Burton US Open 2008

From ExtremeWiki

Bright and White wins 2nd consecutive US Open Halfpipe titles. 2008 US OPEN HALFPIPE FINALS

History repeats itself at the 2008 US Open men’s and women’s halfpipe finals with reigning champions Torah Bright and Shaun White each claiming the title and $20,000. Today also marked the final stop of the Burton Global Open Series, where $100,000 would be awarded to the top overall male and female riders.

With sun blazing and a stacked field of the world’s halfpipe elite, the sea of fans got a show to remember as riders literally threw it all on the line in the perfectly sculpted 500+ foot long, 22-foot tall superpipe.

The circus began in the semi-finals where Gretchen Bleiler had first-hit cripplers and Olympic gold Medalist Kelly Clark had massive frontside 7s. Connecticut’s Ellery Hollingsworth impressed with frontside 7 to Cab 7 combos, while Cheryl Maas was uncorking first-hit inverted 7s.

In the men’s semis Quebec’s new kid on the twock Charles Reid had double overhead first-hit frontside 10s. The Frends crew was in full effect with Scotty Lago, Luke Mitrani, Kevin Pearce and Mason Aguirre all riding strong; and Jack Mitrani unleashing the first-ever frontflip into the pipe on the run-in. In between heats, even the Sprocking Cat himself, Terje Haakonsen, was spotted poaching laps in celebration of Easter.

In the best-of-three run finals Torah Bright took the lead early with a run that featured a backside 3 indy, switch backside 7 mute (Winner of Zune Best Trick and $5,000), backside 5, melon-to-fakie with a Cab 7 at the end. Local Olympian Kelly Clark snagged second with a lofty frontside air to backside 5 mute, frontside 5, method, frontside 9 into a big backside air. Gretchen Bleiler rounded out the podium with a first-hit frontside 9, lofty backside air into a crippler, with an indy to frontside 7 and Cab 3 to cap things off.

In the men’s finals Finland’s Peetu Piiroinen had huge front 10s and alley-oop backside rodeos. Scotty Lago clocked Zune Best Trick and $5,000 with a double cork front 10. Mason Aguirre stuck a backside 5 indy to frontside 10 tail, corked Cab 10, frontside 9, alley oop to frontside 7 for second. VT’s own Kevin Pearce rode strong all day with a third place run that featured a big backside crail into a frontside 10 tail, Cab 10, frontside 9 stale finished with a biggie-sized McTwist.

However nothing short of perfection could topple the Shaun White. Coming off a win at Friday’s Slopestyle, the reigning US Open Halfpipe Champion would once again destroy the competition and end his day with a victory lap. Shaun’s winning run consisted of a first-hit frontside 10 stale to cab 10 into his signature frontside 5 stale, McTwist, frontside 9 with a backside 9 ender—all HUGE and flawless.

Torah Bright’s win secured her the BGOS title and $100,000 for the second year straight; while 20-year old Peetu Piiroinen’s fourth place would score him the BGOS title for the men.

Don’t forget to tune in to Go211.com for in-depth coverage, including live webcasts, of all the US Open events. In case you couldn’t make it, NBC will also be broadcasting the US Open for the fifth consecutive year on Sunday, March 23 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. EST

Burton would like to thank Stratton Mountain Resort, Volvo, SoBe, Go211.com, Paul Mitchell, Virgin America, GORE-TEX®, Corona, Emergen-C, Shiseido, R.E.D., ANON, Analog and Gravis for their support of the US Open.

The 2008 Burton U.S. Open at Stratton Mountain, in Stratton, Vt., with an interview with professional snowboarder Kelly Clark. (Zachary P. Stephens / Brattleboro Reformer)