20 skiers, 8 finals spots, 2 jumps apiece — today’s Big Air eliminations at X Games Oslo more than slightly resembled a cage match.

Kai Mahler tweaks the jeebies out of a switch double misty 1260 mute on his way to a sixth-place finish in the qualifiers. Photo: David Malacrida

It was a battle to the death — or at least to the bottom of the trick bag. Today’s Ski Big Air Eliminations at the X Games Oslo more than slightly resembled a cage match, as 20 competitors were given two chances apiece to post a score high enough to claim one of eight coveted finals spots.

Those who skied their way out of the melee included Fabian Boesch from Switzerland, who stomped a massive triple cork 1620 safety clean on the last jump of the day to claim the top qualifying score of 92.66.

Close behind were Øystein Bråten with a well-scored switch double cork 1440 tail grab (90.33) and Henrik Harlaut, whose forward double bio 1260 safety was good enough for 88.33 and the third qualifying spot.

Those who missed the cut included James Woods, who couldn’t grab tail convincingly enough on his double cork 1260 tail to truck driver; Jossi Wells, whose landed a perfect switch double cork 1080 safety on his first run, but couldn’t up the ante on his second; and Vincent Gagnier, who couldn’t put down his highly difficult switch cork 5, pretzel 180 to the judges’ satisfaction.

Our coverage of X Games Olso continues tomorrow with Women’s and Men’s Ski Big Air finals, starting at 16:00 and 18:00 CET respectively. Get the full scoop on the Winter X Games’ return to Europe at our Oslo X Games page.

Full results

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