The Burton US Open has one of the biggest prize purses of any snowboard contest. The Burton Global Open Series (BGOS) ends with the US Open as the final stop. A check of $100,000 will be awarded to both Male and Female with the highest standings in the BGOS. This is the largest single cash prize payout in snowboard competition history. The Burton US open is also the last stop of the Swatch TTR Tour, there will be $50,000 awarded to the top Male and Female of the tour.
Womens Halfpipe
1st- $20,000
2nd- $10,000
3rd- $5,000
Mens Halfpipe
1st- $20,000
2nd- $10,000
3rd- $5,000
Womens Slopestyle
1st- $20,000
2nd- $10,000
3rd- $5,000
Mens Slopestyle
1st- $20,000
2nd- $10,000
3rd- $5,000
Womens Big Air
Sobe Sick Trick (Best Trick)- $2,500
1st- $10,000
2nd- $5,000
3rd- $2,500
Mens Big Air
Sobe Sick Trick (Best Trick)- $2,500
1st- $10,000
2nd- $5,000
3rd- $2,500
None of the riders in the superpipe were holding back. These kids are the next generation. The pre-qualifications consisted of two heats, with over 116 riders. Every rider battled to qualify in the top 40 spots. After qualifying the snowboarders will compete for the finals, which has only 10 spots. The main stand out of the day was Shayne Pospisil. This kid is blowing up, qualifying first for superpipe, after placing 2nd in the Arctic challenge. He is currently living in Mammoth Lakes, CA and rides for Head snowboards.
Judging was based on overall impression of the course. The judges wanted to see different tricks, not just frontside or backside spins. They judged on variations, style, and they also wanted to see tricks that have never been done in competition.
The slopestyle practice was also going off. The course starts with a rail hit (Kink or flat down box) followed by another rail hit (flat rail or a flat box) followed by 4 jumps. They have huge lips and landings, so the riders can throw down harder than previous years. Chas Guldemond was slaying the course. Throwing down huge 9's and cab 7's. Check out his sequence and other pictures below.
Harrison Gray is from Canada and nose how to grab his board eh'.
Ben Watts is a young gunner and at 15years old he knows how to stay in control to reserve him a fifth place spot in pre-qualifications.
Jeremy Black gets lifted mid way through his practice run.
Ben Watts, this kid is not camera shy.
Unidentified ripper gets it during the US Open halfpipe pre qualifiers.
Shayne Pizzle Pospisil placed first in the halfpipe qualifiers out of about 120 riders.
Shayne is an animal. He tears up the pipe, qualified first for halfpipe, and is pre qualified for slopestyle. During halfpipe qualifiers he would take his run and head over to the slopestyle course to put some damage on the jumps as well.
See Shayne Pospisil is no joke.
Slopestyle: Group slip and course evaluation. Everything looks good as long as the weather doesn't shift and create slower conditions.
Snowrev.com owner John Centi mid spin in the slopestyle course.
Chas going all out. This kid has enough energy to light up the world for sixty days. Throwing down and charging like always.
Chas boosting on the second jump in the line of four. Wow!