NZSnowboard.com - The home of New Zealand Snowboarding

28th August 2009

Burton riders Shaun White (USA) and Jiayu Liu (CHN) rode away with the top spots at the 2010 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup halfpipe competition in Cardrona, New Zealand yesterday.

White, fresh off of a win at the Burton New Zealand Open (NZO) one week earlier, secured his first place finish in his first run of the mens final with a score of 47.1. Iouri Podladtchikov from Switzerland came in second (44.4) ahead of Japans Kazuhiro Kokubo (43.2). On the womens side, Jiayu Liu had also established her number one position after her first run by earning 44.1 points. Former Olympic Gold Medalist and NZO halfpipe winner Kelly Clark (USA) took second with a score of 40.5, while Gretchen Bleiler (USA) took third with a 37.1.
 
The day was off to a rough start as semi-finals were cancelled due to strong winds, resulting in 18 riders going straight through to finals for both the womens and mens competition. When the final competition got underway once the wind died down, the level of riding was exceptional, but it was Shaun White that set the bar with a winning run that started off with a lien air, followed by a backside 900 into a frontside 720, into a Cab double cork 1080, finishing with a frontside 1080. White had this to say of his win, I feel like I nailed it, not only in the scoring but also by sticking my tricks. Its one thing to do a double cork but another to perform it in competition. I was smiling and singing a song on my runs. I feel great.
 
Although there were several riders like Nathan Johnstone (AUS) and US riders Danny Davis and Scotty Lago throwing double corks in practice, White was the only rider able to stomp one in finals, securing his top spot on the podium by impressing judges with the progression they were seeing.
 
Not to be outdone, Swiss rider Iouri IPod Podladtchikov finished a mere 3 points behind White, spinning to win with a run that started off with an inverted frontside 1080, followed by a Cab 1080, into a stylish frontside air, followed by a backside 540, finishing with an inverted 900. IPod had this to say, Its a super nice feeling, it couldnt be better than lining up right behind of Shaun. Its a perfect start to the season after I was off-snow for about four months and had started to ride again last week.
 
On the ladies side, reigning World Cup title holder Jiayu Liu secured her careers sixth World Cup victory with a clean run that started off with a big backside air, followed by a frontside 540 mute, into a backside 540 mute, finishing with back-to-back 720s. The 16-years-old Liu had this to say, Its nice to win the World Cup opener.








LINK:   www.burton.com