Gretchen vs. Kelly: X Games Pipe

by The Editors on January 31, 2010

In case you missed Gretchen Bleiler and Kelly Clark in the X Games 14 halfpipe last night, January 30, 2010. For details on Gretchen’s gold, follow the jump.

[Link: ESPN/Action]
Bleiler Takes Hometown Gold

ASPEN, CO (Jan. 30) – With thousands of her hometown fans cheering her on, the first lady of Aspen, Gretchen Bleiler threw down a huge 900 on the first hit of her second run to win her fourth Winter X Games gold. In what will hopefully be a prelude to what they have in store for Vancouver, Bleiler’s Olympic teammates Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT) and Hannah Teter (Belmont, VT) joined her on the podium in second and third.

“My second run everything went right. Everything felt like it had amplitude. I finally went with the gravity of the halfpipe instead of fighting against it,” Bleiler said. “I didn’t doubt myself, I just went for it and definitely the support of Aspen helped me get there.”

Clark was leading the women’s field after the first run when Bleiler went to town on her second shot, throwing a 9 with confidence that set her up to slay the remainder of her run, locking her in the first spot.

“I think I wanted it so badly that I threw it so hard and it just came around corked. It felt so much better that way. I’m going to be working on that one and bringing it back,” Bleiler said. “I finally feel like I’m riding to my potential. This is great momentum for me and knowing that I am capable of this brings confidence.”

Clark came back with incredible amplitude in run three, but still wound up .66 behind Bleiler when all was said and done. But, it was thanks to Clark’s ability to unabashedly go for it in the pipe that had Bleiler wanting to go further.

“This girl has been riding so well all year long. I’ve just been watching her in awe. I was inspired tonight to go for it as well. She lets it go like no one else lets it go,” Bleiler said.

As for Clark, the night was more about being able to do what she set out to – being able to pull out and land her big tricks – as opposed to ending up on top.

“I was so happy to have landed the run that I set out to do, especially after falling second run and coming back third run and rising to the occasion,” Clark said.

There was added excitement in the air for the women, who will shortly make their way to Vancouver for the 2010 Games, as each recognized the night in Aspen was filled with remarkable riding.

“Gretchen rode amazing, Hannah rode great and that was one of the best women’s finals I’ve ever seen,” Clark said. “I think we all take a lot of momentum any time we’re standing on the podium of a high profile event. There’s no better way to prepare for an event like the Olympics.”

And, with a few weeks to go, Clark’s already got a thing or two in mind for the halfpipe at the Olympics.

“I have the run that I’m planning for Vancouver, and I’m going to stick to that plan,” Clark said.

As for the reigning Olympic champion, Teter divulged a plan for the Games that had the reporters at Winter X laughing.

“I’m going to eat a lot of ice cream,” she said, pointing to her brand of Ben and Jerry’s. “I’ll drink a ton of Amp, and then I will be ready to try to take it.”

With one day left in Winter X Games 14, Ski cross, mono ski cross and snowboard slopestyle athletes are geared up to compete Sunday.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Winter X Games 14
Aspen, CO – Jan. 30, 2010
Women’s Halfpipe

1. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO, 96.66
2. Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, VT, 96.00
3. Hannah Teter, Belmont, VT, 70.00
4. Soko Yamaoka, Japan, 66.00
5. Ellery Hollingsworth, Stratton, VT, 46.66
6. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 39.33

Raf Selvas January 31, 2010 at 9:23 am

Way to go Gretchen…you are RAD…..raf

Amanda February 4, 2010 at 12:47 pm

What snowboard did Gretchen use? It’s sick

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