BRECKENRIDGE, CO (Dec. 12, 2015) – Shaun White (Carlsbad, CA) made a triumphant return to the top of the podium at Saturday’s superpipe competition at the Breckenridge Dew Tour. In true Shaun White style, he handled the challenging conditions better than the rest of the field and earned the win at his first competition since a surprising fourth-place finish at the 2015 Aspen X Games.
Snowy weather continued on Breckenridge Mountain for the men’s snowboard superpipe final. Though conditions had improved slightly from when the women ran earlier in the day, the fresh snow and flat light still made it difficult for the world’s best halfpipe riders at the first major competition of the year. The American men fared well despite the wintry weather, scoring five of the top 10 spots.
White’s winning run included his signature enormous method on his first hit and the trick he pioneered—a double cork backside 1260. Ayumu Hirano of Japan earned the second place spot on the podium with a lofty, stylish run that included crippler with a Japan grab and back-to-back double cork 1080s. Iouri Podlatchikov of Switzerland rounded out the podium and though he also attempted a double backside 1260 in his first run, he landed low, losing speed and had to make adjustments in his second run due to the slow conditions.
Defending Dew Tour champion Taylor Gold (Steamboat Springs, CO) finished just off the podium in fourth, with a run that included a double Michalchuk. Gold’s run was good, and he only missed the podium by two tenths of a point. Brett Esser (Breckenridge, CO) and Matt Ladley (Steamboat Springs, CO) both rode well, finishing fifth and seventh respectively.
The rest of the American field: Ben Ferguson (Bend, OR) was ninth; Chase Josey (Hailey, ID) was 11th; Gabe Ferguson (Bend, OR) was 12th.
For all the rest of the Dew Tour action from Breckenridge, check out the online schedule. Then, go to the Dew Tour livestream to watch your favorite athletes in action. Or tune in to the TV broadcast on NBC.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Shaun White bested the rest of the field by more than three points to take the win in his first competition since taking fourth place at the 2015 X Games Aspen.
- White's win was his first major event win since taking the Mammoth Mountain halfpipe in January 2014 going into Sochi.
- White’s winning run: backside air, frontside double cork 1080, Cab double cork 1080, frontside air, backside double cork 1260, frontside 540.
- U.S. Snowboarding rider Taylor Gold barely missed the podium, finishing fourth. His sister, Arielle Gold (Steamboat Springs, CO) also finished fourth in the women’s comp earlier in the day.
- Out of 12 finalists, seven of them were American. U.S. athletes scored five of the top-10 spots.
QUOTES
Shaun White
(The weather) is tough because I wanted to break out some new tricks but I’m definitely happy to be riding as well as I am. Everybody’s in the same boat, so if I can twist my perspective to project a positive outcome then usually it will work. I have plenty of new tricks…just get the snow out of the pipe and I’ll be ready.
Taylor Gold
I was having a lot of trouble with speed, especially toward the bottom of the pipe, so just to put a run down I’m happy, but I definitely would’ve liked to have been on the podium. I have some new tricks that I really want to have ready by the next contest.
RESULTS
Men’s Superpipe Results
