SNOWBOARDING:

Japan’s Aono, China’s Cai win World Cup halfpipe at Calgary

Feb. 27, 2011 — Canada Snowboard 

CALGARY, Alberta — The result of Saturday’s halfpipe finals, presented by Ripzone, saw a sprinkling of countries on the podium. China, Australia and Japan topped both men and women’s riding at the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup at WinSport Canada’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary.

Competition was tight and the numbers were close in both groups. The leader of the halfpipe World Cup standings, Japanese rider Ryo Aono, won the men’s contest with 28.3 points. This is Aono’s second win in a week; he took gold at Stoneham, Que., at last week’s world cup stop.

Australian rider Nathan Johnstone came in a close second with 27.7 points. Aono and Johnstone are  in first and second place in the standings. Yiwei Zhang of China finished in third place with 27 points. All three riders landed some amazing tricks, keeping the rowdy crowd of fans on their toes.

“Hopefully if I can kick in a few more podiums it’ll keep me in the race for the globe at the end of the season,” commented Johnstone. “They’re all great riders. It’s great just to be on the podium with them.”

The only Canadian to compete in the halfpipe final was four-time reigning national champion Brad Martin from Ancaster, Ont. Martin’s qualifying run of 23.6 sealed him a spot in the finals, yet he was unable to land a run in Saturday’s competition, finishing in 10th spot. Martin placed fifth at last week’s World Cup at Stoneham, his best result of the season.

“It sucks to make it to the finals and not land a run,” remarked Martin. “Thanks to all the sponsors that put this World Cup on and helped us get here.”

The women’s competition was also tight. Chinese rider Xuetong Cai placed first with 24.9 points, followed closely by Australian rider Holly Crawford, who scored a 23, landing her the silver medal. These two athletes had the same placing last week at Stoneham and are also first and second in the overall standings. Haruna Matsumoto of Japan received the bronze medal.

The weather was warmer Saturday than it had been all week. Athletes were competing in minus-33 degrees leading up to the finals day.

Thanks to all the volunteers and event staff that made this World Cup a success. Over 75 volunteers covered 180 shifts over the week. They battled the elements all week and did an excellent job building and maintaining the course and supporting the event both on and off the snow.

The event was made possible by the generous support our event partners and sponsors: LG, Swatch, FIS, Travel Alberta, Government of Alberta, Canada, WinSport Canada, RBC, Ripzone, Garnier, Delta Bow Valley, Oakley, Rockstar, The Source, Calgary Hotel Association, New Era, Coors Light, Chaos, Cold FX, Dose.ca, Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corp., Light and Soul, The Camera Store, Challenge Industries, Vinci Parking, Cork Wines, Tourism Calgary, The Calgary Sun, 24 Hour and Jam Tight Productions.