2010 Twenty Ten –

Live Blog - Snowboarding Live Blog

TORAH BRIGHT WINS GOLD

19.02.10 / 02:02:30 PM

Ok it's true...

Torah Bright has just won Australia's first snowboarding gold medal, beating out all contenders with a second run that scored a 45.0 out of 50.

Her run:

Backside 360 Indy
Switch McTwist 720
Backside 540 Japan
Air to fakie Japan
Corked Cab 720 Indy

flower ceremony on now...

Medal ceremony in Vancouver tomorrow.

It's going to be a party tonight.

TETER Hannah USA last run

19.02.10 / 01:57:49 PM

Hannah stomps her run...

straight air a squirly 900 2 7's and a 360..

the score??

39....

TORAH WINS

TORAH BRIGHT WINS GOLD

LIU Jiayu CHN Run 2

19.02.10 / 01:55:13 PM

She stomps her run..

back to back 5's a seven and 2 straight airs..

Not enough.
only one girl stands between Torah Bright and a gold medal.

RODRIGUEZ Sophie Is down too

19.02.10 / 01:53:22 PM

She falls on her first hit going for a front 1080..

2 riders to go.

LIU Jiayu CHina

TETER Hannah USA

Mercedes NICOL falls, only 3 riders left

19.02.10 / 01:51:10 PM

Canadian rider just fell i her run. only 3 riders left to go.
TOrah sits in gold.

ONly the American could take the lead but she would have to do the run of her life.

Is this Australia's first gold in Snowboarding..?

Kelly Clarke 42 - Torah still in Lead

19.02.10 / 01:46:32 PM

CLARK Kelly USA Run 2

19.02.10 / 01:44:34 PM

HOly Crap...
She just stomped her run....

Fornt side air
Backside 540
Front 7
cab 7
front 9..

Huge..

What will be the score???

HIGHT Elena USA run 2

19.02.10 / 01:43:10 PM

Sitting in second...

She is blasting down the pipe.

Backside 9 frontside 9... slams!

She is done... now she waits.

CRAWFORD Holly AUS Run 2

19.02.10 / 01:40:17 PM

Lands her run...

Front 9 scrubs around...
method
front 7...

only 30.3!

6th

BLEILER Gretchen USA Run 2

19.02.10 / 01:38:50 PM

Huge run... going massive but gets wailed on her cab 7 last hit... She went down hard..

NExt up HOLLY CRAWFORD

BRIGHT Torah AUS Run 2 (final runs)

19.02.10 / 01:33:51 PM

Here she goes...
KNuckles to her bro and coach benny ..

She stomps her run...

YEs.

Such a nervous moment for everyone.

Backside 180
Switch McTwist 720
Backside 540 Japan
Air to Fakie Japan
Cab 720 indy..

Oh yeah

45 - into first PLACE

Women's HP Finals Run 2

19.02.10 / 01:31:18 PM

Here we go...

Here is the second and final run of the Olympic Halfpipe event.

THey are still raking the pipe.

Torah is sitting in LAST.. and some other big guns like KElly Clarke and Holly Crawford also fell.

TOrah will now drop first as reverse order prevails.

Women's HP Finals Run 1 Results

19.02.10 / 01:25:37 PM

Live Standings
Rank Bib Athlete Score
1 14 USA TETER Hannah 42.4
2 7 CHN LIU Jiayu 39.3
3 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie 34.4
4 26 CAN NICOLL Mercedes 34.3
5 4 CHN SUN Zhifeng 29.8
6 28 SUI HALLER Ursina 27.9
7 12 USA CLARK Kelly 25.6
8 3 USA HIGHT Elena 24.6
9 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly 23.9
10 6 USA BLEILER Gretchen 11.0
11 1 AUS BRIGHT Torah 5.9
12 22 ESP CASTELLET Queralt DNS

BRIGHT Torah AUS Run 1

19.02.10 / 01:22:17 PM

backside 360...

Switch back seveeen.... Down!

Torah crashes out first run..

This event is WIIDE open.

Torah overrotated that trick she has done it a million times. Must be nerves.

She has another but so does everyone else.

Hannah Teter the Olympic champ in the lead.

CLARK Kelly USA run 1

19.02.10 / 01:21:14 PM

KElly singing again... weird

huge run but looking nervous.. she slams.

Go Torah - she's next.

TETER Hannah USA Run 1

19.02.10 / 01:17:43 PM

Olympic Champion from Torino.

Straight air
front 9 no grab
back 5
front 360
cab 7
straight air.

42.4 OMG..

that is a massive score that just doesn't seem right.

It was a great run but.. they aren't leaving much room for the top contenders. She definitly got points for her profile.

BLEILER Gretchen USA Run 1

19.02.10 / 01:14:58 PM

BIg front 9 no grab

backside 5

Crippler 7

SLam!

Ohh she won't be getting good scores with squirly spins like this. Judges are all over it tonight.

Scored so far.

19.02.10 / 01:13:26 PM

Live Standings
Rank Athlete Score
1 7 CHN LIU Jiayu 39.3
2 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie 34.4
3 26 CAN NICOLL Mercedes 34.3
4 28 SUI HALLER Ursina 27.9
5 3 USA HIGHT Elena 24.6
6 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly 23.9

Holly Crawford AUS Run 1

19.02.10 / 01:09:29 PM

huge front 9 mute to start... massive backside air... front side 7 10 foot out....

Slam!

She's got another.

NICOLL Mercedes CAN Run 1

19.02.10 / 01:07:38 PM

The crowd is losing their minds... she stomps a run but its not a podium one.

