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Change has been constant in 34 years of the Burton US Open. Arguably the most apparent of those changes is size: bigger jumps, taller pipe walls, higher airs.

But what hasn’t changed is the stoke.

Fresh corduroy instilled sanity in our minds before settling in on the pipe deck for an eclectic collection of snowboarders to air over our heads. Six women and and ten men advanced to halfpipe finals today, all riding the most precision-built stunt ditch in snowboarding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmjN7widgH4

The bar for women’s pipe riding is at a level higher than ever, raised largely by the young Chloe Kim absolutely launching over the competition. She led the field with Xuetong Cai and Hannah Teter following closely behind, and icon Kelly Clark holding it down in fourth. After what we saw today, this weekend will undoubtedly be a milestone for progression in women’s pipe riding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJAWTGLNgP4

Despite Shaun White’s massive first hit or Danny Davis winning the heart of the crowd, the real phenom today was 14-year-old Judd Henkes. Earning his place in the main competition after winning the Junior Jam, Judd took no prisoners and displayed why there is no other stage in competitive snowboarding like the Burton US Open.

Every rider that dropped into that halfpipe today put it on the line.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the 34th Annual Burton US Open in Vail, Colorado

In Vail? Check out the event schedule.

Women’s halfpipe semi final results

Men’s halfpipe semi final results