|
Administrator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,628
|
Hudak, Wise Take Third HP Titles
PARK CITY, Utah (March 28) - Jennifer Hudak (Park City, UT) took her skiing to the next level Friday to win her third straight U.S. title in women's skier halfpipe during the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships.
David Wise (Caldwell, ID) also had an incredible three-peat performance, winning the men's U.S. title.
Hudak, who won World Cup finals in Italy earlier this month, threw down a run of straight air mute grab, straight air with a critical, mute, alley-oop, seven to take the top podium spot.
"The pipe was really good today. I took a rough spill this morning on one run and it kind of threw me off, but I did what I had to do in finals and it was a good day," Hudak said. "I'm really happy with the final result. My roots are with the USSA and it means a lot to me to win nationals. This is my third year winning the event and I'd like to keep it that way for many years to come"
Originally from Connecticut, Hudak started freestyle skiing at Okemo Mountain in Vermont working with coach Elana Chase. She still works with Chase out of the Aspen Valley Ski Club, but lives in Park City now.
Gina Gmeiner (Steamboat Springs, CO) followed Hudak in second place, and Jessica Cumming (Wilton, CT) was third.
"It's an amazing pipe and a great venue. My run was alright but I have no complaints. It was a good day," Gmeiner said.
Wise won with a run of big flair, alley-oop flat-spin five, back to back nine left nine, right nine, and big seven.
"I am so stoked, I've been having a great week out here and I've just been having great training runs and feeling it," Wise said. "The pipe was perfect and I couldn't have asked for anything better."
Walter Wood (Evergreen, CO) was second in the men's halfpipe and Kyle Smaine was third.
"The pipe was amazing. It's so big. It's probably one of the best pipes I've skied," Wood said about Park City Mountain Resort's superpipe. "I am so excited, this is one of the best results I've had so far this year. It's a big competition and I'm really happy."
Tanner Hall (Salt Lake City), who's been out for most of the season with injuries, made a special appearance at the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships, and even took a couple of runs down the pipe.
"This was sick. I cannot believe the level of competition with these kids up here," Hall said. "Our sport is progressing. Halfpipe skiing is going to be the one to take over and hopefully put it in the Olympics."
Action continues this weekend at Deer Valley Resort with moguls Saturday and dual moguls Sunday, finals for both start at 2:45 p.m. Awards are held nightly through Saturday at the Town Lift Plaza in downtown Park City at 5:30 p.m.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
SPRINT U.S. FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Park City, UT - March 28, 2008
Halfpipe
Men
1. David Wise, Caldwell, ID, 48.4
2. Walter Wood, Evergreen, CO, 45.2
3. Kyle Smaine, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 44.3
4. Miles Honens, Orinda, CA, 42.4
5. Clayton Vila, Block Island, RI, 42.1
Women
1. Jennifer Hudak, Park City, UT, 34.2
2. Gina Gmeiner, Steamboat Springs, CO, 30.3
3. Jessica Cumming, Wilton, CT, 28.6
4. Jillian Kazley, Rochester, NY, 25.3
5. Lizzie Seibert, Edwards, CO, 22.9
|