Back 5 and back to back 7's without a grab were the highlights.

The pipe looks like it is runnign fast smooth and hard.

the top girls are going to boost.

Her score: 34.3 2nd

HIGHT Elena USA Run 1

19.02.10 / 01:05:42 PM

Solid Run but she's still spinning too early and missing some grabs. Good style.

backside air
front 9
back 9
front 7
cab 7

only 24

Judges are laying low scores for under the lip take-offs.

RODRIGUEZ Sophie Run 1

19.02.10 / 01:03:37 PM

France's top contender drops a solid run but lacks the style and misses lots of grabs.

Front 9
bck 5
straight
back to back 7s
and switch straight.

only 34.1

judges are slamming no grab airs.

HALLER Ursina Run 1

19.02.10 / 01:01:51 PM

A few nerves on show but she stomped her run. a few 5's and a seven.

27.9 low score but she has 1 more run.

Women's HP FINALS START NOW

19.02.10 / 12:59:28 PM

Only minutes away now.

The pipe is looking amazing, the light are on the temperature is just about 0 and the pipe snow is -2.

The pipe hasn't been groomed after the semi's but has been raked and we hope lots of those ruts are now gone.

First up HAller from Switzerland.

Women's HP Finals Preview

19.02.10 / 12:09:50 PM


The Aussie Girls

Torah Bright who won the qualifying is going to be the one to beat tonight. But unlike last night when no one could go near Shaun White, tonight Women's final is going to be a closer race.
Torah definitely does not have this event in the bag with contenders like Kelly Clarke, Gretchen Blieler, Zhifeng Sun and suprise Spanish rider Queralt CASTELLET all riding strong in the previous rounds. She may have to pull out this "double cork" to make up for her lack of amplitude.

Holly Crawford is in prime contention for the podium as well. Holly's strengths are her ability to boost high and stylish, she rarely misses a grab and she is usually boning the hell out of every trick. The judges proved that they like her approach by awarding her top spot in the semi's without having any "big spins" in her run.

The Judges Dilemna

Today in the event so far, the judges have given high scores to both, technical riding and large amplitude riding that has had less technical tricks.

Torah qualified first with the most techincal tricks linked into one run, but her height out of the lip was well below that of Kelly Clarke and Holly Crawford for example, who were boosting way higher with less technical tricks.

So if we get into a situation where Kelly stomps a super high run and Torah stomps a really technical run (maybe with her Double cork) the judges will have a big decision on their hands - and there is NO CORRECT ANSWER.

Do they award progression? Or do they award balls to the wall (so to speak) big snowboarding?

It's a question that is always posed in snowboarding with no proven answer to which is better for snowboarding - the answer is really both are great.

The judges tonight may have to decide and they will be ridiculed either way. Tough night to be a judge.

Progression TO Look Out For

Torah may through her double cork... it is not perfected but if she is backed into a corner and goes for gold we might see it. Kelly Clarke has a frontside 1080 - the only girl. Grethen Blieler has a front 9, crippler seven cab 7 combo. Judges love combos.

Finals Start list
Start Bib Athlete
1 28 SUI HALLER Ursina
2 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie
3 3 USA HIGHT Elena
4 26 CAN NICOLL Mercedes
5 7 CHN LIU Jiayu
6 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly
7 4 CHN SUN Zhifeng
8 6 USA BLEILER Gretchen
9 14 USA TETER Hannah
10 22 ESP CASTELLET Queralt
11 12 USA CLARK Kelly
12 1 AUS BRIGHT Torah

Women's HP Semi Finals RESULTS

19.02.10 / 11:58:02 AM

Rank Bib Athlete Run 1 Run 2 Best
QUALIFIED TO FINAL
1 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly17.3 (12) 41.7 (1) 41.7 F
2 7 CHN LIU Jiayu 41.1 (1) 36.2 (2) 41.1 F
3 26 CAN NICOLL Mercedes 40.1 (2) 28.5 (4) 40.1 F
4 3 USA HIGHT Elena 37.1 (3) 10.8 (11) 37.1 F
5 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie36.9 (4) 9.5 (12) 36.9 F
6 28 SUI HALLER Ursina35.4 (5) 31.9 (3) 35.4 F

DID NOT QUALIFIED TO FINAL
7 11 JPN NAKASHIMA Shiho34.9 (6) 15.2 (10) 34.9
8 9 CZE PANCOCHOVA Sarka34.4 (7) 24.9 (7) 34.4
9 30 NZL BROWN Kendall 33.3 (8) 28.2 (5) 33.3
10 10 JPN YAMAOKA Soko 30.6 (9) 24.9 (6) 30.6
11 21 SLO SADAR Cilka 30.1 (10) 21.5 (8) 30.1
12 16 CAN CONRAD Sarah 17.8 (11) 21.4 (9) 21.4

The final will kick off in just under 1 hour at 6pm Vancouver time - 1pm Australian time.

Throw aways

19.02.10 / 11:53:36 AM

It's all just throw aways in the semi's now as finalists locked in.

Holly has kept her top spot so far with only 1 rider - the Chinese 17 year old to go.

Final 6 in Semi's now confirmed

19.02.10 / 11:50:27 AM

the top six cannot be knocked out now, with a few rider to go, all are already in the final. These few runs left will be practice runs for the final.

Live Standings
Rank Bib Athlete Run 1 Run 2 Best
1 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly 17.3 (12) 41.7 (1) 41.7 F
2 7 CHN LIU Jiayu 41.1 (1) 41.1 F
3 26 CAN NICOLL Mercedes 40.1 (2) 40.1 F
4 3 USA HIGHT Elena 37.1 (3) 37.1 F
5 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie 36.9 (4) 36.9 F
6 28 SUI HALLER Ursina 35.4 (5) 31.9 (2) 35.4 F

NZ's Kendall Brown 2nd Semi Run - Last chance!

