SNOWBOARD-HALFPIPE: Australia’s halfpipe queen Torah Bright has qualified straight to the final at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games, with a fantastic display in her first run of heat 2.
SNOWBOARD-HALFPIPE: Australia’s halfpipe queen Torah Bright has qualified straight to the final at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games, with a fantastic display in her first run of heat 2.
The 27-year-old defending Olympic Champion delivered an excellent run in her heat with 93.00 points. American Hannah Teter (92.00) and China’s Cai Xuetong (88.00) were also flying high and landing their tricks smoothly to automatically progress with the Australian.
Bright had a second run but had a touchdown off a landing midway. She then cruised to the bottom of the pipe, re-shaping some of the edges with her board as she went. Bright had already done enough to top qualification.
Unfortunately, 2013 World Champion Arielle Gold (USA) injured her shoulder in training and was unable to compete.
In heat 1 earlier in the day, fellow Australian Steph Magiros placed 9th to progress to the semi-finals. Disappointingly, Holly Crawford and Hannah Trigger both missed out.
Crawford showed great form in the pipe and great courage considering the injuries she is carrying. However she was unable to deliver a clean run and failed to progress. Heat 1 wrap>>>
In the semifinal Magiros went for broke but she was unable to land a clean run in the semis and ended up 12th. Finishing 18th at her first Games was a fantastic result for the former gymnast.
Six athletes from the heats scored 87 points or greater. American favourite Kelly Clark scored 95, Spaniard Castellet 93.25, Bright 93, Tetter 90.25, Cai 88 and Kaitlyn Farrington (USA) 87.