Today’s momentous first US Open at Vail exceeded all expectations, with the best snowboarders in the world treating a record-breaking crowd to some of the most progressive riding in the history of the sport.
Coming off of his 6th consecutive X Games win, Shaun White put together an unbeatable second run at the US Open with a top score of 95.58, earning him his fifth US Open men’s halfpipe victory – in addition to his two US Open men’s slopestyle titles. His winning trick combination included a backside air, frontside 1080 double cork stalefish grab, Cab 1080 double cork melon grab,frontside 540 stalefish grab, backside 1260 double McTwist mute grab, to a frontside 1260 double cork stalefish grab. Shaun also claimed the top five highest trick scores of the day.
“It was incredible to get my fifth US Open halfpipe title in Vail, and hands down, this is the best pipe of the year,” said Shaun White. “I'm pretty happy to end my season with a win at the US Open.”
Fourteen-year-old phenom Ayumu Hirano secured second place at the US Open with his game-changing style, earning a score of 87.40. Today, Ayumu also became the World Snowboard Tour Halfpipe Champion for 2013, earning a place in snowboard history as the youngest rider ever to claim this honorable title. Louie Vito rounded out the podium in third with an overall score of 79.58.
Kelly Clark US Open Halfpipe Winner
Burton US Open
The women’s competition was equally as impressive, with Kelly Clark taking an early lead and earning an unprecedented sixth US Open halfpipe championship title. Kelly’s huge winning run scored an 84.45 and included a frontside 1080 indy grab, Cab 720 mute grab, lien air, backside 540 mute grab to a frontside 720 stalefish grab. Kelly made snowboarding history in so many ways today: she now has the most halfpipe titles in US Open history, she earned her third World Snowboard Tour title, and most impressively, she now can claim 61halfpipe wins – the most for any rider, male or female in snowboarding history.
“Being the winningest US Open champ is such an honor, it’s a big win for me today, especially since I grew up going to this event and it inspired me to be a snowboarder,” said Kelly Clark.
The remaining two female podium spots switched up constantlythroughout the halfpipe finals. When it was all said and done, Olympic goldmedalist Hannah Teter landed in second with a score of 82.13 and Burton European Open 2013 winner Arielle Gold, who had the highest scoring trick of the contest with her frontside 900 mute grab, took third place with a score of 80.88.
Additionally, the $3,000 Nokia Rookie Award for halfpipe was presented today to Chloe Kim and Taylor Gold, who both earned the award through a combination of their standings on the World Snowboard Points List, individual competition results and progressive riding.
If you missed any of the action from the 31st annual Burton US Open, check your local listings to watch re-airings from Vail on Universal Sports and NBC Sports Network, plus original coverage, additional airings, run replays, full webcasts, broadcast schedules and more on www.Burton.com/USO. And remember to follow our line at facebook.com/burtonsnowboards, facebook.com/BurtonEurope, #BurtonUSOpen, twitter.com/burtonsnowboard and @burtonsnowboard on Instagram.
Men’s Halfpipe Final Results:
1. Shaun White USA, BURTON, 95.58 – $45,000
2. Ayumu Hirano JPN, BURTON, 87.40 – $20,000
3. Louie Vito USA, RED BULL, 79.58 – $10,000
Women’s Halfpipe Final Results:
1. Kelly Clark USA, BURTON, 84.45 – $45,000
2. Hannah Teter USA, BURTON, 82.13 – $20,000
3. Arielle Gold USA, BURTON, 80.88 – $10,000
