Aspen, CO – Canadian rider Mark McMorris overcame a perfect run by Torstein Horgmo of Norway to capture his first Winter X Games gold medal in Snowboard Big Air to close out Friday night at Winter X Games Aspen 2012.
“X Games is something that I have watched since I was super young and all of my idols have been here,” said an energetic and excited McMorris, of Regina, Saskatchewan. “To end up on top of the podium in the biggest event in snowboarding is such a good feeling. All the support has been insane.”
Both McMorris and last year’s gold medalist Horgmo pulled off the vaunted Triple Cork, with Horgmo scoring a perfect 50. But McMorris’ collection of work put him on top of the medal stand.
“It was amazing,” silver medalist Horgmo said. “I am so stoked for Mark. It seemed like we kept pushing each other. It was just a good session out there.”
The man known affectionately known as “Seb Toots,” Sebastien Toutant took home the bronze to go along with his silver from last year’s event.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Winter X Games
Buttermilk Mountain – Aspen, Colo. – Jan. 27, 2012
Snowboard Big Air
| Name | Bib No. | Hometown | Score | |
| 1. | Mark McMorris | 509 | Regina, SK, Canada | 80.00 |
| 2. | Torstein Horgmo | 507 | Oslo, Norway | *76.00 |
| 3. | Sebastien Toutant | 514 | Montreal, QC, Canada | *76.00 |
| 4. | Eric Willett | 516 | Breckenridge, Colo. | *76.00 |
| 5. | Seppe Smits | 512 | Westmalle, Belgium | 68.00 |
* Tie is broken by rider’s highest individual score; Horgmo 50, Toutant 41 and Willett 39.