In Stoneham, Quebec, Canada, the leader of the ladies Halfpipe World Cup ranking who earned 46.6 points edged off her team mates Zhifeng Sun (42.7) and Xu Chen (40.5) to the second and third rank respectively. On the men's side, Janne Korpi who scored 45.7 points relegated Canada's Jeff Batchelor (44.3) to the runner-up spot. Antti Autti (FIN, 41.8) finished third.

Janne Korpi (FIN), photo credit O'Neill

But in order to take home his career's third Halfpipe World Cup win, Korpi was forced to prove his nerves of steel. Batchelor who had bailed in his first run raised the bar in the second one by throwing in some massive tricks. Starting with a huge "backside air", the 21-years-old went on with a "frontside 540", "backside 900", "frontside 900" and a "backside 1080" to finish things off - a performance which catapulted the Oakville resident straight on the hot seat of the leading athlete.

But Canada's young talent had to wait for some more riders to come- a fact which was a pain in the neck for Batchelor: "I had to wait the whole time in the finish area. I crossed my fingers hoping for the best but Janne had a real good run so there is nothing to complain about. I'm stoked with my podium and that I finally secured my Olympic spot."

Korpi has the right answer

Korpi, who was the last rider being able to edge off Batchelor from the top podium spot countered the trick series of his Canadian contender which was characterised by a massive air time by nailing a "stalefish" to "backside 540 mute", "back-to-back 1080's" and a final "frontside 900". A tough call while facing tough cold temperatures (-20°) which made it hard for everyone to ride. „I had problems with the speed. Due to the cold my board got slow. But I went all or nothing, threw in my best and finally it paid off" Korpi said after his winning run.

Halfpipe podium men, photo credit O'Neill

A win which might be even sweeter as his season's first podium finish could be equivalent to the new World Cup leader's personal spot in the Finnish team representing his home country at the up-coming Olympics. "I think I'm in so I'm very happy right now."

Podium sweep for China's ladies

On the ladies' side, it was once again Xuetong Cai who surprised everyone after she had finished in Saas-Fee as runner-up in her second ever World Cup contest. The 17-years-old who sat in third after the first run impressed the five judges with her amplitude while stomping a "backside air" to "back-to-back 540's" and "back-to-back 720's". A run which brought Cai her first ever World Cup win - right at her fourth ever World Cup appearance: "I got along with the pipe very good. So, I'm super happy."

The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup continues with a big air contest in Quebec City tomorrow bringing the second World Cup title decision between Stefan Gimpl (AUT, 3,800 points) and Gian-Luca Cavigelli (SUI, 3,100).The first Crystal Globe was already taken by Pierre Vaultier yesterday, who gained an uncatchable lead in the Snowboard Cross World Cup ranking by winning the fourth out of five races so far.

FISsnowboard.com
Saturday 23 January 2010

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