Defending champion Jasmine Baird squeaks through big air qualifying in Edmonton

Canadian rider Jasmine Baird will have the chance to defend her FIS Big Air Snowboard title at Commonwealth Stadium. But she had to sweat out a nervous qualifying process first.

Baird, who won the women's title on the scaffolding ramp at Commonwealth Stadium in 2022, entered the third and final run of qualifying in eighth position. Only eight riders make Saturday's final, so she was on the bubble.

The Georgetown, Ont.-raised rider landed a double 900 flip, and her combined score of 141.50 was good enough to keep her in eighth place. She had to wait for four more riders to complete their third and final jumps, but none could budge her from the final qualifying spot.

"There wasn't much I could do but sit and wait, and hope," said Baird.

Baird landed all three of her jumps. In World Cup qualifying. Two of three jumps count towards the final score. Her other scoring trick was a 720 backside with a Weddle grab.

"I'm happy I landed my tricks," she said. "The first one wasn't as clean as I wanted, but the other two felt good and now we'll see."

Canadian Jasmine Baird tops the Big Air podium in front of the home crowd