The momentum of the Japanese contingent continued at the US Grand Prix at Mammoth on Saturday, with four out of the six podiums spots clinched by Ayumu Hirano (first place, men’s), Ruka Hirano (second place, men’s), and first and third on the women’s side going to sisters Ruki and Sena Tomita, respectively. Germany’s Andre Hoeflich landed in third place for the men and Xuetong Cai, a consistent force in the women’s competition, notched another trophy with a second place finish.
Notably absent was Shaun White, who went DNS in finals. Chloe Kim and Maddie Mastro did not compete as they both had already secured enough points to earn their spots on the team.
Men’s Halfpipe finals results:
1st – Ayumu Hirano
2nd – Ruka Hirano
3rd – Andre Hoeflich
Women’s Halfpipe finals results:
1st – Ruki Tomita
2nd – Xuetong Cai
3rd – Sena Tomita
For the qualifications for the US Team, which were announced on Saturday night, Chloe and Maddie were nominated to the team, but no male riders were named. For the remaining spots, it looks like it will come down to the Laax Open, which goes down January 11-15th. The highest scoring US riders at Mammoth were. Zoe Kalapos was the next-highest scoring American, though she did not make finals, in 11th place overall. On the men’s side, it was Lucas Foster in 5th, Joey Okesson in 7th, and Shaun White in 12th.
Watch the replay of the competition below.
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