Breckenridge, CO – American freeskier Brita Sigourney’s amplitude and technical tricks won the judges over at women’s halfpipe finals at the Dew Tour in Breckenridge on Friday. Teammate Maddie Bowman, whose run featured left and right 900’s with strong grabs, landed her in second, while Canada’s Rosalind Groenewoud, or “Roz G”, took third. In men’s competition, Canada’s Justin Dorey took the win ahead of Dew Cup champ Byron Wells of New Zealand, with Canada’s Mike Riddle completing the podium.
It was the first competition back for Sigourney, of Carmel, Calif., after she suffered a knee injury in late February.Her winning run featured impressive amplitude with a 900 and 540’s spinning both left and right.
“I am so happy right now with my skiing, to come off a knee injury and after having to sit out the rest of the season last year was such a bummer and this is so rewarding,” said Sigourney. “I have been training at the Center of Excellence all summer and fall and it really paid off. I really needed this to help get my confidence back up.”
“I really want to do well at this event to start my season off right. It was great to be able to try my new 900 and nail it,” added Bowman, of South Lake Tahoe, Calif. “This takes a bit of early season pressure off and makes me feel good heading into the season. I was working on my amplitude during the summer and early season training sessions and feel like it’s coming together for me. I am looking forward to the Grand Prix and am hoping to continue to get better this season.”
Dorey won the men’s competition even though he popped his shoulder out midway through his second run and didn’t finish it. He said the Olympic qualifying made him ski a little more tentative.
“I usually go for broke every run,” he said. “Sometimes it works but it’s a gamble. I knew I needed a podium for the Olympic qualifying so I was a little more reserved. That helped me focus.”
Riddle was nonetheless pleased with his podium finish.
“This is the most important event for us so far as what the results mean,” said Riddle, the defending world champion. “It’s huge to get a podium (finish) so I’m unbelievably excited. Now I hope to build on it.”
David Wise, of Reno, Nev., scored the top U.S. men’s result in fifth.
Next up for halfpipe athletes is the VISA U.S. Grand Prix and FIS World Cup at Copper Mountain, Colo., Jan. 9-13.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Winter Dew Tour – iON Mountain Championships
Breckenridge, CO – Dec. 14, 2012
Freeski Halfpipe
Women
| Rank | Athlete | Run 1 | Run 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brita Sigourney | 90.25 | 65.75 | 90.25 |
| 2 | Maddie Bowman | 87.25 | 18.00 | 87.25 |
| 3 | Roz Groenewoud | 80.50 | 84.00 | 84.00 |
| 4 | Ayana Onozuka | 76.00 | 78.00 | 78.00 |
| 5 | Anais Caradeux | 71.75 | 74.50 | 74.50 |
| 6 | Keltie Hansen | 62.00 | 14.25 | 62.00 |
Men
| Rank | Athlete | Run 1 | Run 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Dorey | 93.50 | 38.00 | 93.50 |
| 2 | Byron Wells | 90.25 | 33.50 | 90.25 |
| 3 | Mike Riddle | 88.50 | 15.75 | 88.50 |
| 4 | Kevin Rolland | 85.50 | 81.25 | 85.50 |
| 5 | David Wise | 85.00 | 81.25 | 85.00 |
| 6 | Tanner Hall | 81.00 | 83.75 | 83.75 |