19.02.10 / 11:42:38 AM

Kendall just landed her run - it was a nice run with good height but she really lacked the tricks. Her run included 3 straight airs a frontside and backside 540.

Not really enough to move into the top 6.

She scores 28.2 and stays in 9th. Her games are over but she looks very stoked..

She's looks like a NZ version of Torah Bright.

Judges giving Holly Cred

19.02.10 / 11:38:11 AM

Holly who is now sitting in first place of the Semi Final didn't have the most technical run but was going huge clean and grabbing everytrick with great style.

It's different from alot of the other girls who miss grabs and scrub tricks around below the lip or just above in Ballerina style.-- YUCK.

Judging is working the way it should be - awarding style and height.

Holly Crawford Semi Final Run 2

19.02.10 / 11:34:48 AM

SHe's stomped her run..

Lein air
Backside air
Front 7
cab 7
front 5 stale

41.7 - INTO FIRST

SICK

The pipe conditions

19.02.10 / 11:32:50 AM

The air temp is 4 degrees
The snow is -2 degrees

But it's the light which is pretty gnarly. 4:30 pm right now in Vancouver and the dusk light and cooling temps making it hard for the girls.

Holly up again now.

19.02.10 / 11:30:37 AM

Holly is up again now as she is last after the first run.

Womens' HP Semi Run 1 Results

19.02.10 / 11:27:17 AM

Rank Bib Athlete Score
1 7 CHN LIU Jiayu 41.1
2 26 CAN NICOLL Mercedes 40.1
3 3 USA HIGHT Elena 37.1
4 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie 36.9
5 28 SUI HALLER Ursina 35.4
6 11 JPN NAKASHIMA Shiho 34.9
7 9 CZE PANCOCHOVA Sarka 34.4
8 30 NZL BROWN Kendall 33.3
9 10 JPN YAMAOKA Soko 30.6
10 21 SLO SADAR Cilka 30.1
11 16 CAN CONRAD Sarah 17.8
12 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly 17.3

Holly goes down in Semi run 1

19.02.10 / 11:24:14 AM

Holly just went down in her run.

She fell on her 4th hit trying a cab 720 that was a combo after a big frontside 7.

She's looking positive though and she has one more chance. I'm sure we'll see her big frontside 900.

Talk about some pressure...

Elena Hight Semi run 1

19.02.10 / 11:21:00 AM

NIce run from Elena, but super under the lip take off style...

backside air
front 5
backside 900
front 7
cab 7

sick combo but bad steez and no grabs..

score...
.
.
?

and waiting
.
.
37.1 = 3rd

Elena Hight and Holly Crawford coming up.

19.02.10 / 11:19:25 AM

Semi Scores so far..

19.02.10 / 11:18:11 AM

Rank Athlete Score
1 7 CHN LIU Jiayu 41.1
2 26 CAN NICOLL Mercedes 40.1
3 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie 36.9
4 28 SUI HALLER Ursina 35.4
5 11 JPN NAKASHIMA Shiho 34.9
6 9 CZE PANCOCHOVA Sarka 34.4
7 30 NZL BROWN Kendall 33.3
8 21 SLO SADAR Cilka 30.1
9 16 CAN CONRAD Sarah 17.8

Jiayu LIU From China Semi Run 1

19.02.10 / 11:12:56 AM

After Ursina HALLER, who just took over first with a simiiar run to the Japanese rider...

The 17-Year old Chinese rider Jiayu just slayed the pipe with a smoothly executed run that included a back to back 5's and and a big 7.

She pops the 40 pint bubble and gets a 41.1

Sophie RODRIGUEZ Just dropped the first nine of the semis - it was swirly without a grab and she included 2 7's in her run but bad style and low heights keeps her score down.

Shiho NAKASHIMA of JPN into 1st

19.02.10 / 11:08:32 AM

Shiho of Japan slides into 1st after stomping a nice clean run that included back to back fives and into a frontside 720 combo..

Height was about the 5-10 foot over the lip.

It seems that a nine and a seven combo will win this semi - exactly what Holly CRawford of AUSTRALIA can drop.

NZ's Kendall Brown Semi Run 1

19.02.10 / 11:05:33 AM

Kendall puts down here run...

Backside Alley opp Japan
backside 540 front side 540
method
air to fakie

33.3 = 2nd

She'll need to get in the high 30's to go through, but a great start.

Kendall is coming off a win at the Burton Canadian Open. Her brother Mitch competed in Men's halfpipe yesterday.

First two riders down

19.02.10 / 11:02:54 AM

1 9 CZE PANCOCHOVA Sarka 34.4
2 21 SLO SADAR Cilka 30.1

Kendall Brown up next

Women's Halfpipe SEMI-FINALS Start now

19.02.10 / 10:58:47 AM

Here we go.. The Semi Finals of the Women's Olympic halfpipe.

the sun is now off the pipe and in shade... a little bit different from the qualifying run..

THe ruts from the slushy session may play havoc.

Australia's Holly CRawford will drop in last (12th)

Kendall Brown NZ will drop in 3rd.

Top six after 2 runs go to meet the other 6 girls in the final

Women's HP Semi Finals Start list

19.02.10 / 09:27:32 AM

Australia's Holly Crawford and NZ's Kendall Brown have both made the Semi finals for the women's Olympic halfpipe event.

