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Jossi Wells and Sarah Burke Win 48Straight Halfpipe

Jossi Wells and Sarah Burke Win 48Straight Halfpipe

The 2nd stop of the 48Straight series rolled into Squaw Valley this weekend, under sunny skies and warm temperatures. Although it was the 2nd stop, it was the 1st stop with a halfpipe event, this year adding a women’s discipline to the fold. Also new to the competitors was the new format the event was trying out, which might not have been a huge hit with everyone involved. And as they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

  • 2 run qualifier, advancing top 6 guys and 3 girls each run
  • 2 run final, taking top 2 guys and 2 guys out of each run
  • 1 run ‘super’-final to determine the podium

Besides the format squabbles, the event went off in the semi-decent halfpipe. Walking away with top honors was Jossi Wells, who skied flawlessly throughout practice, qualifying, finals and ‘super’-finals, linking his back to back 900s, huge air and smooth style. The frenchman Xavier Bertoni, fresh off his 3rd place finish at last week’s US Open, stepped his game up a notch, bringing his big switch right 720 and back-to-back 900s to the 2nd place spot. And this year’s most consistent rider, Colby West, nabbed the last podium spot, making his big 720 and two switch hits known to the judges. Rounding out the ‘super-finals’ was Justin Dorey with his big clean 360 to big switch 720.

On the women’s side, Sarah Burke has once again toppled the competition with her potent 900, alley oop 540 and 720 run. Sarah skied meticulously through practice and the competition today, and was the clear favorite to win. Jen Hudak blew away the crowd with her huge airs and alley-oops, taking the 2nd place spot. And coming in 3rd for the 2nd week in a row was Roz G, bringing her 900, 540 and 720 to the table in sunny California. Super stylie Grete Eliassen rounded out the finals, with her huge amplitude and unique style.

Noticably absent from the top spots were Peter Olenick who had a little trouble dialing his whiskey flip, Simon Dumont who is skiing on an injured shoulder and Mike Riddle who just couldn’t hold a run together. But those three guys as well as the rest of the field made the best of an ok pipe and put on a show for the sizable crowd.

Mens Halfpipe Results
1) Jossi ‘The Outlaw’ Wells
2) Xavier ‘The Flying Frenchman’ Bertoni
3) Colby James West
4) Justin ‘J-Bone’ Dorey
T-5) Peter Olenick
       Simon Dumont
       Tucker Perkins
       Jon Marks
       David Wise
       Dan Marion
       Taylor Felton
       Scott Hibbert

Womens Halfpipe results
1) Sarah Burke
2) Jen Hudak
3) Rosalind Groenewoud
4) Grete Eliassen
T-5) Kristi Leskinen
       Jess Cumming

– This post and update could not have been possible without the help of Trennon Paynter and the Canadian crew.

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