FINCH TAKES THE ONEILL EVOLUTION HALFPIPE TITLE
Sat 05 January 08
Go big or go home! The “Finnish” finals for the Swatch TTR SIX(6)STAR O’Neill Evolution Halfpipe competition hosted huge air and mind blowing tricks from some of the best snowboarders in the business. Any Finch (USA) blew away the competition taking first by almost 30 points, going bigger than any rider in the field which moved him into World No. 4 by just two TTR Ranking Points. The podium was rounded out with Risto Mattila (FIN) in second, and Janne Korpi (FIN) taking third.
Although Chas Guldemond (USA) didn’t make it through to the halfpipe finals, he still stomped a solid run to the cheers of an enormous, energetic crowd placing 11th in his heat and 26th overall and earning 508.17 ranking points moving him into current World Nr. 3. Andy threw down the winning run on his second attempt with a Frontside Air, to a Backside Rodeo 5, to a Frontside 10, to a McTwist, finishing with an Alley-oop.
Andy was stoked with his results but knew that things are just getting started both in Davos, and in the TTR Rankings: “It’s not over yet! But I’m in the Top 5 now, which is good! We’ll see how things go. My goal is the TTR this year and that’s what I’m going after and this is a good win! The Lord’s been watching over me so far, and the risk is pretty big when you’re going that high. Going into tomorrow, sleep! I need to rest the legs out. Today was a long day of QP practice, HP practice, Highest Air, Semi-finals and finals. It was a big day!”
Risto Mattila’s second run was equally as technical, but didn’t have the amplitude that Andy boasted, completing a Backside Air to a Frontside 10, to a Cab7, to a Frontside 9, to a Mctwist. Risto earned 942.30 Swatch TTR ranking points with his podium finish pushing him into current World No. 9. Janne Korpi’s 3rd place run was smooth with a Backside 5, to Frontside 10, to Cab 7, to an Air to Fakie and finishing with a Cab 9.
And just like Andy said, it’s not over yet. With the Quarterpipe event on the horizon and another 1000 ranking points in the midst, Chas, Andy, Risto and all the others will battle until their legs are numb, moving from a multiple transition line, to a one-transition hit.
New changes in the TTR Rankings after this evening’s halfpipe session set up a massive TTR battle of California for tomorrow night’s Quarterpipe competition, between riders Chas Guldemond (USA) and Andy Finch. Andy must finish exactly ten places higher than Chas to take Swatch TTR World No. 1. Even if Andy wins the Quarterpipe Title, Chas must place outside the Top 10. However, if Chas makes the podium, he’ll move into World No. 1 with an unassailable lead.
The tricks, airtime and drama are only going to get more intense as the fight for Swatch TTR World No 1 continues in Davos at the SIX(6)STAR O’Neill Evolution.
Top 10 Results for Halfpipe:
- Andy Finch USA Rip Curl
- Risto Mattila FIN Flow
- Janne Korpi FIN O’Neill
- Gary Zebrowski FRA Nitro
- Peetu Piiroinen FIN Burton
- Markku Koski FIN Quiksilver
- Antti Autti FIN Flow
- Markus Malin FIN Salomon
- Gian Simmen SUI O’Neill
- Iouri Podladtchikov SUI Santa Cruz
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