2008 Burton US Open: Halfpipe
Photos: Andrew Miller, Joe Carter
Words: Joe Carter
,Video: Mark Dangler
The winds subsided and the skies came to a complete clearning for the second day of the 26th Annual U.S. Open, as Stratton Mountain, Vermont played host to the highly anticipated Superpipe Contest. Some of the worlds best riders showed up for what is known as one of the most prestigious and historic events in the earthly realm of snowboarding. This being my first time at the open it became apparent just how big of an event this was. Whether it be the Burton helicopter hovering over the pipe, the hordes of Shaun White fans swooning and starving for an autograph or the fact that the Open has be being held before most of the riders in it were even around to walk let alone ride a snowboard, it was clear to me the Open is not an average event. As for the incentive for the riders, twenty thousand dollars was to be the payout for both the men’s and women’s winner for the day along with even larger checks to be given to the winners of the Ticket to Ride series and the Burton Global Open Series.
For the women, there were no damsels in distress to be found as riders such as Kelly Clark, Ellery Hollingsworth, Gretchen Bleiler, and Torah Bright made their way down the stunt ditch with proper maneuvers. Kelly was going huge on all of her hits, her lofty airs and spins easily made her a standout and she and Gretchen were both stomping front nines. In the end though, Torah Bright came through for the win with her runs which included a switch backside 720. With her win in the U.S. Open Torah not only claimed the $20,000 for first place in the pipe but also $5,000 for best trick with her switch backside 720 and another $100,000 for winning the Burton Global Open Series. On top of all of this for her first place pipe finish Torah won a ticket to the New Zealand Open in August, not that she really couldn’t afford it with the massive amount of money she made out with today.
The men rode into the second day of the U.S. Open with a roster of big name pipe slayers. While the conditions had been proving to be difficult during both the women’s and men’s finals, riders were still managing to link together runs. Easily one of the highlights of the day here came not from one of the competitors but rather being able to see Terje Hakonsen, who taught most of the riders here today what style is, poach through the pipe with smooth airs and tweaks. As the men’s finals got under way Mason Aguirre continued to show that he has one of the best styles out there with this slow and smooth 5’s off the bat. Burton Global Open Series winner Peetu Piiroinen and others mad it tough on the judges by tossing solid 1080’s and Green Mountain State, Vermont local boy Kevin Pearce held together his run to take third place. Scotty Lago had all the pieces of the puzzle there but couldn’t put them together for the win although he did win best trick for his double cork 1080. When all was said and done it was none other than “The Flying Tomato” or “The Animal” or whatever his most current nickname be, the kid who seems to win every contest he enters, Shaun White as the winner. Mr. White was promptly escorted towards the podium area to receive another $20,000 check for the weekend, nothing new to him.
Bluebird skies this time of year aren’t an every day occurrence in Vermont, but the weather brought out a large crowd and the riders followed suit with a caliber of riding that makes the U.S. Open known one of the worlds best contests. Grabs were grabbed, spins were spun, and winners were announced allowing certain riders to come away with much larger wallets while the events will continue into Saturday evening, on the big air jump where an equal quality list of riders will compete to lay waste to a massive kicker.
2008 Burton US Open Halfpipe Results:
Men
1. Shaun White – 91.00 – $20,000
2. Mason Aguirre – 84.00 – $10,000
3. Kevin Pearce – 82.17 – $5,000
Men's Zune Best Trick Award: Scotty Lago, double-cork 1080 - $5,000
Women
1. Torah Bright – 84.17 – $20,000
2. Kelly Clark – 79.33 – $10,000
3. Gretchen Bleiler – 74.50 – $5,000
Women's Zune Best Trick Award: Torah Bright, switch backside 720 - $5,000
Burton Global Open Winners
Peetu Piiroinen – $100,000
Torah Bright – $100,000
Click Below for the 2008 US Open Halfpipe Video:
- Another clear blue bird day in Vermont on Saturday for pipe finals
- THISISFRENDS.COM Scotty Lago sends an alley-oop over head
- The crowds were out in full force today
- Janne Korpi
- These dudes love giving moustache rides. Mikkel Bang and Danny Davis are FRENDS
- Mason Aguirre
- A few FRENDS and friends
- The man the myth the legend Terje Haakonsen
- It was quite the treat to watch Terje taking laps down the pipe all day.
- Torah Bright after her winning run.
- Kier holding it down for the FRENDS crew. One guess wich animal he is on the sign.
- Kazu stoked to be at the Open
- Kazu going huge grabbing some sun.
- Danny Davis on the injured list this year... Still came out to support the THISISFRENDS crew.
- Scotty Lago boosting well over the 20ft marker.
- Jack still alive and alittle sore from his record breaking air to ass first on the lip of the QP over at the Air and Style. Go to the TTR site and watch the clip... its insane that he didn't break his whole body in half.
- Mason Aguirre alway has so much style.
- Mad heads
- Master poacher Mr. Nick Russell get some hits in during finals.
- Mason blocking the sun with his now signature back five first hit... so sick
- Kevin and Mason hangin at the bottom of the pipe.
- Scotty huge first hit from another view
- Torah and Ellery watching the guys final run
- Janne Korpi
- Luke Mitrani and Shaun White
- I moustache you a question Mikkel
- Shaun huge over head boned front five.
- Shaun White Numero uno
- Greg Bretz mid 1080. Greg is only 17 and was on a rampage today. Be on the look out for this kid.
- I wonder if Luke told anyone? THISISFRENDS.COM
- "Scotty Lago is the best person at blowing contests" - Preston Strout...ha.. Lago had such a killer run he definitely could of won if he had landed!
- Kevin's whole family was out to watch him compete wearing matching green KP shirts. Here Kevin poking a stylish first hit.
- Shaun victory lap
- Shaun White taking the US Open pipe for the 2nd year in a row.
- That's a wrap on the halfpipe here in Stratton. See you next year!
- Torah and Lago taking best trick. Torah sharing the wealth throwing out her Zune 8 gig player and some free goggles to the crowd!
- Women's Podium - L-R Gretchen Bleiler 3rd, Torah Bright 1st, Kelly Clark 2nd
- Mens Podium - L-R: Kevin Pearce 3rd, Shaun White 1st, Mason Aguirre 2nd.
- Kevin is a rich man. TTR tour champ
- Peetu Gobal Open Series champ winning $100,000.
- Torah and Peetu Gobal series Champs. How many kids this age to do you see winning 100 grand for snowboarding! Insane!
2008 BURTON US OPEN
Slopestyle Report
Slopestyle Video
Halfpipe Video
Big Air Report
Big Air Video