Stratton Mountain, VT – Vermont’s own Kelly Clark remained unstoppable Saturday, leading a U.S. women’s podium sweep to win her eighth halfpipe snowboarding competition in a row during the Burton U.S. Open in her home state. Japan’s Kazuhiro Kokubo finished first for the men, and Louie Vito, of Sandy, Utah, led for the U.S., finishing just off the podium in fourth.nSaturday’s win marked Clark’s fifth U.S. Open halfpipe title. The two-time Olympic medalist was followed on the podium by U.S. riders Hannah Teter, of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., in second and Aspen, Colo.’s Gretchen Bleiler in third.

“It’s been an incredible season,” Clark said. “Not only am I happy with the level of my riding, I’ve also had more fun than ever, and my results speak for that.”

Clark threw her patented 10 to win the competition, and was the only woman to do so in the finals. She also took the Burton Global Series overall title, and is happy to have made her stamp on U.S. Open history.

“The Open is one of my favorite events, and I feel privileged to have the most halfpipe wins on record,” Clark said. “It’s also huge for me to win the Burton Global Open Series title because it’s the one award that’s been elusive for me. So I’m super happy to walk away with it.”

On the men’s side, Kokubo marked his second straight year of winning at the Open, while Finland’s Peetu Piiroinen finished 14th to earn his second consecutive Burton Global Open Series title. American Jamie Anderson earlier clinched the women’s season long TTR title.

“I’m so stoked and so happy,” said Kokubo “I want to say thanks to my sponsors, family and friends. I hope my win brings a little joy and happiness to Japan.”

Switzerland’s Iouri Podladtchikov took second on Saturday, while Kokubo’s teammate, Kohei Kudo, rounded out the podium in third.

Vito, who just took home the Grand Prix and Dew Tour titles, is looking ahead to European X Games after his fourth-place finish.

“I couldn’t quite land a clean run from beginning to end, but at least I stayed on my feet. France tomorrow…,” Vito said.

The European X Games are scheduled for this week in Tignes, France.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Burton U.S. Open
Stratton Mountain, VT – March 12, 2011
Halfpipe Snowboarding

Men
1. Kazuhiro Kokubo, Japan, 90.10
2. Iouri Podladtchikov, Switzerland, 88.60
3. Kohei Kudo, Japan, 87.90

Women
1. Kelly Clark, W. Dover, VT, 94.95
2. Hannah Teter, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 88.10
3. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO, 86.30