The Semi's start in one hour at 4pm Vancouver time (11am Sydney time)

Start Bib Athlete
1 21 SLO SADAR Cilka
2 9 CZE PANCOCHOVA Sarka
3 30 NZL BROWN Kendall
4 16 CAN CONRAD Sarah
5 11 JPN NAKASHIMA Shiho
6 28 SUI HALLER Ursina
7 7 CHN LIU Jiayu
8 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie
9 26 CAN NICOLL Mercedes
10 10 JPN YAMAOKA Soko
11 3 USA HIGHT Elena
12 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly

Women's HP - Torah atop the first 6 finalists

19.02.10 / 09:05:10 AM

Australia's Torah Bright is leading the qualifying for the women's Olympic Qualifying.

Her run which included technical hits like the switch Mctwist 720 at the top of the run, blew all the other girls out of the water. But again her height is still a few feet lower, on average than riders like Kelly Clarke from the USA who sits in second.

The current top 10 are:

Live Standings
Rank Bib Athlete Run 1 Run 2 Best
1 1 AUS BRIGHT Torah 41.3 (3) 45.8 (1) 45.8
2 12 USA CLARK Kelly 45.4 (1) 13.6 (19) 45.4
3 22 ESP CASTELLET Queralt 44.3 (2) 19.9 (16) 44.3
4 14 USA TETER Hannah 39.7 (4) 42.7 (2) 42.7
5 6 USA BLEILER Gretchen 36.6 (7) 40.2 (3) 40.2
6 4 CHN SUN Zhifeng 38.2 (6) 39.9 (4) 39.9
7 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly 38.6 (5) 39.5 (5) 39.5
8 3 USA HIGHT Elena 35.7 (8) 37.9 (6) 37.9
9 10 JPN YAMAOKA Soko 34.8 (9) 37.0 (7) 37.0
10 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie 30.1 (12) 34.5 (8) 34.5

Queralt CASTELLET 2nd Run Qualifying

19.02.10 / 09:02:41 AM

HUge backside 540 into a massive front 9 but she lands in the flat.

This girl is boosting big and shows she can do the backside 900 as well. If she can get that into a combo she will be a threat for the podium tonight.

Holly Crawford second Qualy run

19.02.10 / 08:53:25 AM

Australia's Holly just scored a 39.5 betters her score by .9 points but doesn't put her in the top 6. She is sitting on the bubble in 7th. She will have to do the semi's to qualify for the finals now.

Hannah Teter 2nd Qualifying run

19.02.10 / 08:49:04 AM

Hanah Teter the Olympic champion from USa just dropped a nice run.

backside air
front 5
back 5
front 3
cab 7
front 7

Not that high but tech.

42.7! Wow a really high score.

Judges are awarding the tech combo's here.. but seems like you have to have an American uniform on to break the 40's easy... and make NBC coverage.

Australia's Holly CRawford up next...

Kelly Clarke Second Run

19.02.10 / 08:42:32 AM

USA's top contender Kelly Clarke is up the top of the pipe before her run yelling hymns at the top of her voice.

Front 7 mute first hit but crashes first hit.

Doh.

Gretchen Bleiler Safety Run

19.02.10 / 08:33:12 AM

Gretchen the "All-American Golden Girl" from Aspen just had her second run and was definitely OVERSCORED.

it was a mellow run with 2 7's and a 540.

40.2 - she goes to 4th

Elena Hight gets down a tech combo

19.02.10 / 08:29:04 AM

USA's Elena Hight just put down a technical combo run but the height was a bet sketchy... lots of hits taking off under the lip.

Backside air
Front 9
Back 9
front 7
cab 7.

If it was bigger it would be good enough for top 3.

She gets 39... into 7th she'll have to go to the Semi's.

Torah's second run qualifying

19.02.10 / 08:24:37 AM

Torah just stomped her second run...

Backside 360
switch McTwist 720
Backside 540 japan
Air to fakie
Cab 720 indy

Height wasn't that big but the technical snowboarding was ridiculous..

HEr Score ....

45.8!! into 1st!

YEEEEAHHHH

Australian girls both in top six after first Run

19.02.10 / 08:16:58 AM

Torah Bright and Holly Crawford are looking good to go straight into the finals if they keep their spot after the next run.

Top 10 so far

Live Standings
Rank Athlete Score
1 12 USA CLARK Kelly 45.4
2 22 ESP CASTELLET Queralt 44.3
3 1 AUS BRIGHT Torah 41.3
4 14 USA TETER Hannah 39.7
5 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly 38.6
6 4 CHN SUN Zhifeng 38.2
7 6 USA BLEILER Gretchen 36.6
8 3 USA HIGHT Elena 35.7
9 10 JPN YAMAOKA Soko 34.8
10 11 JPN NAKASHIMA Shiho 31.4

NZ's Ju Bray first Qualy Run

19.02.10 / 08:14:46 AM

Ju Bray just landed her first run and scored a 17.8.

NZ's Kendall Brown up next - she's going last in the qualifying

NZ's Rebecca Sinclair First Qualifying Run

19.02.10 / 08:11:46 AM

Rebecca - only 19 from NZ just had her first run but crashed on a crippler when she threw the trick too early and nearly hit here head on the flip.

Must be nerves.. she's got one more run.

NBC coverage is so gay. Sooo many ads about the American girls and it's such Bullshit. Booooring. Put the pipe back on for the people to watch.

Queralt CASTELLET of Spain Insane first run

19.02.10 / 08:06:57 AM

Queralt of Spain just boosted an amazing run:

Backside 540 - 15 feet
front 9
Backside air
Frontside 5
backside air.

