WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup heads to Atlanta for its third event of the season, with an intense battle expected in the women's field.
Johanne Killi of Norway will hope to pick up where she left off last weekend's Air & Style event in Beijing, where she finished in first place.
Killi sits second overall in the Big Air World Cup standings with 150 points, ten behind Switzerland's Giulia Tanno, who finished second in Beijing.
Despite sitting out in Beijing following a heavy crash in training, Tanno's compatriot Mathilde Gremaud still ranks third overall, and the reigning Crystal Globe winner and 2018 Olympic slopestyle silver medallist remains a title favorite.
In the men's section, Norway's Birk Ruud is the man to beat after he became the first person ever to land a double misty 1800 in Beijing, winning the competition and taking the yellow World Cup leader's bib.
Teal Harle from Canada is targeting his first Big Air World Cup win after falling just 0.25 points behind Ruud in Beijing.
Sweden's Jesper Tjader, Andri Ragettli and Kim Gubser of Switzerland, and Elias Syrja of Finland are other names to watch this weekend.
Led by Alexander Hall, U.S. skiers are also hoping to fight for glory on home snow.
Victorious at the X Games Norway and the World Cup season opener in Modena, Hall is poised to battle for top spot. He will be accompanied by 2014 Olympic slopestyle bronze medalist Nicholas Goepper, and Cody Leplante.
The Atlanta event will be held on Saturday, December 21.
