Heading into the world cup slopestyle competition in Mammoth, Calif., Yukon freestyle skier Etienne Geoffroy-Gagnon was coming off the best performance of his world cup career with a sixth place finish in Italy.

Over the weekend, Geoffroy-Gagnon was back on the slopes and outdid his previous best, this time placing fifth.

“I’m super stoked,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “This was definitely a big one. It was pretty close to being on the podium.

“It’s been nice to put down runs in finals compared to last year.”

He posted a 91 in the qualifiers, the third-best score. Because of where he placed in the opening round, he was one of the last to drop into the course for finals.

Geoffroy-Gagnon said his first run of finals was a throwaway, although he didn’t fall.

“I didn’t get enough speed on the final jump and I messed up a rail,” he said.

He came back much stronger with his second run and scored 85.70.

Geoffroy-Gagnon said the judges use a different scoring system in qualifiers compared to finals. That’s why the scores often seem lower.

In qualifiers, they judge overall, but in finals, each feature is worth 10 points, in Mammoth there were three rails and three jumps, plus an additional 40 points.

“The scores in finals are always lower,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I did my way better run in the finals. I’m just pumped the judges are liking what I’m doing.”

He said he has been meeting the goals he set out for at the beginning of the season, but still has his eyes set on the podium.

“I’m still figuring out what I need to do, it’s always a learning process,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “This is a big confidence booster. I’m definitely getting there and I’ll be going for those podium finishes.

“Those two results are what I’ve been striving for.”

Although he has been successful in his last events, Geoffroy-Gagnon said he is keeping his goals the same.

“I want to get into more finals and land runs,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon.

“At this point, I’m just moving along with what’s happening. Some of my bigger goals are in reach now.

“I was focusing on making finals first but now I’m looking to possibly land on the podium.

With his past two results, he will not have to compete in the upcoming NorAm competition in Calgary. Instead, it will allow him to rest up and prepare for his next world cup, also in Calgary.

“I’m excited to go to Calgary and train on the jumps,” he said. “I’m looking forward to training and resting the body. It’s nice to put the time into bigger competitions.”

Geoffroy-Gagnon said there has only been one other slopestyle world cup competition in Canada and that he is excited to compete on home soil and on a familiar course.

“I’ve landed good runs in Calgary,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “It does add a bit more pressure because that’s where we do some training.”

He’s also excited for an event in Canada because his family and friends will be able to come watch him compete.

“It’s exciting to perform in front of Canadian fans,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “And my mom.”

Calgary will be the penultimate event of his season He is still waiting to hear if he has a spot at the world cup in Switzerland. He said with his past results he has a good shot at going.

“Switzerland is the biggest course we ski,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon.

“It’s where everyone is at top level and dialled in. I’m hoping I’ll be up there landing my best runs.”