2009 US Snowboarding Grand Prix Finals VIDEO from YoBeat Magazine on Vimeo.
[Editors’ Note: Today’s original story (which has now been updated) was gleaned entirely from the Twitter feeds of : @tbyrnes, @shayboarder, @burtonsnowboard. Say hello to remote control reporting. Please take a moment to follow them right now.]
Doing what he loves to do today at US Snowboarding Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, Colorado Shaun White dropped in on his first run in the finals and put down his perfect contest run with a front 9, back-to-back double corks, back to back 10’s and landed the highest score of the day a 47.
“It was great. It was a heavy competition. We’re doing tricks that have never been done before. I think today was the heaviest run I’ve ever done in a competition,” White said. “I’m just happy to get through it, get through the weather and be the leader here.” . . . “I’m just excited because now I get a little breathing room before the next event and I think you’re going to see a whole new rider by the time it comes around,” White said.
Aside from Louie Vito (who ended up second) and Greg Bretz, the rest of the men’s field struggled through the first run knowing White was coming up last. Many fell in the process. Ryoh Aono of Japan was taken from the pipe in a sled . “Okay seriously, three landed runs out of 13,” Tricia Byrnes tweeted at the time.
On the women’s side with Hannah Teter out with an injured shoulder Kelly Clark and Gretchen Bleiler were left to battle it out for the top spot. Clark got her first run down but Bleiler fell on her first run, according to Shannon Johnson. The women switched up for the second run and Clark fell and Gretchen landed her run. Clark’s first run was enough to take the win with Bleiler in second.
“I liked having the Grand Prix at Copper. They did a great job today and I’m really excited,” Clark said. I was really happy with my first run. I’ve been working really hard on the fitness side of things and really preparing for this season mentally and physically every way I can. I feel like at this point in the season I’m riding better than I ever have.” . . . “Everything for me this season is leading up to Vancouver and every event I’m using as practice,” Clark said. “I’m pushing myself to do my most technical difficult run right now so it becomes a lot easier for me and a lot like second nature so I’m able to build and progress throughout the season. This is a great starting point.”
Full results after the jump:
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