Aspen, Colo., January 26, 2013 – In what was a close – and well attended with over 47,000 people — battle for gold, veteran Kelly Clark, 29, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., managed to gain a slight lead over silver medalist Elena Hight in her third and final run. Hight was leading for the majority of the competition after she landed the first-ever – by any male or female – backside ally-oop double rodeo 900.

“I was pretty blown away that I landed that,” said Hight.

Clark edged Hight out with huge amplitude, boosting 14-feet out the SuperPipe, and technical back-to-back tricks, including a frontside 1080 to a cab 720 to a frontside 900.

“All the women rode great tonight, I’m so proud of Elena, it was a great night for women’s snowboarding,” said Kelly “This was the most difficult run I’ve ever done in terms of amplitude and technical tricks, in that perspective I’m extremely proud to be on top of this sport that’s progressing at a rapid pace.”

Bronze went to X Games rookie, Arielle Gold, 16, of Breckenridge, Colo. who was granted a place in the final only three days prior when veteran Gretchen Bleiler pulled herself out of the competition. Gold’s best-scoring run included a frontside 900, backside 540 to frontside 540 and a frontside 720 to a cab 900.

“I’m still in shock, I’m so unbelievably excited,” she said, “This could’ve been anyone’s contest.”