Feestyle skier Nico Porteous has won a gold medal in the X-Games superpipe competition.
The kiwi snatched gold with a superb last run. The result ensured that he defended the title he first won at Aspen, Colorado last year.
Porteous’ final run was described by ESPN commentators as “the most incredible run we’ve ever seen”.
Trailing in fourth after the opening round – behind older brother Miguel – the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic bronze medalist improved onto the podium with his second attempt and held third spot.
With his final attempt Porteous left nothing to chance, unleashing the best run of his career under intense pressure to pass American leader Aaron Blunck.
Key to his success was his first successful attempt at a switch left double 1440, followed by back-to-back double 1620’s and finishing off with a left alley oop double 900.
Miguel Porteous finished seventh, with fellow Kiwi Ben Harrington eighth.
