Vito, Hight Win Halfpipe Comp at 48Straight

Feb 12 2008 / Squaw Valley, CA

Earning two wins over the course of a career is enough to satisfy most athletes, but for snowboard halfpipe rider Louie Vito, capturing two titles in the span of three days seemed all the more efficient. The young standout, on the heels of a win in Tamarack, Idaho, over the weekend, join local favorite Elena Hight of South Lake Tahoe on the winner's podium today at the John Paul Mitchell Systems halfpipe competition at 48Straight in Squaw Valley, Calif.

Though only 19 years of age, the well-proven Vito has earned a name for himself as one of the sport's best technical riders, with a flair for big rotations. Having captured wins at the USASA National Championships and the Australian Open over the past few years, the Sandy, Utah, resident's impressive victory last Saturday at the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix and a follow-up appearance at 48Straight offered him a chance to make a resounding statement to the sport's top competitors.


At Squaw Valley, Vito maintained his torrid pace by qualifying second only to Mammoth Lakes, Calif.'s, Luke Mitrani. In the first run of the finals, he nailed back-to-back 1080's, followed by a 900 and closing front side 720 to earn a score of 95. That was enough to put him in first place heading into the final run, while putting pressure on the other riders trying to unseat him. On his second run, Vito pushed the envelop even further with a dazzling series that included consecutive 1080's followed by consecutive 900's and a closing 720. That effort earned him the overall highest score of the day, a 96, and secured his second straight win.

"It feels great to get the win here in Squaw, and everything really seems to be clicking for me right now," said Vito. "There was a lot of pressure from the other great riders today, and I knew that I had to go big if I wanted to bring it home in the end."

One of the day's most impressive performances came from Truckee, Calif.'s, Andy Finch. After qualifying in the middle of the pack, the veteran with numerous titles under his belt used a flawless first run of the finals to sneak into third place. In the final run, his two 1080's and 720 were dynamic, but not enough to overcome Vito. He ended up second, with Mitrani securing third after nailing a stunning switch backside 900 on the first hit of his final run.

"This was the most fun I've had in a contest this year," said Finch. "In my home town, with the warm air, soft pipe and a great group of riders, it felt great to come out and make it happen."

In the women's halfpipe competition, 2007 X Games bronze medalist Hight quickly earned home field advantage among the fans by finishing second in the qualifier. From there, she only grew hotter by landing the only front side 900 of the day in the finals, which was good enough to push her into first place. On Hight's heels were two riders who had just finished second and third, respectively, at the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix, Clair Bidez of Minturn, Colo., and Ellery Hollingsworth of Darien, Ct. Despite crashing in her final run, no one could top Hight's score of 90, thus securing her title in front of the partisan audience. Bidez finished in second, with Hollingsworth rounding out the top three.

"I felt really good out there, and there is nothing that compares to competing at home in front of the local fans," said Hight. "Everyone has been riding really well lately, and I'm just stoked with how it turned out."

Judges for the snowboard cross halfpipe competition included snowboarding legend Jeff Brushie, joined by George Oakley, Evan Raps, Bryce Maxwell and Sean Carney.

Billed as the "Loudest Show on Snow," 48STRAIGHT is a jam-packed weekend of on-snow and off-snow activities designed to celebrate the mountain culture. In addition to the Jeep King of the Mountain races, the event will include a ski and snowboard halfpipe competition, a dozen live concerts, street parties, fashion shows and environmental expos.

Coverage of the action from Squaw Valley will be televised to a national broadcast audience on February 23 and 24 on CBS Sports and on nationally syndicated television beginning February 23. Videos from today's races may be found at www.jeepskiing.com/jsmedia_videos.aspx.

The Jeep King of the Mountain and 48Straight winter season will conclude on March 14-16 at Sun Valley, Idaho.

The Jeep® King of the Mountain was established in 1993, and Jeep serves as the event's title sponsor. The winter series, now in its 15th season, is the sister event to the Mountain Biking World Professional Championships. Other marketing partners for the Jeep King of the Mountain Series include Crocs, Firm Green, Infinity, John Paul Mitchell Systems, Monster, Scott USA, Sprint, Spyder, Squaw Valley USA and Village at Squaw Valley USA.

FINAL RESULTS – MEN'S & WOMEN'S SNOWBOARD HALFPIPE
Squaw Valley USA, Calif. – February 11, 2008

MEN'S RESULTS – SUPER FINAL

1. Louie Vito – Sandy, Utah
2. Andy Finch – Truckee, Calif.
3. Luke Mitrani – Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
4. Elijah Teter – South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
5. Tommy Czeschin – Crowley Lake, Calif.
6. Matt Ladley – Steamboat Springs, Colo.

WOMEN'S RESULTS – SUPER FINAL

1. Elena Hight – South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
2. Clair Bidez – Minturn, Colo.
3. Ellery Hollingsworth – Darien, Ct.
4. Molly Aguirre – Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
5. Kelly Marren – Hillsborough, Calif.
6. Meg Pugh – Tahoe City, Calif.