Press release:
Vail, CO (March 7, 2014) — Snowy weather couldn’t stop Mark McMorris (CAN) and Jamie Anderson (USA) from winning slopestyle titles today at the 32nd annual Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships presented by MINI at Vail Mountain. McMorris and Anderson each took home with $45,000 each and the honor of the 2014 US Open title.
Under cloudy skies and with light snowfall, 2014 Olympic gold medalist, Jamie Anderson, won the US Open slopestyle title back from Spencer O’Brien (CAN), stealing the show on her second run complete with a gap to boardslide, 50-50 to frontside boardslide, 50-50 to backside 180 tailtap out in the rail section, and a Cab 720 nose grab, switch backside 540 indy, and a frontside 720 mute grab on the jumps, scoring an 87.55. 2013 US Open slopestyle champion, Spencer O’Brien, took second place honors, and 2014 Burton European Open winner, Isabel Derungs (SUI), came in third.
“I love this event,” said Anderson. “I love that Burton has created a stage for us to really show what snowboarders are capable of. To have it open to all riders to get involved in is definitely huge and something that I wish more events incorporated. I love the Rockies and Vail, and being here supporting the Open is so fun.”
This was Anderson’s fourth US Open slopestyle title, the most in female history. Anderson’s win today also made her the 2014 World Snowboard Tour Slopestyle Champion, her third total. Anderson beat out Silje Norendal (NOR), who had been leading most of the season. With Norendal not making finals here in Vail, Anderson had yet another chance to defend her title. She effortlessly proved why she is the best overall slopestyle rider in the world.
After the ladies, 10 men took to the Snow Park Technologies’ built course for the three-run format, with McMorris pulling out the stops and landing on top once again. Coming into the finals in ninth position, McMorris solidified his second consecutive US Open title, with a run that included a switch boardslide to frontside boardslide, 50-50 to backflip out, frontside boardslide 450 out on the top rail section, Cab 1260 mute grab, frontside double cork 1080 mute grab, backside triple cork 1440 mute grab on the jumps, scoring an 87.50.
“To end my season at an event by snowboarders for snowboarders with back-to-back wins is really cool,” said McMorris. “There’s no bobsled team or figure skating team at the Open – it’s just a bunch of snowboarders who all share the same love for riding. And it’s really cool for me to end my season at such a legendary event.”
2014 Olympic silver medalist Stale Sandbech (NOR) came in right behind McMorris with an 87.20, and Maxence Parrot (CAN) finished third with an 84.30. Today, Sandbech also became the 2014 World Snowboard Tour Slopestyle Champion with his second place US Open finish.
Additionally, for the second time in the award’s three-year history, LAAX beat out Vail to win this year’s MINI Feature Award. Designed by the LAAX park crew, the Burton European Open slopestyle upper rail section offered the most creative features for competitors, including various lines so that riders could choose to hit different features each run.
And the action doesn’t stop at the Open, so if you’re in Vail, check out the free concert at the Solaris Stage in the Vail Village with Big Gigantic starting at 6:45pm MST. And tomorrow, don’t miss the final day of the legendary Burton US Open with halfpipe finals beginning at 11:30am MST, and live coverage on FOX Sports 2 and Burton.com/USO. For additional airings, run replays, full webcasts, broadcast schedules and more, head to www.Burton.com/USO. Also check your local listings to watch the US Open Lifestyle show, and Men’s and Women’s Slopestyle and Halfpipe highlight shows on FOX Sports 2. Follow all Burton US Open happenings at facebook.com/burtonsnowboards, @burtonsnowboard on Twitter and Instagram, and the hashtag #BurtonUSOpen.
Women’s Slopestyle Finals Results:
1. Jamie Anderson (USA), BILLABONG, 87.55
2. Spencer O’Brien (CAN), NIKE, 80.00
3. Isabel Derungs (SUI), RIDE, 71.90
4. Miyabi Onitsuka (JPN), BURTON, 43.20
5. Ty Walker (USA), RED BULL, 33.95
6. Cheryl Maas (NED), VOLCOM, 30.50
Men’s Slopesyle Finals Results:
1. Mark McMorris (CAN), BURTON, 87.50
2. Stale Sandbech (NOR), OAKLEY, 87.20
3. Maxence Parrot (CAN), ONEILL, 84.30
4. Sebastien Toutant (CAN), ONEILL, 83.35
5. Roope Tonteri (FIN), BURTON, 81.70
6. Darcy Sharpe (CAN), MONSTER ENERGY, 78.05
7. Tyler Nicholson (CAN), LIB TECH, 72.60
8. Emil Ulsletten (NOR), NITRO, 60.95
9. Brandon Davis (USA), NEFF, 38.55
10. Kyle Mack (USA), BURTON, DNS
A big thanks to the following partners for their support of the 32nd annual Burton US Open: MINI, Vail Mountain, Mountain Dew®, Town of Vail, Garmin, Nokia, Paul Mitchell, 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation, G-SHOCK, Pacifico, Bear Naked® granola, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Shiseido, Clif Bar & Company, CHILL, anon, Analog and the World Snowboard Tour.
About the Burton US Open
The world’s best snowboarders will come together in Vail, Colorado from March 3rd–8th to partake in the longest running, premier snowboarding event, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships presented by MINI. By day, experience world-class halfpipe and slopestyle competition, then at night keep the momentum high with FREE concerts, events and activities for all-ages. A big thanks to the following partners for their support of the 32nd edition of the Burton US Open: MINI, Vail Mountain, Mountain Dew®, Town of Vail, Garmin, Nokia, Paul Mitchell, 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation, G-SHOCK, Pacifico, Bear Naked® granola, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Shiseido, Clif Bar & Company, CHILL, anon, Analog and the World Snowboard Tour.
About MINI
MINI is involved in action sports around the world through cooperation and sponsoring activities. As a partner of trend-conscious sports, MINI supports young and creative sports people and, in so doing, promotes the development of their sport. MINI has been the official presenting partner for the Burton Global Event Series since 2011.
About Vail Mountain
Coveted as one of the largest ski resorts in the world with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain, seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, and the most groomed terrain on the planet, Vail has been an extraordinary winter vacation destination for passionate skiers and snowboarders for more than 50 years. It is home to world-class athletes during the U.S. Ski Team early-season training sessions in Golden Peak, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships and the future 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year, friends and families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is exceptional, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to events, activities and festivals, shops and spas, abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations. Coupled with the vision inherent in the spirit of Vail’s founders, and a modern day commitment to excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations, Vail is a mountain resort like nothing on earth. www.vail.com.
