TIGNES, France (March 21) – On his 25th birthday, Louie Vito (Sandy, UT) locked in his second X Games gold with an outstanding third run, providing a climactic end to an all-time X Games Tignes halfpipe competition. After a few minutes of deliberation, the judges awarded Vito a score of 92.66, just 0.66 points ahead of Arthur Longo from France. Vito was fifth going into his final, but his amplitude and execution put him above the star-studded field of international athletes.
HIGHLIGHTS
- On his third run and the final run of the competition, Louie Vito (Sandy, UT) came through to win X Games gold.
- His outstanding run provided a climactic end to an all-time X Games Tignes halfpipe competition.
- After a few minutes of deliberation, the judges awarded Vito a score of 92.66, just 0.66 points ahead of Arthur Longo from France.
- It was Vito's second X Games gold medal. He also won gold at Tignes in 2011.
- Vito was fifth going into his final, but his amplitude and execution on his double 1080 put him above the star-studded field of international riders.
- Luke Mitrani (Mammoth Lakes, CA) fell during his first run, landed a clean second run and then got bumped off the podium after he was unable to improve his second run score.
- Benji Farrow (Ludlow, VT) crept into finals but couldn't put a run to his feet despite stomping a nice cab double.
- Scotty Lago (Seabrook, NH) qualified second but came down hard in his first two runs and opted out of the third.
- The clear weather and slick halfpipe enabled riders to pick up speed quickly and go huge.
- Louie Vito’s run: Double crippler, double Michalchuck, front double 1080, cab double 1080, front crippler.
QUOTES
Louie Vito
I didn't even know that I won because when they gave me my score—Arthur's run was so good. It was amazing. If I would have gotten second to Arthur I would have been fine with that. He rode so well. I just wanted to know my score so it wasn't a waiting game and keep the night going and enjoy it. I woke up this morning feeing really old because I just turned 25, so I was a little sore!
I don't know what it is about this place, but the pipe is always so good. I think it's the snow consistency. I've been having a great time riding this out with everyone through the snow and blizzard. I was more nervous when the contest started because of the first run Arthur put down. It was like "Wow! It's going to be like that now, already!" I felt good, but I just enjoy riding here.
This year I was really struggling with my double Michalchuck. A lot of times I do single ones, and they have changed and evolved in different ways. Since I don't really do the double the tradition way, it's a weird thing. It's hard to fix and it comes back to focusing on the first flip. This time I tried to go as big as possible into it. If I didn't get the first flip I could still get it good enough to put it to my feet somehow. I've just been really working on getting the first one flipped and unfortunately it didn't work out at the Open for me. I am just happy to get to my feet. I pretty much chucked the Michalchuk as hard as I could.
RESULTS
Official Results Men
Get social with us on Facebook and Twitter.
