Current World Champion Snowboarder, Scotty James, has made a strong start to his 2016-2017 northern hemisphere season, qualifying second in his heat to advance through to the halfpipe final at the US Snowboard Grand Prix/World Cup event in Copper Mountain.
SNOWBOARD HALFPIPE: Current World Champion Snowboarder Scotty James has made a strong start to his 2016-2017 northern hemisphere season, finishing fourth in the halfpipe final at the US Snowboard Grand Prix/World Cup event in Copper Mountain, Colorado, USA.
Competing in the best of three run final, the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) athlete produced his best in the third run, scoring 88.75 to narrowly miss out on the podium.
Switzerland secured the top two spots on the podium with Patrick Burgener (96.25) and Sochi 2014 gold medallist Iouri Podladtchikov (96.00) taking gold and silver and Chase Josey (93.75) of the USA winning bronze.
Competing earlier in qualifications but unable to progress to the final where Kent Callister in 15th and Nathan Johnstone 41st.
In the women’s event, NSWIS Youth Olympic Winter Games Silver Medallist Emily Arthur was unable to qualify for the six-person final, finishing in 19th place.
QUALIFICATION
Current World Champion Snowboarder, Scotty James, has made a strong start to his 2016-2017 northern hemisphere season, qualifying second in his heat to advance through to the halfpipe final at the US Snowboard Grand Prix/World Cup event in Copper Mountain, Colorado, USA.
Competing under the best of two runs format in the heat round, The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) athlete produced his best in the second run, scoring 83.75 to secure one of the ten places available in the final.
Also in action in the men’s event for Australia, but unable to qualify for the final, was Kent Callister in 15th and Nathan Johnstone 41st.
In the women’s event, NSWIS Youth Olympic Winter Games Silver Medallist, Emily Arthur, was unable to qualify for the six-person final, finishing in 19th place.
After the successful qualification round, James was impressed with his performance in trying weather.
“Competed in some interesting conditions today, but pulled through. Excited for finals!”
The men’s Halfpipe Snowboard final featuring Scotty James will take place Friday afternoon in the USA, Saturday morning AEST.
