Wānaka Freeskier Luca Harrington (20) has won gold in the men’s ski slopestyle at his debut X Games appearance in Aspen, Colarado.

Luca has been training on the course as an alternate, but got the start list call up late last night (January 24) ahead of today’s competition.

“I have been so grateful to be able to train throughout the sessions with everyone and get ready to go and to be a competitor,” Luca said.

“I was not sure it was going to happen, then last night after my big air training I got the email saying I was in. I was super excited and had a hard time sleeping, I was buzzing in my bed. 

“Today was incredible I am so grateful I got to sneak onto the start list.”

As the rookie on course, Luca had nothing to lose and left it all out there in the playoffs, qualifying through to finals in top spot. 

Luca put down a flawless first run in the final, which included a right double corked 900 bring back Japan grab and switch right triple corked 1620 with an esco grab (winning combo from the Klagenfurt Big Air World Cup earlier this month) on the last two jumps. It was the best run of the night.

Switzerland’s Andri Ragettli claimed the silver medal, with USA’s Mac Forehand taking the bronze on home snow.

Luca Harrington on course in the Men’s Ski Slopestyle at the 2025 Aspen X Games.

Luca will next be in action in the men’s ski big air tomorrow (Sunday 26) at 4.30pm.

PHOTO: Trevor Brown Jr. / X Games