Hosking at home in Snow Rodeo, and Guseli reining it in

Canadian snowboard fans were given a night to remember at the Calgary Halfpipe World Cup, as Elizabeth Hosking claimed an emotional first career World Cup victory on home snow, while Australia’s Valentino Guseli returned to the top step of the podium in the men’s competition.

Hosking’s win marked a historic moment for Canadian women’s halfpipe snowboarding. The 24-year-old became the first Canadian woman in more than two decades to win a Halfpipe World Cup at home, igniting celebrations among the Calgary crowd.

A Breakthrough Moment for Hosking

The women’s final opened Saturday night with Hosking one of three Canadians in the 10-rider final. She set the tone early, posting a good score on her opening run, a score that proved decisive as few riders managed to improve in challenging conditions.

Hosking’s winning run flowed from a frontside 720 melon into a Haakon flip 720 mute, followed by a frontside cork 540, backside 540 mute, and a towering frontside 900 melon on her final hit. A clean landing sealed her place at the top of the podium.

“This is crazy. I mean, to get my first World Cup win on home soil is insane. I have no words,” Hosking said afterward.

China’s Wu Shaotong finished second, while Switzerland’s Isabelle Loetscher rounded out the podium.

Hosking’s victory was the first by a Canadian woman at a Halfpipe World Cup since Maelle Ricker won in Valle Nevado in 2002.

“Maelle is a legend in Halfpipe snowboarding and in boardercross, wow! To be writing my name up there with hers is an honor.” – Hosking

Loetscher’s third place was also significant, ending a run of 14 consecutive women’s Halfpipe World Cup events without a European rider on the podium. The last European podium finish before Calgary came in February 2023, also in Calgary.

Guseli Back Where He Belongs

In the men’s final, Guseli delivered a composed and confident performance to secure his second career Halfpipe World Cup victory, once again in Calgary, the site of his first World Cup win.

The 20-year-old laid down an opening run featuring a backside alley-oop 360 nosegrab, cab double cork 1080 mute, frontside 1260 tailgrab to melon, backside 720 nosegrab, and a switch backside 900 mute to finish. With the win already secured as the final rider to drop, Guseli capped the night with a celebratory victory lap.

“It was the most fun run I’ve had in this pipe all week, I’m happy to end my time in this pipe like that.” – Valentino Guseli

Switzerland’s David Habluetzel finished second, earning the first World Cup podium of his career in his 37th start and just his third competition since returning from a knee injury. Third place went to Patrick Burgener, who became the first Brazilian rider to podium at a FIS Snowboard Park & Pipe World Cup after switching national teams from Switzerland to Brazil ahead of the season.

Guseli’s win followed his third-place finish in Copper before the Christmas break and marked a strong return to form after injury setbacks last season.

“I’m stoked. Calgary has always treated me very nicely and I was happy to be back in Canada after a two-year hiatus. It feels good to be back.” – Valentino Guseli

The victory also ended a remarkable streak of 30 consecutive men’s Halfpipe World Cup events featuring at least one Japanese rider on the podium, a rare off-day for a nation that has dominated the discipline in recent years.

Eyes on the Olympic Countdown

With just two Halfpipe World Cup events remaining before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the results in Calgary carried added weight. The circuit continues with the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen from 7–10 January, followed by the Laax Open from 15–18 January. The Olympic Quota Allocation List will be published on 19 January 2026.

For Hosking and Guseli, Calgary provided not only career-defining moments, but also a timely confidence boost as the sport edges closer to its biggest stage.