FREESKI NEWS
NIPPAN FREESTYLE OPEN
22.02.2008
Check out the action on video: http://www.zapiks.com/Nippon-Freeskiing-Open-Slope.html
Men
1. Jossi Wells
2. Mike Clarke / Salomon
3. Charles Gagnier / Salomon
5. Matt Walker / Salomon
22.02.2008
Superpipe Finals
The 2nd annual Nippon Freeskiing Open is in the books and it ended with Japan doing what it does best -- dumping a bunch of snow. Sunday saw the Halfpipe finals playing out through a pretty solid blizzard. About 40 cm of snow fell during the comp. Thanks to a bunch of hard work by the course crew,the pipe stayed in good shape from start to finish, and the event went off just as you'd expect. The flying Fins dominated the super final with Kalle Leinonen's smooth tech beating out US Open champ, AJ Kemppainen for the top spot. Xavier Bertoni's clean style and solid grabs earned him the 3rd spot on the podium. Props to both John Symms and Mike Clarke who made it into the top 8. On the ladies side, Jen Hudak took advantage of Sarah Burke's flu andsnagged first place. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the snow continued into the evening and forced the cancellation of the Big Air event - maybe next year. One thing for sure, anyone who get's to stay here in Japan is going to have a sweet pow day!
Slopestyle: Clarke and Gagnier on the podium
It was a perfect day for a slopestyle competition at Joetsu Kokusai, Japan-- sunshine and slushy snow. The course held up very well and the competitors threw down hard with at least 6 guys stomping double variations.
The 2nd annual Nippon Freeskiing Open is in the books and it ended with Japan doing what it does best -- dumping a bunch of snow. Sunday saw the Halfpipe finals playing out through a pretty solid blizzard. About 40 cm of snow fell during the comp. Thanks to a bunch of hard work by the course crew,the pipe stayed in good shape from start to finish, and the event went off just as you'd expect. The flying Fins dominated the super final with Kalle Leinonen's smooth tech beating out US Open champ, AJ Kemppainen for the top spot. Xavier Bertoni's clean style and solid grabs earned him the 3rd spot on the podium. Props to both John Symms and Mike Clarke who made it into the top 8. On the ladies side, Jen Hudak took advantage of Sarah Burke's flu andsnagged first place. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the snow continued into the evening and forced the cancellation of the Big Air event - maybe next year. One thing for sure, anyone who get's to stay here in Japan is going to have a sweet pow day!
Slopestyle: Clarke and Gagnier on the podium
It was a perfect day for a slopestyle competition at Joetsu Kokusai, Japan-- sunshine and slushy snow. The course held up very well and the competitors threw down hard with at least 6 guys stomping double variations.
The Salomon team was super-strong all day long with Matt Walker, Mike Clarke,AJ Kemppainen, and Charles Gagnier making it into the 12 person final for the men, and Maiko Hara of Japan making the final on the ladies side. Maiko stomped a clean run that included a sweet 540 mute off the 65 ft stepoverjump to take second place behind Ashley Battesby.
On the men's side, the battle for the top 3 was fierce with Charles stomping his run to perfection, highlighted by a switch right 1080 mute to switch left 1080 Octograb. Charles was then topped by Mike Clarke who pulled a ridiculous double cork 1260 in his second run. Head Judge, Josh Loubek, called it the sickest double he's ever seen, but it wasn't quite enough to steal the day from the technicalperfection of Jossi Wells.
On the men's side, the battle for the top 3 was fierce with Charles stomping his run to perfection, highlighted by a switch right 1080 mute to switch left 1080 Octograb. Charles was then topped by Mike Clarke who pulled a ridiculous double cork 1260 in his second run. Head Judge, Josh Loubek, called it the sickest double he's ever seen, but it wasn't quite enough to steal the day from the technicalperfection of Jossi Wells.
Check out the action on video: http://www.zapiks.com/Nippon-Freeskiing-Open-Slope.html
Men
1. Jossi Wells
2. Mike Clarke / Salomon
3. Charles Gagnier / Salomon
5. Matt Walker / Salomon
Women
1. Ashley Battersby
2. Maiko Hara
3. Dania Asaly
1. Ashley Battersby
2. Maiko Hara
3. Dania Asaly
PHOTOS
