Red Bull PlayStreets, last held in 2011, converts the normally idyllic town of Bad Gastein, Austria, into a full-on slopestyle course that runs from rooftop to rooftop. The fifth edition, held on Saturday, featured 22 of the world's best freestyle skiers, including 2011 champion Elias Ambuhl.
But it was the 2007 champion who took the title. With extraordinary freestyle skills, Canadian Charles Gagnier secured himself his second spot on the Red Bull PlayStreets Walk of Fame.
Bobby Brown/Erwin Polanc/Red Bull Media HouseIt took 780 truckloads of snow to build the white shimmering stage for the who's who of the international freestyle skiing scene to display their skills. Surrounded by a stunning mountain view, the athletes from 10 different nations sped down the streets and over the rooftops amidst the sights of the Bad Gastein town center.
Erwin Polanc/Red Bull Media HouseThe global freestyle elite, many of whom had already made their names at the Freeride World Tour or the X Games, had come from every corner of the world to star Saturday, including Nick Goepper, Bobby Brown, Russ Henshaw and Markus Eder.
Erwin Polanc/Red Bull Media HouseWith only 16-year-old Austrian Luca Tribondeau emerging as the unexpected star in qualifying, it was Gagnier who shone brightest after eight of the best riders topped what had already been freestyle art at it’s best in the final knock-outs.
Charles shared his joy over his second Red Bull PlayStreets star with his younger brother, Vincent, who beat 2011 winner Ambühl, taking the third spot after Gus Kenworthy as number two.
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