All her hits were so high and we think she should have been in first. The only girl to throw a 9 so far and she stomped it and kept her speed into the next hit.

Apparently the judges don't agree..

44.3 - 2nd behind Kelly Clarke.

It must be the combo. The Spaniard did 2 straight airs.

Suss.

All 4 US Women in the top six at the moment.

Weather and conditions

19.02.10 / 08:01:46 AM

The 22-foot Olympic halfpipe is in full sun again today for the second day in a row. Temp is 10 degrees Celsius.

"Pipe is really fast and really smooth - they fixed it.." Hannah Teter just said about the pipe.

THings have really turned around in this pipe since early in the week and it is now a dream pipe..

Holly Crawford into 4th after 1st run

19.02.10 / 07:55:55 AM

Australia's Holly Crawford just landed her first run and slides into 4th with a 38.6.

Top Six go straight into finals after the qualifying.

The next top 12 battle in the semis for the other 6 spots in the final.

Hannah Teter first run qualifying

19.02.10 / 07:51:59 AM

Nice run..

Back to back 5's cab 7 and a suitcase...??

This will be interesting to see what score she gets....

39.7

HERE comes Holly Crawford - Australia's halfpipe charger.

She's going to send it.

Kelly Clarke Singing some Hymns?

19.02.10 / 07:48:18 AM

Solid qualifying run...

Frontside air - 15 feet
back5
front 7 huge
cab 7 small
Front 5

Weird she was singing a church hymn at the top for ages...

She's in FIRST - 45.4

Puts Torah in Second

Hannah Teter Olympic Champ up next

19.02.10 / 07:42:49 AM

The Chinese rider scrubs out... here are the standings so far.

1 1 AUS BRIGHT Torah 41.3
2 4 CHN SUN Zhifeng 38.2
3 6 USA BLEILER Gretchen 36.6
4 3 USA HIGHT Elena 35.7
5 7 CHN LIU Jiayu 26.3
6 5 NOR BUAAS Kjersti 20.6
7 2 JPN OKADA Rana 7.2

Gretchen Blieler First run

19.02.10 / 07:39:28 AM

Solid run for GRetchen..

She was going about 8-10 foot out on the first hit... but got smaller down the run..

She did here crippler 7 and cab 7 combo but no 900. She must be holding it back for the finals.

36.6 - 3rd TOrah still in the lead.

Here comes the Chinese.... Uh oh - they boost

USA's Elena Height first run

19.02.10 / 07:37:14 AM

She pulls out back to back 720s on her first of two qualification runs.

35.7

TORAH BRIGHT's first run

19.02.10 / 07:33:08 AM

Torah is the first dropper in this event.

She posts a 41.8 out of 50. That's a solid first run. No double cork but I'm sure she has it in her mind. Bets trick was a cab 720.

Next up the Chinese - they are coming on strong.

Women's SNowboard Halfpipe

19.02.10 / 07:29:21 AM

Welcome to the Womens' Halfpipe 2010 Olympic event.

The qualifications are about to start.

Here is the start list:

Start Bib Athlete
1 1 AUS BRIGHT Torah
2 2 JPN OKADA Rana
3 3 USA HIGHT Elena
4 4 CHN SUN Zhifeng
5 5 NOR BUAAS Kjersti
6 6 USA BLEILER Gretchen
7 7 CHN LIU Jiayu
8 8 FRA RODRIGUEZ Sophie
9 9 CZE PANCOCHOVA Sarka
10 10 JPN YAMAOKA Soko
11 11 JPN NAKASHIMA Shiho
12 12 USA CLARK Kelly
13 13 CHN CAI Xuetong
14 14 USA TETER Hannah
15 15 AUS CRAWFORD Holly
16 16 CAN CONRAD Sarah
17 17 POL LIGOCKA Paulina
18 18 GBR MCKENNA Lesley
19 19 FRA THOVEX Mirabelle
20 20 NOR HAUG Linn
21 21 SLO SADAR Cilka
22 22 ESP CASTELLET Queralt
23 23 NZL SINCLAIR Rebecca
24 24 CAN TAYLOR Lauren
25 25 SUI PESKO Manuela Laura
26 26 CAN NICOLL Mercedes
27 27 NZL BRAY Juliane
28 28 SUI HALLER Ursina
29 29 NOR WIIK Lisa
30 30 NZL BROWN Kendall

2010 Olympic Men's Halfpipe Official Results

18.02.10 / 03:20:21 PM

1 USA WHITE Shaun 48.4
2 FIN PIIROINEN Peetu 45.0
3 USA LAGO Scotty 42.8
4 SUI PODLADTCHIKOV Iouri 42.4
5 USA VITO Louie 39.4
6 FIN KOSKI Markku 36.4
7 CAN LAMOUREUX Justin 35.9
8 JPN KOKUBO Kazuhiro 35.7
9 JPN AONO Ryo 32.9
10 FRA CREPEL Mathieu 25.9
11 FIN MALIN Markus 18.6
12 USA BRETZ Greg 18.3
13 FRA ZEBROWSKI Gary 36.1
14 JPN KUDO Kohei 33.5
15 FRA RICCIARDI Aluan 33.2
16 CHN ZENG Xiaoye 32.9
17 AUS MATES Ben 27.5
18 GBR KILNER Ben 17.0
19 FRA LONGO Arthur 34.5
20 GER SCHMIDT Christophe 32.3
21 AUS JAMES Scott 28.2
22 NZL HAMILTON James 28.0
23 CAN MARTIN Brad 27.5
24 FIN KORPI Janne 26.5
25 SUI BERGER Sergio 26.2
26 KOR KIM Ho-Jun 25.8
27 JPN MURAKAMI Daisuke 23.5
28 NOR HOLVIK Tore-V. 23.1
29 SUIK ELLER Markus 20.4
30 NOR SANDBECH Staale 20.1
31 ESP VERGES Ruben 19.5
32 CAN BATCHELOR Jeff 18.5
33 NZL BROWN Mitchell 18.4
34 NOR KLEIVDAL Roger-S 18.4
35 CHN SHI Wancheng 18.0
36 SUI HALLER Christian 16.0
37 NED WAL, VAN DER Dolf 14.5
38 POL LIGOCKI Michal 11.1
39 ITA PIETROPOLI Manuel 9.3
40 NOR AUSTBO Fredrik DNS

