ShredOn Magazine

US Open | Halfpipe Finals

BUSO Halfpipe Finals | Opener

Stratton got literally invaded on this weekend by thousands of people, who just were up to see to see world class snowboarding, entertaining music acts and an overall great free event. Three major titles were awarded yesterday at the 29th annual US Open, making it one of the biggest days in competitive snowboarding worldwide.

Kelly Clark (USA) won a record-breaking 5th US Open Halfpipe Title and her 1st Burton Global Open Series (BGOS) Championship. Due to that, she was one of the two lucky riders, to take home a huge 50’000 USD prizing money in her also brand new MINI Countryman. On the men’s side, it was Peetu Piiroinen (FIN), who got his second consecutive BGOS Championship Title. Kazuhiro Kokubo (JPN) earned his 2nd consecutive US Open title, in Halfpipe competition.

“It’s been an incredible season,” said Kelly Clark. “Not only am I happy with the level of my riding, I’ve also had more fun than ever, and my results speak for that. The Open is one of my favorite events, and I feel privileged to have the most halfpipe wins on record. It’s also huge for me to win the Burton Global Open Series title because it’s the one award that’s been elusive for me, so I’m super happy to walk away with it.”

The day started with the women’s Halfpipe Finals, where local hero Kelly Clark (USA) stole the show in one of the most exciting women’s final competitions of the entire season. Meanwhile the rest of the girls, tried to get the right shape for their runs, Kelly took a healthy lead from the beginning and put down an outstanding performance with a 91.05 score. Olympic gold medalist Hannah Teter (USA) was up to Kelly’s toes, trying to catch her and went big and technically strong in her second run, starting out with a huge Method followed by a FS 900 Stalefish, a BS 540 Melon grab and a FS 720 Stalefish. But Kelly kept topping her own scores and rode her own competition kind of. Kelly’s winning run started out with a huge 900 Indy grab, a BS 540 Mute grab and a 1080 (!!!). Kelly has had one of the best seasons in the history of snowboarding, and her win today made this her 8th consecutive win for the season.

The men’s finals where big. Lots of huge Cab Double Corks, a Double Crippler, a 1260 and large doses of style throughout the entire competition. Las year’s US Open Halfpipe Champ Kazuhiro Kokubo (JPN), held onto his title for his second consecutive year with a run that started off with a nice FS Alley Oop Nosebone, FS 900 Melon grab, Michaelchuck Nose grab (!), FS Double Cork 1080 and a Cab 1080 Melon. Iouri “iPod“ Podladtchikov (SUI) had a solid first run that earned him second place in yesterday’s Finals. The 3rd place went to Japanese pro Kohei Kudo (JPN), who joined his fellow rider Kazuhiro Kokubo on the podium. Kazu’s third run turned into a victory lap, knowing already his 3rd place safe, what gave him the idea to simply ride straight down the bottom of the pipe with a huge smile on his face and his arms held high, being his prayer for Japan, referring to the actual desaster his homecountry is living through.

“I’m so stoked and so happy,” said Kazuhiro Kokubo “I want to say thanks to my sponsors, family and friends, and I hope my win brings a little joy and happiness to Japan.”

In addition to the Halfpipe and BGOS Championship Titles, this year’s Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champions Peetu Piiroinen (FIN) and Jamie Anderson (USA) were also officially crowned and awarded with 50’000 USD each.

Women’s Halfpipe Finals Results
1. Kelly Clark (USA) BURTON 94.95 $20,000
2. Hannah Teter (USA) BURTON 88.10 $10,000
3. Gretchen Bleiler (USA) K2 86.30 $5,000

Men’s Halfpipe Finals Results
1. Kazuhiro Kokubo (JPN) BURTON 90.10 $20,000
2. Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI) TSG 88.60 $10,000
3. Kohei Kudo (JPN) OAKLEY 87.90 $5,000

Burton Global Open Series Men’s Final Results
1. Peetu Piiroinen (FIN) BURTON $50,000 and a MINI Countryman
2. Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI) TSG $30,000
3. Christian Haller (SUI) BURTON $20,000

Burton Global Open Series Women’s Final Results
1. Kelly Clark (USA) BURTON $50,000 and a MINI Countryman
2. Jamie Anderson (USA) BILLABONG $30,000
3. Kjersti Buaas (NOR) ROXY $20,000