Creativity does the tricks for Murray

Wanaka skier Craig Murray celebrates his maiden win on the Freeride World Tour, which was staged...
Wanaka skier Craig Murray celebrates his maiden win on the Freeride World Tour, which was staged in Canada. Italy's Markus Eder (left) finished second and Canada's Logan Pehota third. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Wanaka skier Craig Murray has claimed a win on the second stop of the 2019 Freeride World Tour in British Columbia, Canada.

The 20-year-old is one of the youngest on the tour and this was his first victory.

Murray had a strong start to the tour when he finished fifth in the first competition of the season in Hakuba, Japan on January 19.

He impressed the judges and spectators with the biggest trick of the day, a huge 720 thrown at the top of the course.

Murray took a similar approach to the competition in Canada, making his way to a big drop near the top of the course in order to line up a stylish 360, before flat-spinning across the transfer and then heading for a third air.

The judges rewarded his creative use of the course with high marks for air and style, scoring him 93 points from a possible 100.

Italy's Markus Eder was second on 92 points and Canada's Logan Pehota was third.

"I changed my decision on the line at the last minute and ended up going to the skier's right," Murray said.

"It was a super fun line. I did a couple of tricks that I really enjoy doing and was really happy to land clean.

"I was really nervous at the bottom sitting in the hot seat waiting for lots of incredible riders to come down after me, much more nervous than I was at the top of the run.

"So I really couldn't believe I walked away with the top spot today.

"It was incredible for me to have my first win on the Freeride World Tour and it was amazing to do it with a good bunch of Kiwi friends out here."

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