Shaun goes for the 1260 in his v-Lap

18.02.10 / 03:13:53 PM

White didn't hold back on the final Victory Lap. He went for his Olympic run and stomped the crap out of every trick way way out. He somehow brought that 1260 around, halfway through it looked like he would crash...

His run:
Backside air
Frontside double cork 1080
Cab double cork 1080
Frontside 540 stale
McTwist Double Cork 1260

Insane:

Score: 48.4 out of 50.

GOld - Shaun White -USA
Silver - Peetu Piiroinen - FIN
Bronze - Scotty Lago - USA

THat's it guys.

Lago goes down - SHAUN WHITE WINS

18.02.10 / 03:11:05 PM

Jeez...

Lago goes down on his double cork that has claimed so many riders in this final.

He threw an amazing method to kick off his run but couldn't hold it together on the double.

SHaun White is about to have a victory Lap

Lago gets BRONZE

Ipod goes down - Only Lago can beat Shaun W.

18.02.10 / 03:08:53 PM

I-pod goes down on a huge double cork mid run.

Scotty Lago has to really step up or its going to be a Shaun White victory run for the second time in a row at the olympics.

Here he goes dropping in.

Peetu GOing all out for top 3

18.02.10 / 03:07:08 PM

Huge front 720 into the Cab double cork 1080.
Straight air
back 9
front 9.

He gets 45.0!!
2nd.

Here comes I-Pod.

Loui Vito

18.02.10 / 03:04:26 PM

The man grom drops in but washes speed in the drop in.

THe rest of the run is hampered by low amplitude, although he manages to do his back to back double corks.

He misses his back 900 and settles for a 540 and ends with the comps first 1260 - frontside.
Score: 39.4

Here comes Peetu.

The Lone Canadian

18.02.10 / 03:01:22 PM

He stomps one of the best runs of his life but its not really enough.

Backside air
front 7
cab 1080
front 9
back 9

He's in 7th

Markuu Koski is up next. His wife Natasha Zurik is from Vancouver.

Markuu throws a few tricks at the top but looses his speed on the front 1080.

He throws in the towel with a few straight airs.

Here come the top 5 riders. Can anyone overthrow Shauns 4 point lead?

Ryo Aono of Japan

18.02.10 / 02:58:50 PM

THis guy has the most insane front 1080 flat spin. he has Samuri precision, but just like Kazu he goes down on the last hit over the line.. The Japanese are cursed.

But they rule...

Lameroux up next - the only Canuck.

Kazuhiro goes for it but...

18.02.10 / 02:56:16 PM

Again Kazu goes for it with immacualte riding and maybe the best looking trick of the comp (McTwist chicken wing) but he's come unstuck and puts a hand down on the double cork over the line. He's upset with himself.

The judges take no prisoners 37.5.. probably 10 points off for a hand down.

Mathieu Crepel third rider goes down

18.02.10 / 02:53:54 PM

France's wonder kid has gone down on the double cork mid run, that's three riders in a row.

BUT here comes KAZU.

Markus Malin and Bretz Second Run Finals

18.02.10 / 02:50:33 PM

Markus is first up in the final run of the finals.
The Finish rider falls on the third heat trying back to back double corks.
he's out of contention.

Greg Bretz of the USA up ...
Front side straight air
Backside nine japan
Frontside double cork 1080.... slips out.

Over for Greg as well.

Men's HP Finals FIrst Run results

18.02.10 / 02:46:19 PM

1 5 USA WHITE Shaun 46.8
2 38 USA LAGO Scotty 42.8
3 27 SUI PODLADTCHIKOV Iouri 42.4
4 37 FIN PIIROINEN Peetu 40.8
5 3 USA VITO Louie 39.1
6 36 FIN KOSKI Markku 36.4
7 26 CAN LAMOUREUX Justin 33.8
8 6 JPN AONO Ryo 32.9
9 28 JPN KOKUBO Kazuhiro 30.5
10 7 FRA CREPEL Mathieu 25.9
11 34 USA BRETZ Greg 18.3
12 23 FIN MALIN Markus 16.7

One run to go and Shaun pretty much has it on lockdown.

From what we saw in the first run, Kazuhiro is the only one who could have a chance to take the gold off Shaun if he lands.

Here we go...

Shaun Stomps but leaves backdoor wide open

18.02.10 / 02:37:23 PM

Shaun White's first run of the final and he was like 20 feet out of the pipe. He started with a huge backside air into back to back double 1080's. So So high. He then followed through with a front five stale and a backside nine to finnish.

But no Double McTwist 1260.

He still gets 46.8. 1st by nearly 4 points clear of Lago in Second.

He's celebrating like he's won.

The back door is open.. who can take advantage? the Judges have left some room in the score for someone to go higher. His backdoor is open!!?

that concludes the first run...

