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Swiss clean sweep in mens halfpipe at Evolution 11

Fri 07 January 11

It was halfpipe finals day in Davos on Friday, and Christian Haller pipped Iouri Podladtchikov and Jan Scherrer in the mens final and Kelly Clark was head and shoulders above the field to take the womens title

Swiss clean sweep in mens halfpipe at Evolution 11 © Photo: O'Neill/Philippruggli.ch

Local Davos hero Christian Haller and American halfpipe star Kelly Clark took top honours at the O’Neill Evolution Halfpipe finals in a spectacular day of snowboarding action.

It was a close fought final in the 6Star TTR Men’s competition with the top three on the podium – an all Swiss affair of Christian Haller, Iouri Podladtchikov and Jan Scherrer – exchanging the lead after each heat.

It was Christian however who took the final victory and the $15,000 prize money after his third heat run with a score of 87.45 for a run of a Backside 540 Melon, Frontside 1080 Tail, Cab 1080 Nose and Frontside 900 Mute.

“I’m feeling great. I wouldn’t have expected it – honestly!” he said. “I grew up in Davos and I grew up riding this pipe so it makes it even more speical than a normal win,” said Christian. “It’s also a really good feeling to be on top with two of my best buddies.”

Last year’s winner Iouri Podladtchikov had been leading after his second run of a Cab 720, Frontside Crippler, Backside Double McTwist 1260 and a Frontside 1080 Tail.

“I was thinking that I could have made it two wins in two years after landing my trick. But it feels great to have Christian in front of me. Of course it hurts a bit. But it’s Christian. If it was someone else I would probably be more pissed right now.”

The surprise of the day came from the 16 year old Swiss rider Jan Scherrer who finished third after leading at the end of the first heat. “I was so surprised,” said Jan who goes to school here in Davos. “It’s such a huge result for me!”

The Women’s event saw a different show with Kelly Clark dominating throughout – and the crowd gathered at the bottom of the Jakobshorn loving every move.

“I’ve never been here before,” said Kelly. “But it’s great. Having another first place let alone at a 6star is just great!”

The 27 year old American continues to push women’s riding, her second run consisting of a Frontside 900, Backside 540 Mute, Frontside 720, Indy and Cab 720 Mute.

“The sport is progressing and I just feel honoured to be part of that and part of shaping that,” said Kelly. “I love competing. I thrive in this environment. It causes me to rise to the occasion and have great riding come out. I don’t see myself slowing down any time soon,” she said.

Behind her was the 19 year old Slovenian rider Cilka Sadar in second and the Norwegian rider Kjersti Ostgaard Buaas in third.

“It’s great to finish in the top three of this 6Star TTR event,” said Kjersti. “I found it hard today because of the flat light. I didn’t get to do the tricks I had wanted to, but it’s still a good birthday present for two days ago!”

Don't forget you can watch Saturdays slopstyle finals live from Davos, right here on WSG, just head over to the video section

MEN AND WOMEN’S SLOPESTYLE FINALS
TOMORROW JAN 7th
10:30 12:00 SS Training
12:15 13:30 SS Women Semi Final
14:00 15:00 SS Women Final
15:00 15:15 SS Women Prizegiving
16:00 17:15 SS Men Training
17:30 18:45 SS Men Semi Final 1
19:00 20:15 SS Men Semi Final 2
20:35 21:45 SS Men Final - 10 Riders x 3 runs
21:45 22:00 SS Prizegiving

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