COMP WRAP – Audi Winter Games – Cardrona
The standard of riding this year was very high, as athletes are all battling for FIS points to qualify for Sochi 2014 Image:: Getty Images
Mountainwatch | Caitlin Reid
Sunny days, a perfect halfpipe and mind blowing tricks made the Snowboard Halfpipe at the Audi Winter Games unmissable. A vital event in the FIS World Cup circuit, the riders were giving it their all to secure spots for the Sochi Olympics next year. This was great news for spectators, with huge double corks, inverted spins and super stylish tricks gracing the Wells Pipe at Cardrona, New Zealand. Aussie riders placed well, with Scotty James, Nate Johnstone and Holly Crawford ranked solidly for the remainder of the World Tour, and others edging their way into the top 30 Olympic spots.
So who did what? Men’s winner, Japan’s 14 year old snow-ninja Ayumu Hirano amazed the crowd with an absolutely incredible first run in the final. With lightning fast speed, huge amplitude in the pipe and spinning faster than a blender, Hirano’s winning run went from mind-blowing to ridiculous; backside tail into a front 1080 double cork tail, cab 1080 mute, frontside 1080 double cork cab 720 indy. Don’t speak snowboarding? A 1080 is three full horizontal spins. Mix that with two off axis back flips (double corks) and super styling grabs (indy and mute) and you’ve got a crowd pleasing run. And this was all at his first World Cup event.
Who else? The big names were around, but sadly, Shaun White was sidelined with an ankle injury. X-Games regular and world renowned American, Scotty Lago, slipped out on the icy transition, unfortunately not progressing through to the semis. Aussie Scott James stomped massive 1080s, and back nines ranking sixth overall. Teammate Nate Johnstone came a close seventh busting out a switch 1080 and smooth back nine. While he didn’t make it past the semis, Aussie Kent Callister’s massive method grab, and huge inverted seven was a crowd favourite. Overall, the men’s halfpipe was dominated by the Japanese, with three riders taking out the top four spots.
The girls are bringing more inverted spins, higher amplitude and harder tricks to the halfpipe than ever before. Back nines are now beginning to feature in the Women’s competition, with Canadian Mercedes Nicoll making it through to the Semi Finals with this impressive trick. Aussie Holly Crawford ranked seventh overall, smoothly landing a massive front seven on her finals run. American winner, Kelly Clark, enjoyed her 61st career win with frontside air, backside 540 mute, frontside 1080 lien, cab 720 mute, and frontside stalefish. Rumours around the tour is that this incredible rider is perfecting the double cork, a trick yet to feature in Women’s Halfpipe. Torah Bright did not compete, but will continue to contend for an Olympic Halfpipe spot in the upcoming months.
Australia’s team is looking solid for the upcoming Olympics, and halfpipe coach Ben Alexander is confident in the riders; “they have great team dynamics, train well together, and have huge potential. They’re incredible athletes, as well as a great group of people.” Based out of Colorado’s Breckenridge in the Aussie summer, and Cardrona in the winter, the Aussies are definitely contenders for high rankings at the Olympics. Ben says “the sport is progressing hugely, with the riders spending hours in the gym. Rumour has it Mr S. White may be revealing the first triple cork in the halfpipe soon.”Imagine that? We’re on the edge of our seats!
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