New Zealand snowboarder Zoi Sadowski Synnott. Photo: AFP
Wānaka snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has pulled out of the Snowboard Big Air finals in Switzerland after taking a tumble in practice.
Less than an hour before the start of the final, Sadowski-Synnott fell during a practice run - and she was not the only one.
Germany's Annika Morgan was also a DNS (Did Not Start), and the eight-women final suddenly became a six-women final, opening the door to other contenders.
Last weekend Sadowski-Synnott was crowned the 2025 FIS Snowboard Slopestyle World Champion in Switzerland for a third time, after taking gold in the final.
The 24-year-old was the top qualifier for this morning's Big Air final and was in a prime position to achieve double-gold at this year's world championships.
Sadowski-Synnott missed most of 2024 with an injury, but the Olympic and world champion has been in sublime form on her return.
Japan took a clean sweep on the podium with Kokomo Murase winning gold, and Reira Iwabuchi, and Mari Fukada, second and third respectively.
Snow Sports NZ told RNZ Sadowski-Synnott was attempting her backside triple-cork 1440 when she crashed.
"After the crash the tight team made the call to withdraw from today's competition. We expect to see Zoi back on snow in the coming weeks."
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