Wānaka’s medal streak at the Aspen X Games continued this afternoon (January 25) with Rocco Jamieson (18) bringing home the bronze medal in the men’s snowboard big air at his X Games debut.

The level of riding was extremely competitive with a score in the 90’s not enough to guarantee a ticket to the finals. The playoffs saw the first 2160 rotation (six full times around) landed in competition, and then it was landed two more times with different variations of take-off direction by two more athletes.

As the youngest athlete in the field, Rocco stood out with his unmistakable style, stomping a frontside 1800 bloody Dracula grab in his first run during playoffs. The judges loved it and rewarded him with a 94.00 which saw him qualify for the final in second place.

The final saw tricks taken to a new level when Japan’s Hiroto Ogiwara landed a 2340 mute grab for the first time in history, an incredible six and half full rotations. He was awarded a 97.33 which was the top score of the day.

Rocco put down his frontside 1800 bloody Dracula grab once again, with a clean take off and stomped landing. For his second finals run, he dug even deeper and attempted a 2160 but didn’t quite stick the landing.

Ogiwara took the win with his historical run and his compatriot, 2024 X Games gold medallist Taiga Hasegawa, finished in silver medal position.

The action continues tomorrow in Aspen, with Kiwi’s competing in women’s ski slopestyle, men’s ski big air and men’s ski superpipe.

PHOTO: Brett Wilhelm / X Games