The sun was out and the temperature was warming up, allowing you to see for miles over the peaks of Vermont. Even during practice it was obvious that this would be a great day to spend up on the mountain. The morning started out with men’s slopestyle qualifiers with 10 of the 40 riders advancing to join 22 invited riders in the semi finals. Riders were hungry and threw down all morning risking it all so they would be able advance.
Throughout the day the intense sun softened up the course, but park crew was on point throwing salt and keeping the jumps raked for the riders. A slight delay, due to loss of power to the lift, led to a slightly late start to practice. The women hit the course first early in the afternoon but in the end it was Jamie Anderson followed by Kjersti Buass, and Spencer O’Brien taking the top three spots to advance to finals joined by 5 others.
The men’s event followed and the level of riding was extremely high. Everyone was gunning for the top spots and doubles were being thrown, made to look as easy as a walk in the park. Skiers going by on neighboring trails stopped to watch as rider after rider flew through the air spinning over the Vermont landscape. Sebastien Toutant, the last rider to go, was able to stomp his run with the highest score to secure his place in the final. Maxence Parrot and Janne Korpi, had runs that impressed the judges enough giving to get them into the finals where they will have a chance to try and beat Seb.
The riders will be battling it out for the top spot in the finals for the chance to place first at the US Open and take home part of the $240,000 cash purse. Make sure to tune in Friday, March 9 on Universal Sports Network at 10-11am for the women’s finals, and 1:30-3:00pm for the men’s finals.
Words & Photos: Ben Girardi
Men's Slopestyle Semi-Finals Results | ||
Rank | Name | Country |
1. | Sebastien Toutant | CAN |
2. | Maxence Parrot | CAN |
3. | Janne Korpi | FIN |
4. | Sage Kotsenburg | USA |
5. | Ulrick Badertscher | NOR |
6. | Seppe Smits | BEL |
7. | Emil Ulsletten | NOR |
8. | Robby Balharry | CAN |
9. | Eric Beauchemin | USA |
10. | Christian Haller | SUI |
11. | Brage Richenberg | NOR |
12. | Hans Mindnich | USA |
13. | Ian Thorley | USA |
14. | Antoine Truchon | CAN |
Women's Slopestyle Semi-Finals Results | ||
Rank | Name | Country |
1. | Jamie Anderson | USA |
2. | Kjersti Østgaard Buaas | NOR |
3. | Spencer O´Brien | CAN |
4. | Shelly Gotlieb | NZL |
5. | Joanna Dzierzawski | USA |
6. | Jordie Karlinski | USA |
If you can’t make it to Stratton, check out four days of live webcasts starting today at Redbull.tv. In addition to coverage of the competitions, Redbull.tv will also provide live scoring, live chats, live standings, competition rankings and rider bios so the viewer can have a more interactive role.
2012 US Open Competition & Entertainment Schedule
Thursday, March 8 – Halfpipe Semi-Finals
Friday, March 9 – Slopestyle Finals & FREE performance by ‘Super Mash Bros.’
Saturday, March 10 – Halfpipe Finals & FREE performance by ‘Method Man and Redman’
Sunday, March 11 – Junior Jam
Follow our line at facebook.com/burtonsnowboards and twitter.com/burtonsnowboard hashtag #burtonopen.