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»Women's Halfpipe   »Quarterpipe Finals  » Intro

The women's first jam session in the Stratton halfpipe served as the semi-finals, with 25 women competing for 10 spots in the US Open finals. The jam format had the ladies taking laps through the pipe for one hour, while judges looked on to gauge the overall impression. This format allowed the women to step it up and throw in some tricks many had never landed in competition before.

The competition was spirited as the ladies charged for the open spots in the finals. Dorian Vidal laid claim on hers almost immediately, busting at the seams with amplitude, and stomping a frontside 7 on her first run.

Lisa Hegertun Wiik followed up with a crippler 7 which really got the crowd going. Another standout was Anne Molin Kongsgaard out of Norway, who threw down a huge frontside 7 of her own, and only got stronger as the session progressed.

Also, Vermont's own Kelly Clark showed why she brought home that shiny gold, throwing huge standard maneuvers, and finishing out with an even bigger cork 540. Nicola Thost was the top qualifier with huge 7's and one of the sickest air to fakies in snowboarding.

On the men's side, before semi-finals, standouts from heat 1 of the qualifier session included Andy Finch riding for Palmer Snowboards, Luke Wynen going huge and smooth for Atomic, Wyatt Caldwell on Burton, and a strong showing from the Burton Japan contingent of Haijme Ishibashi and Keijiro Kashahara.

In Heat 2 of the qualifiers introduced the man to watch, Markku Koski of Finland, who was dropping huge technical tricks all over the Stratton pipe. Guy Deschenes and Alexander Sorroken shored up their ticket to the semi-finals as well, with lofty airs and smooth all-around performance.

One of the highlights for the crowd in attendance was 11-year-old Burton rider Luke Mitrani, who managed to work his four-foot frame above the lip of the 17-foot pipe walls. This kid is definitely a talent to watch in the future.

The stage is set for the women's finals to take place on Saturday and the 10 finalists are ready to throw down.

— Courtesy, Fuse Sports Marketing