Elena Hight disrupts Kelly Clark’s winning streak at 2012 Burton US Open – Snowboarding News
America’s Elena Hight claimed top honours in women’s halfpipe finals at the 6Star Burton US Open that continued at Stratton Mountain in Vermont on Saturday, March 10.
Kelly Clark, renowned for her pipe prowess, was forced to settle for runner-up while Ellery Hollingsworth completed the all-American podium.
Heading to the final stop of the 2011/12 season of Ticket to Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour, which was also the last stop of Burton Global Open Series, all eyes were on Clark and her winning streak of 16. She had dominated the pipe throughout the season
and was expected to put on a memorable show as the tour came to her home town.
However, the final of women’s halfpipe at the 30th anniversary of Burton US Open belonged to Hight. The 22-year-old Hawaiian refused to bow down to her intimidating rival and pushed herself to the limit to land a run that was arguably one of the
best runs to be landed in women’s halfpipe competition. The run featured a huge method air that was followed by a front-side 720 Japan air, Cab 7 mute grab, front-side 900 melon grab to backside 900 mute grab, eventually capping off the run with an alley-oop
backside rodeo.
Scoring an 86.50 for the effort, the American rider moved into the lead that held up until the end to earn her top honours, bringing an end to Clark’s huge winning streak.
“It was definitely an amazing day out here and all the girls are just pushing it,” Hight said. “Kelly is the level that we've all been trying to reach. ... Kelly's been inspiring for the last two years, to all of us, and it's definitely been something to
strive for. I couldn't be happier.”
The 28-year-old Clark finished just behind Hight in second place after scoring an 86.19 off her third run that featured a front-side 900, backside 540 mute grab, front-side 720 mute grab, Cab 720 mute grab and front-side inverted 720 stale-fish grab.
Talking to a reporter after the podium presentation, Clark said, “I love being in Vermont because everybody's so supportive. I guess if I was going to break my streak I might as well break it here 'cause they're still gonna love me.”
A series of superb performances by the Vermont local at the halfpipe competitions over the year and the runner-up position at the latest stop of the TTR World Snowboard series earned her the 2011/12 TTR World Halfpipe title.
Hollingsworth also managed to secure a place on the podium after putting on a pretty impressive for a score of 80.56. Her top run included a Michalchuk backside rodeo, the trick that earned her the Creative Use of Space award and $5,000 cheque from the event
sponsor Mini.
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