Two-time Winter Olympics snowboard halfpipe medalist Kelly Clark won the opening Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, CO on Saturday.
Seeking redemption, after falling in her first attempt, Clark nailed her second run in finishing atop a strong international field with a 92.60 score.
She threw down a formidable set of tricks: frontside 9, backside 5, frontside 7 tail, cab 7, frontside 5 to a method air in her typical methodical, high-air style.
“It's never ideal to fall first run in finals. It definitely puts the pressure on, but I just tried to stay focused and I really looked at it as an opportunity to overcome instead of a threat to take away my goal for the day,” said Clark.
Rising compatriot boarder Maddy Schaffrick, who returned to the pipe for the first time since a knee injury eighteen months ago, nabbed second with a superb first run of 86.80. Spain’s Quera Castelet rounded-out the podium with an 84.80 mark.
Fellow Winter Olympics medalists Gretchen Bleiler and Hannah Teter finished eighth and ninth, respectively.
U.S. Men Go 1-2-3
American boarders swept the podium in the men’s ranks at this Copper Mountain 22' halfpipe. Luke Mitriani threw down a blistering first run to lock the win by a 1.2 point margin. His 96.40 trek featured a double Michalchuk, frontside 9, backside Indy, frontside 10, and cab double-cork 10.
The surprised Mitriani said, “This is crazy because I didn't even snowboard this summer. I just skateboarded a lot and took my mind off snowboarding, so to jump back into it is crazy to win a contest.”
Louie Vito (95.20) and Greg Bretz (94.20), both members of Team USA’s squad in the Vancouver Olympics, grabbed the second and third spots with phenomenal treks.
“This was a pretty intense day. Everyone was throwing down and riding super well. But that's what's great about riding with everyone and having the Grand Prix. There are so many good riders and it pushes you to step it up,” said Vito.
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