Copper Mountain, CO – The 2009 U.S. Snowboarding Revolution Tour kicked off Wednesday with the U.S. Snowboarding rookies picking up five of the six podium spots with Matt Ladley (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Lizzy Beerman (Weston, VT) taking the wins.n
“They really killed it. They’re riding so well,” said U.S. Snowboarding Freestyle Development Coach Bud Keene. “They’ve been used to competing at a higher level, so they felt a little bit of the pressure off today competing in the Rev Tour, which allowed them to ride at a higher level.”
Beerman, who ran a frontside air, backside air, frontside nine, backside 5 frontside 5, was stoked to land a coveted trick in her run.
“It felt really great because that was only the second time I’ve ever landed a front nine in competition and I landed it in both of my contest runs, so that was an accomplishment,” Beerman said. “I’ve had kind of a tough run of luck this season and it feels really good to have this under my belt.”
Fellow rookie Kaitlyn Farrington (Bellevue, ID) followed Beerman in second and Rebecca Sinclair of New Zealand in third.
Ladley, who is returning to competition from an injury, laid down a frontside nine, backside nine, frontside 10, cab 7, straight air for the win.
“I’m pretty stoked to be back riding and riding well. I focused a lot to get everything back and it’s been working really well,” Ladley said. “It felt really good. I’ve definitely been getting better at amplitude in the last year and everything had really good landing so I think that’s what did it for me.”
Zac Black (Breckenridge, CO) took the second-place spot and Broc Waring (Edwards, CO) was third.
Farrington, along with Zac Black (Breckenridge, CO) were awarded the UnderArmour trick of the day. Black landed a frontside 1080 while Farrington made a cab 7.
“It was the first time I’ve landed a cab 7 in a contest so I was relieved to land it and be recognized for it,” Farrington said.
The U.S. Snowboarding Revolution Tour continues Friday with slopestyle.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 U.S. SNOWBOARDING REVOLUTION TOUR
Copper Mountain, CO – Jan. 14, 2009
Halfpipe
Men’s
1. Matt Ladley, Steamboat Springs, CO, 140
2. Zac Black, Breckenridge, CO, 112
3. Broc Waring, Edwards, CO, 84
4. Ben Watts, Bend, OR, 70
5. Brett Esser, Silverthorne, CO, 63
Women’s
1. Lizzy Beerman, Weston, VT, 220
2. Kaitlyn Farrington, Bellevue, ID, 176
3. Rebecca Sinclair, New Zealand, 132
4. Faye Gulini, Salt Lake City, 110
5. Mikaela Casey, Mound, MN, 99