In the women’s event, it was 18-year-old Hannah Faulhaber who came through with the biggest performance of her career, upsetting some of the favorites on her way to her first international win on the biggest stage of the season and walking away from Georgia as the new halfpipe World Champion.

Faulhaber was on fire on day long, boosting the biggest airs in the women’s competition and landing one solid run after another. Sitting in the second spot after the second run Faulhaber stepped things up yet again on her final run of the day, starting with a massive straight air tail grab and then lacing a nice combo of left 900 safety, right flair critical, and her brand new switch right 720 Japan, before finishing things off with a left 540 Japan for a final score of 95.75 points.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Faulhaber smiled from the finish area, “I’m on the verge of tears right now. I’m just, so stoked…I can’t believe it. I’m just so stoked to be up here, skiing this amazing pipe with these amazing people to be around. It’s amazing.”

Second place on the day went to Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin, as the 20-year-old claimed her second career World Championships podium by adding silver to her bronze medal from Aspen 2021. On her second run of the day, Atkin stomped a run of left 540 mute, right 720 lead tail, switch left 720 safety, right 540 lead tail, right alley top 360 safety, and finally, a switch left alley-oop 360 for a final score of 94.50

Canada’s Rachel Karker rounded out the podium in third place, as the pre-event favorite walked away with her second World Championships medal - though likely not the one she was hoping for. Karker kicked the competition off strong in run one, putting down a right 900 Japan, left 900 Japan, right flair high safety, left 720 safety, and finals finishing things off with a switch left alley-oop 360. However, a missed grab on her final hit likely hurt her score, and she would have to settle for a 92.25 and the bronze medal.