Davis and Clark Soar in the Grand Prix
Dec 19 2006 / Breckenridge, COThe Snowboard Event Season Kicks off in Breckenridge
The snowboard industry embarked on Breckenridge, CO this weekend for the first major halfpipe competition of the year on US soil -- the first stop on the 06/07 Grand Prix tour. The halfpipe action wrapped up Saturday afternoon with Danny Davis and Kelly Clark crowned as champions.
In qualifiers, Clark dominated the women’s field, and even after finals, had only spent a matter of minutes anywhere but in the first place slot. Elena Hight had qualified in third, but after her second run in finals, including a frontside 900 and back to back 720s, Hight bumped Clark down to second. It was short lived though, since two riders later, Clark dropped in, went a solid four feet higher than any of the other women with her first hit and maintained that amplitude through out several technical spins to retake first and go home with a cool $14,000.
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After Friday’s men’s qualifiers, the battle was definitely set between the rookies and the veterans. Old favorite Tommy Czeschin had qualified in first, while young gun Mason Aguirre followed closely in second. Throughout the rest top ten was a mix of the generations -- Scotty Lago (new), Steve Fisher (old), Danny Davis (new), to name a few. Of course there are riders in the middle who would probably get offended if I called them young or old, such as Brad Martin, Crispin Lipscomb and Giacomo Kratter.
But in the finals, it was all about the younger generation. A few of them had trouble putting it together, like Scotty Lago, who fell twice on his frontside 1080, but for the ones who were on it, the results we spectacular, Danny Davis in particular. As it turned out, he had the competition in the bag with his first run, but he threw the biggest 1080 of the day, first hit on his second run. Due to his qualifying placement (8th) he had to sit back and watch the top guys go, hoping his score would hold. If anyone was to dethrone him, he would be Mason Aguirre, but on his second run, Aguirre landed low on his first 1080 and could only throw a 720 where he usually throws a second 10. Tommy Czechin still had the chance, and he threw down a solid run, but without a 1080, it was only good enough for third, allowing Davis to walk away with $14,000 for himself.
The event was an exciting indication for the season to come. With the newcomers charging as hard as they were (even without having to try and beat Shaun White), the competition should be fierce all season.
“What’s good about this contest is you can see where everyone’s level is and it also gives us a chance to ride and get our tricks back since most of us haven’t ridden pipe in awhile,” Aguirre said. “This is just a good way to start off the season.”
--Brooke Geery