Peetu - the TTR World Champ 1st Run

18.02.10 / 02:34:56 PM

A huge Run form Peetu from Finalnd. He was boosting but he held back fromt he back to back double corks.

His score will reflect this I think.
40.8 3rd..

Shaun White up Next. Drum rolll.

Kazuhiro for Japn goes downski

18.02.10 / 02:31:58 PM

Kazuhiro just was on a gold medal run but falls on his double cork front 1080 over the line.

His run was insanely immaculate with a huge McTwist Chicken Wing McTwists even better than Terje..!??

More Japanese coming up.

Wonder what Shaun is doing...?

The I-Pod slides in from the backlands of Russia

18.02.10 / 02:27:30 PM

Swiss/Russian born I-pod just hammered a huge run that included:
back to back double corks.

He's got 42.4 not enough to go 1st. Lago still in lead.

Lago's run looked bigger and smoother.

Vito up now...
...

Loui kicks it off with a back to back double cork 1080's, straight air, back 9 and front side 1080.

His small size is helping him doing doubles... but not helping him going as high as Lago.

his Score: 39.1 3rd

Score update so far

18.02.10 / 02:25:41 PM

1 38 USA LAGO Scotty 42.8
2 36 FIN KOSKI Markku 36.4
3 26 CAN LAMOUREUX Justin 33.8
4 7 FRA CREPEL Mathieu 25.9
5 34 USA BRETZ Greg 18.3
6 23 FIN MALIN Markus 16.7

The Whole US Team is in the final

18.02.10 / 02:23:52 PM

All four riders are in the final here at the pipe in vancouver.
Young gun Greg Bretz just fell on his first run.

Markus Malin from Finland is up next this guy was throwing huge back to back double corks in semis

Scotty Lago dropped some hammers

18.02.10 / 02:21:18 PM

Scotty Lago USa.

Huge huge amplitude..

Front 10 corked
cab 10 double cork
huge front 5 indy
backside 900 corked..

42.8

Solid first score..

Onley is getting sketchy on the mic on channel 9.

Crepel slips out..

18.02.10 / 02:19:32 PM

Crepel of France just boosted his first 3 hits ..
front 10
double cork cab 10
double cork front 10 but slips out on the landing...

He's stepped his run up.. look out for the switch back 10 last hit next run..

25.9

Markuu Koski

18.02.10 / 02:17:55 PM

Melon
Front 10
cab 10
front 9
back 9
Alley oop back rodeo 540

Mathieu Crepel up next

Here we go

18.02.10 / 02:16:12 PM

Justin Lameroux has just had his run...
We are going in reverse order .

33.8. pretty solid.

Men's Halfpipe Finals Preview

18.02.10 / 01:18:24 PM

In just under 1 hour the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Halfpipe finals will begin with a who's who of global snowboarding occupying the start list.

The Shaun White Factor

No one can go past backing the flying red head. He has dominated in this halfpipe since the first day of practice. He has not even put down his "olympic run" yet, but still has posted the highest score of the event with a 45.8 out of possible 50.
In that run he did 2 of the double cork tricks (that he has made famous this year) but still has a third to unleash in the finals - the double McTwist 1260. No one else has this trick and if he lands his run Shaun will win.

Who Can Beat Shaun

Well from what we have seen so far there are two contenders - Peetu Pironien from Finland who is the current TTR world Tour leader. He has the second highest scores to Shaun from today and is matching Shaun with height and double cork tricks. He'll need to do a third double cork or go that much higher than Shaun to have a chance. This will be hard as Shaun usually goes the biggest.

Kazuhiro Kokubo of Japan is our other outsider chance to beat SW tonight. This is a bit of a long shot, but after what we saw of him in the qaulifying, Kazu could impress the judges with pure style, precision and amplitude. Kazu doesn't have a double cork and it would be the biggest controversy for someone to win gold without one, but it would be legitimate because style in snowboarding is known to be the most important thing a rider can have and Kazu is swimming in it. If he won it would be a win for the core snowboarding community.

Anyone could Win if Shaun falls

If the unthinkable happens in the final and Shaun White falls in both runs, the shockwave it will send through the rest of the field will empower everyone to think they can win it - and any of them (except for maybe Justin Lameroux of Canada) could take that spot.

The Judging So Far

Since it is such a subjective sport and we rely on judges - every competition can vary slightly.
Today the judges have awarded clean riding, amplitude and style over the amount of spins or combination of spins a rider can do.
A number of times we saw riders like Scotty Lago from the USA be scored high simply for his huge amplitude and super smooth style, boning and grabing his tricks all the way everytime. While riders not grabbing and spinning like ballerina's were scored down.

This is good as snowboarders being awarded points for runs without grabs is just not acceptable at this level. And as I said above, in Snowboarding Style is King.

Suprise tricks

Look out to see some dramatic new tricks in the final as riders pull out all stops to go for the podium. Some tricks that you might see that you haven't seen yet today include:
Shaun White's McTwist 1260
Greg Bretz's Frotnside 1260
Loui Vito's Frontside 1440
Matheui Crepel's Switch Backside 900/1080

It's going to be a great show see you in 30 minutes!

  • Russell Holt - Editor, Transfer Snowboarding Magazine.

