Nick Goepper claims Ski Slopestyle gold at X Games Aspen 2013
America’s Nick Goepper put on a superb performance in the final of the Ski Slopestyle to walk away with the gold medal at X Games Aspen 2013 in Aspen, Colorado, on Sunday, January 27.
Sweden’s Henrik Harlaut finished in second place to take home the silver medal, while James Woods of Great Britain claimed third position to secure the last remaining spot on the podium while earning a bronze medal for his efforts.
The crowd in attendance at Buttermilk Mountain expected to get blown away with a series of mesmerising performances, considering the level of talent that was in contention for the coveted X Games medals at what is considered to be the biggest stage of winter
action sports.
The athletes themselves were expected to hold nothing back and put their skills as well as the amount of progress they had made since the last edition of the ESPN-hosted event on display.
Goepper was determined to collect a gold medal this year after barely missing out on it the previous year, when he was bumped to second place by Tom Wallisch in the final minutes of the contest.
The 18-year-old Indiana-based skier stole the show with his third run, which earned a score of 94.00 from the judges for the technical mastery and smooth style.
With the score holding up until the end, Goepper walked away with a medal that action sports athlete around the world crave for.
"I've been dreaming of this moment since I was a little kid. I just got off the phone with my mom and she said, 'Remember when you were really young and you said I want to win the X Games?' And she said, 'I never thought it would happen. And now you're here.'
It's the best day of my life," said an ecstatic Goepper after the results.
Harlaut was nothing short of impressive during the final either and finished with a score of 92.66 off his third run, which featured a nose butter double cork 1260.
X Games rookie also earned his place on the podium through his third run that scored 92.00 for a smooth and stylish execution of tricks.
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