Winter X Games 15: Shaun White and Recapping The Final Day Winners
Was there really any question?
Sure, maybe some of you created a doubt or two after Shaun White failed to qualify in Slopestyle. But Men’s Superpipe is the house that White built.
White threw down the same double McTwist 1260 he did in the Olympics, as well as two double corks and a backside alley oop. He made it all possible with his amped start where he grabbed 19-plus feet of air.
The crazy run earned him a score of 97.33, which tied his own WX record. It’s also White’s fourth Superpipe win in a row.
Scotty Lago was second with a score of 92.00. Most impressive was that he threw down one of his best runs ever with his jaw wired shut.
The injury happened almost three weeks ago while shooting video in the backcountry. Doctors told him that WX was a definite no-no. So much for medical advice.
Louie Vito’s third run score of 87.33 was good enough for bronze.
New Secret Tricks for Snowmobile Final
Coming into WX 15, Daniel Bodin had zero wins. Now, he has two gold medals.
Bodin pulled off the first double grab ever in SNB competition to surprise and wow the judges. He scored a 96.00.
For the first time ever, the WX organizers allowed the competitors to keep their tricks a secret, adding to the drama of the event.
Caleb Moore was the fan favourite pulling off a barrel roll and no-hands landing. The insane trick scored a 90.33, good enough for silver.
Heath Frisby nabbed the bronze with a full-extension Superman.
All-Rookie Podium in Mono Skier X
Josh Dueck was super excited after taking gold Sunday afternoon.
He led wire-to-wire in the final of Mono Skier X. Dodging a rough start that saw Scotty Meyer crash right out of the gate. Once clear, Dueck skied cleanly through the finish line.
The 30-year-old Canadian also won a silver medal at last year’s Paralympic Winter Games.
Brandan Adam crashed late, but managed to slide across the finish in second. Sean Rose was third.
“Seb Toots” Stamps His Mark
Sebastien Toutant came into the Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final owning the highest score ever. He eclipsed Shaun White, who owns the next seven highest, with a score of 97 in the elimination round.
He threw down in his first run scoring a 93.00 and impressing the judges with his fluid tricking and subtlety. The score held up giving Toutant his first gold medal.
He tweeted, “My first gold medal at @XGames ! best day of my life!”
Toutant’s best friend and training partner, 17-year-old Mark McMorris made it one-two for rookies and Canadians on the podium. His third run score of 90.00 earned him a silver medal.
Tyler Flanagan got bronze.
Hibbert Dominates For Five-Peat
Tucker Hibbert cemented his place as the greatest athlete in WX SnoCross.
He led every lap of the race. It looked as if Russ Martin was going to take the initial lead but he was black-flagged for jumping the gun and was force to drop back. It was all Hibbert from there.
He crossed the finish line with nobody in his rear view to take his fifth consecutive gold medal. It ties him with Nate Holland with the most medals in a row for a single sport.
Martin overcame his penalty start to nab a silver medal. An impressive repeat of his 2010 WX performance.
Robbie Malinoski made a nice lap 10 overtake to hold on for bronze.
Serwa Crashes To Gold
Kelsey Serwa has a busted lip, a bloody nose and a gold medal.
The final of the Women’s Skier X was hard fought and included a come-from-behind win by Serwa, who was sitting third halfway down the course.
She pushed hard for the victory and ultimately crashed hard on the final jump and slid across the finish line. With blood streaming down her face, the 21-year-old definitely earned her first gold medal.
The proud Canadian waved the Maple Leaf in celebration. She posted on her Facebook, “Walked away today with X-Games Gold, a bruised tail bone, sprained thumb, pulled forearm, fat lip and a scraped up nose. Thanks everyone for watching. It was as bad as it looked but I haven't regretted one minute of it!!!!”
Four-time champ Ophelie David won the silver medal, and Swiss Olympian Fanny Smith grabbed bronze.
Tight Finish in Skier X
John Teller made a timely move to overtake defending Men’s Skier X champ Chris Del Bosco.
The two soared from the last jump with Teller just ahead. When they landed Teller’s lead held and he won the gold by less than a ski length.
Teller continued the streak of denying repeats in Skier X, which still hasn’t happened in Winter X Games history.
While still being one of the toughest WX competitions, the race was missing top athletes from Switzerland and Austria. The International Ski Federation foolishly scheduled a World Cup race this past weekend. Perhaps showing some disdain for WX which obviously deserves more respect.
Del Bosco raced tough but settled for silver. Casey Puckett was the bronze medal winner.
Rukajarvi Surprises For Gold
Enni Rukajarvi was throwing a rather pedestrian run or so it seemed.
She finished with a fantastic, hard-fought 720 with a touch grab to impress the judges. They awarded her with a score of 92.66.
The 20-year-old Finn earned her first WX gold and first medal ever.
Briton Jenny Jones was the defending champ and went for a 900 in her final pass in attempt to grab gold. She couldn’t pull it off but her first run score of 89.33 was good enough for silver.
America’s Jamie Anderson first run 86.00 was strong and solid, giving her a bronze medal.