Kelly Clark Wins 2014 US Open Halfpipe Title


Kelly Clark & Taylor Gold Win 2014 US Open Halfpipe Titles
Vail, CO (March 8, 2014) — Kelly Clark (USA) and Taylor Gold (USA) became 2014 halfpipe champions and went away $45,000 dollars richer at the 32nd annual Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships presented by MINI at Vail Mountain today. On a classic bluebird afternoon, the fourth and final day of the legendary event was perfection.

kelly clark

2014 Olympic bronze medalist Kelly Clark solidified her seventh Burton US Open halfpipe title this afternoon with a run that included a frontside 1080 indy, Cab 720 mute grab, indy to mute grab, backside 540 tail grab, frontside 900 indy, and a backside air, scoring an 89.33. 30-year-old Clark holds the honor of the most wins in US Open history. In other achievements, Clark picked up her fourth World Snowboard Tour halfpipe title today too.

“The US Open means a ton to me,” said Clark. “I grew up nine miles away from the US Open. It really holds a near and dear place in my heart. If I could pick a contest to win, it would be this one. I’m really happy I was able to put down my run today.”

Taking second place honors behind Clark was 2014 Olympian Queralt Castellet (ESP) followed by Chloe Kim (USA), who landed her first podium at the US Open. At just 13 years old, Kim became the youngest World Snowboard Tour Overall Champion with her win today. Her results towards the overall title are impressive. In addition to achieving extraordinary halfpipe results for her age, including a silver medal at X Games, she managed to land two slopestyle results this season— fifth place at the US Rev Tour and 11th in USASA Nationals.

After the women, the top 10 men put on an incredible performance for the packed house. 2014 Olympian Taylor Gold (USA) won his first US Open halfpipe title today. 20-year-old Gold took a victory lap after stomping the best run of the day complete with a massive method air, frontside 1260 tail grab, double Michalchuk melon grab, frontside double cork 1080 indy, Cab 1080 roastbeef, and a crippler chickensalad, scoring an 87.63.

“Coming into the event, I wasn’t really putting a lot of expectations on myself,” said Gold. “It was a relief to have the Olympic cycle over with. Just having fun here was my main goal, so walking away with this is beyond anything I expected.”

In second place for the men was 2014 Olympic bronze medalist Taku Hiraoka (JPN) and 17-year-old David Habluetzel (SUI) finished third. The World Snowboard Halfpipe Title also went to Hiraoka, for his great season.

The Sicktrix.com best trick award presented went to Chloe Kim for her switch method and Ben Ferguson for his double crippler. Each rider walked away with $5,000.

To celebrate the final night of the 2014 Burton US Open, there will be a rider awards ceremony starting at 6:30pm MST at the Solaris Stage followed by a free concert with Capital Cities and the official US Open closing party at Dobson Ice Arena featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and A Tribe Called Red.

That’s a wrap for the 32nd annual Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships at Vail Mountain. For anyone who missed the live webcast, check out highlights of winning runs, full webcast replays and contest recaps atwww.Burton.com/USO. Also check your local listings to watch US Open re-airs, the US Open Lifestyle show, and men’s and women’s slopestyle and halfpipe highlight shows on FOX Sports 2.

Follow all Burton US Open happenings at facebook.com/burtonsnowboards, @burtonsnowboard on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #BurtonUSOpen.

A big thanks to the following partners for their support of the 32nd annual Burton US Open: MINI, Vail Mountain, Mountain Dew®, Town of Vail, Garmin, Nokia, Paul Mitchell, 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation, G-SHOCK, Pacifico, Bear Naked® granola, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Shiseido, Clif Bar & Company, CHILL, anon, Analog and the World Snowboard Tour.

Women’s Halfpipe Final Results:

1. Kelly Clark (USA), BURTON, 89.33
2. Queralt Castellet (ESP), YONEX, 85.73
3. Chloe Kim (USA), BURTON, 83.95
4. Hannah Teter (USA), BURTON, 75.03
5. Rana Okada (JPN), BURTON, 67.15
6. Sophie Rodriguez (FRA), OAKLEY, 59.80

Men’s Halfpipe Final Results:
1. Taylor Gold (USA), BURTON, 87.63
2. Taku Hiraoka (JPN), BURTON, 86.88
3. David Habluetzel (SUI), BURTON, 83.23
4. Ben Ferguson (USA), BURTON, 77.93
5. Kent Callister (AUS), LIB TECH, 77.58
6. Gabe Ferguson (USA), BURTON, 73.10
7. Jake Pates (USA), BURTON, 73.00
8. Louie Vito (USA), VIVE, 68.28
9. Christian Haller (SUI), BURTON, 67.38
10. Yiwei Zhang (CHN), MINI, 62.03

About the Burton US Open
The world’s best snowboarders will come together in Vail, Colorado from March 3rd – 8th to partake in the longest running, premier snowboarding event, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships presented by MINI. By day, experience world-class halfpipe and slopestyle competition, then at night keep the momentum high with FREE concerts, events and activities for all-ages. A big thanks to the following partners for their support of the 32nd annualBurton US Open: MINI, Vail Mountain, Mountain Dew®, Town of Vail, Garmin, Nokia, Paul Mitchell, 3Mâ„¢ Thinsulateâ„¢ Insulation, G-SHOCK, Pacifico, Bear Naked® granola, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Shiseido, Clif Bar & Company, CHILL, anon, Analog and the World Snowboard Tour.

About MINI
MINI is involved in action sports around the world through cooperation and sponsoring activities. As a partner of trend-conscious sports, MINI supports young and creative sports people and, in so doing, promotes the development of their sport. MINI has been the official presenting partner for the Burton Global Event Series since 2011.

About Vail Mountain
Coveted as one of the largest ski resorts in the world with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain, seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, and the most groomed terrain on the planet, Vail has been an extraordinary winter vacation destination for passionate skiers and snowboarders for more than 50 years. It is home to world-class athletes during the U.S. Ski Team early-season training sessions in Golden Peak, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships and the future 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year, friends and families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is exceptional, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to events, activities and festivals, shops and spas, abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations. Coupled with the vision inherent in the spirit of Vail’s founders, and a modern day commitment to excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations, Vail is a mountain resort like nothing on earth. www.vail.com.






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