Men's HP Finals Start List

18.02.10 / 01:04:17 PM

1 23 FIN MALIN Markus 42.9 (1) 42.9 F
2 34 USA BRETZ Greg 42.1 (2) 42.1 F
3 38 USA LAGO Scotty 41.3 (3) 41.3 F
4 7 FRA CREPEL Mathieu 37.2 (4) 22.6 (4) 37.2 F
5 36 FIN KOSKI Markku 37.1 (5) 12.8 (8) 37.1 F
6 26 CAN LAMOUREUX Justin 36.2 (6)

1 5 USA WHITE Shaun 45.8 (1) 10.8 (18) 45.8 F
2 6 JPN AONO Ryo 33.2 (2) 43.1 (1) 43.1 F
3 3 USA VITO Louie 26.1 (7) 41.8 (2) 41.8 F

1 37 FIN PIIROINEN Peetu 44.0 (1) 45.1 (1) 45.1 F
2 28 JPN KOKUBO Kazuhiro 42.1 (2) 42.5 (2) 42.5 F
3 27 SUI PODLADTCHIKOV Iouri 36.3 (5) 41.4 (3) 41.4 F

Top 6 now locked in to advance to finals

18.02.10 / 12:59:45 PM

With still 6 riders to go the top 6 are locked in and will advance to the finals.

Live Standings
Rank Bib Athlete Run 1 Run 2 Best
1 23 FIN MALIN Markus 42.9 (1) 42.9
2 34 USA BRETZ Greg 42.1 (2) 42.1
3 38 USA LAGO Scotty 41.3 (3) 41.3
4 7 FRA CREPEL Mathieu 37.2 (4) 37.2
5 36 FIN KOSKI Markku 37.1 (5) 37.1
6 26 CAN LAMOUREUX Justin 36.2 (6) 36.2

Zebrowski Just out of top 6

18.02.10 / 12:54:45 PM

Gazza tha big Zebrowski got rocked on the scores just then..

He put down a stomping run with multiple 10s and large amplitude but failed to get into the top 6 by.1 of a point.

Canada's Justin Lameroux is holding down that spot... I'm not suggesting anything???

Ben Mates second run semis

18.02.10 / 12:49:59 PM

Holy... he just sent it..

Aussies Ben Mates just did the hugest air to Fakie and 7 combos....

Ulladulla will be screaming right now..

front 9
back 5
Air to fakie
cab 7
front 7

His score is: 27.5 ? his Olympics are done, but what a last run.

Second run of semis about to start - Pipe perfect

18.02.10 / 12:45:04 PM

The pipe is looking amazing right now - perfect halfpipe riding ocnditions. Air temp just above zero and snow about minus 2.

The lights are on and visibility is perfect.

A miraculous transformation from the last few practice days that was hampered by rain and worm weather.

Thank God - snowboarding can show the world what its got.

standings after 1 run in Semis

18.02.10 / 12:38:16 PM

Live Standings
Rank Athlete Score
1 23 FIN MALIN Markus 42.9
2 34 USA BRETZ Greg 42.1
3 38 USA LAGO Scotty 41.3
4 7 FRA CREPEL Mathieu 37.2
5 36 FIN KOSKI Markku 37.1
6 26 CAN LAMOUREUX Justin 36.2
7 16 FRA RICCIARDI Aluan 33.2
8 1 CHN ZENG Xiaoye 32.9
9 30 JPN KUDO Kohei 30.6
10 2 FRA ZEBROWSKI Gary 20.1
11 14 AUS MATES Ben 3.6
12 9 GBR KILNER Ben 3.1

BEN MATES TO DROP IN NEXT - last chance to make the top 6 and go into the finals...

Last two riders Semi run 1

18.02.10 / 12:33:11 PM

RICCIARDI Aluan of France just scored 33.2. Judging is getting hard to justify.. that guys run was insane. But a little on edge.

BRETZ Greg from the USA last rider puts down a super tech run. finishing with back to back double cork 1080's and a frontside 1080 tail grab.. WHOA..

Score????

waiting...

42.1 !!

He goes into second.

Judges scoring height and style over tricks

18.02.10 / 12:31:19 PM

Scotty Lago's high score against China's ZENG Xiaoye score just showed the judges are scoring style and amplitude higher than spinning to win - good to hear!

ballerina snowboarding is gay.

Scotty Lago first Semi run 41.3

18.02.10 / 12:28:24 PM

Simple run for Scotty but his huge amplitude and style pays off.

Backside air
front 10
cab 7
front 5
back 9 corked

Mathieu CRepel getting tech

18.02.10 / 12:23:21 PM

FRance's mini man stomps an super technical run.

front 10
cab 10 double cork
front 9
backside air to fakie
switch back 720

36.2 =2nd

Scotty Lago up

Ben Mates sacks his first

18.02.10 / 12:20:02 PM

Matesy just washed out on his first run... he's got another..

Markus Malin just pulled an amazing run including back to back double corkl 1080's - the first we've seen today and a sign of the ante gettin upped...

He scores 42.6. IN the lead.

GBR rider Ben Kilner crashes out too.

Men's Halfpipe Semi Finals about to start.

18.02.10 / 12:15:17 PM

Australia's Ben Mates will be the first to drop in..

The lights are on and the sun is nearly down.. its a great day in Vancouver for Pipe riding.

Riders have 2 runs - 2 chances to make the top 6 and move into the finals

The Semi Start List

Start Bib Athlete
1 14 AUS MATES Ben
2 26 CAN LAMOUREUX Justin
3 2 FRA ZEBROWSKI Gary
4 23 FIN MALIN Markus
5 9 GBR KILNER Ben
6 30 JPN KUDO Kohei
7 7 FRA CREPEL Mathieu
8 38 USA LAGO Scotty
9 1 CHN ZENG Xiaoye
10 36 FIN KOSKI Markku
11 16 FRA RICCIARDI Aluan
12 34 USA BRETZ Greg