Maiden World Cup slopestyle medal for Aussie Harrigan

Australian winter Olympian Abi Harrigan has enjoyed a terrific career breakthrough by winning her first World Cup freestyle skiing medal, a silver, in the slopestyle at the French resort of Tignes.

The 22-year-old prospect from Jindabyne, NSW, put down a superb second run in the French Alps on Friday to secure Australia's first slopestyle podium on the global stage since Russ Henshaw in 2017.

She was also just the second Australian woman to medal in the event since former X-Games and world champion Anna Segal 12 years ago.

"Feeling pretty surreal to get my first podium here at Tignes," said Harrigan, who reckoned she felt refreshed and motivated after a recent key training bloc.

"I got a lot of stuff done, but also just had a blast skiing and love the sport so much right now which has given me a new mindset towards competing."

In the best-of-two-runs final in the French Alps, Harrigan's first outing scored her 67.85, but she improved on the final run to post a score of 75.41 that only Briton Kirsty Muir (77.98) could top.

The bronze went to New Zealander Ruby Star Andrews (72.75), while Harrigan's 17-year-old teammate Daisy Thomas finished in eighth (59.83) in the 10-woman final.

"This is the best thing leading into the world championships. It's definitely going to give me a big confidence boost. Just stoked to ski a new course and see what we can get done," said Harrigan, who finished 11th overall in the World Cup standings, with Thomas 17th.

The world championships will be held in St Moritz, Switzerland, next week, with slopestyle qualification on March 19 with the finals the following day.