SOCHI 2014 – Scotty James is crowned FIS World Halfpipe Champion

January 20th, 2014

Mountainwatch | Alex Horvath

Young Scotty James has taken the next step in his burgeoning halfpipe career by taking out the top spot in the 2013/2014 FIS World Halfpipe Championship. Scotty took out his first ever World Cup medal at the last FIS sanctioned halfpipe event of the season in Stoneham, Canada. This third place finish placed Scotty ahead of Ryo Aono and Jan Scherrer.

This medal is likely to give Scotty the confidence boost he needs heading into the Olympics in only three weeks time. After a disappointing first run, Scotty pulled out all stops and threw a frontside lien, back 540 mute, frontside 1080 tail, cab 1080 double cork indy and a frontside double to end it to score an 84.50 – just enough to throw him into third place.

The Japanese shredder, Ryo Aono, proved he will be up there with the hardest to beat in the pipe come Sochi by dropping a solid run that scored him a 92 and the top step on the podium.

After such a solid halfpipe performance, Scotty was able to back it up with a slopestyle run that landed him 9th place in today’s final. With a bit of luck, this result will ensure him a place in the Slopestyle field in Sochi.

Next up in the pre-olympics competition circuit is next week’s X Games, after Shaun White pulled out of this year’s event to focus on Sochi the field will be wide open…