Winter X Europe 2011: JF Houle Wins Slopestyle Gold In France

Rockstar skier, JF Houle, scores himself a gold medal at the 2011 Winter X Games in Europe. Houle persevered in the face of all challenges and came out victorious.

JF Houle's childhood dream of reaching the X Games podium came true at the 2011 Winter X Europe in Tignes, France, where JF earned himself a gold medal in Ski Slopestyle.

Earlier that week, Houle laid down runs that put him first in the qualifying heats, and then again on top of the heap in the finals, despite difficult weather conditions that forced competitors to battle speed and visibility issues throughout the event. Houle tamed things down for his first run, with a nosebutter 450 onto the flat-down box, a rodeo 7 on the first jump, a 450-on 270-off the flat-down rail, a180 over the snow gap to switch 270-on 270-off on the down box.

"I think I'm dreaming still," said JF Houle. "Since I was a little kid, I have been dreaming about this day! Can't believe it still! It happened! Gold medal at X Games. Thanks to everyone of you who always support me! LOVING LIFE as always!"

JF Houle closed out the final two jumps in France with a double cork 1080 japan and 1 right 900 reverse mute. While he and the rest of the field had bigger plans for their following runs, the worsening weather conditions put a damper on things, and JF's first run score ended up keeping him in the top spot for the remainder of the day.