The 34th annual US Open Snowboarding Championships announce a stellar field of riders slated to compete in the longest-running snowboard competition in the world from February 29th – March 5th at Vail Mountain Resort. Confirmed top riders include two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White (USA) competing in both halfpipe and slopestyle, 2016 X Games gold medalists Chloe Kim (USA), Spencer O’Brien (CAN) and Matt Ladley (USA). Eight-time US Open winner Kelly Clark (USA) and Taku Hiraoka (JPN) will be returning to defend their 2015 US Open halfpipe titles, along with Jamie Anderson (USA) and Yuki Kadono (JPN), both defending their 2015 Burton US Open slopestyle titles.
Shaun White says, “I’m excited to be competing – the Open has always been one of my favorite events since I was a kid.”
Now in its 34th year, the legendary Burton US Open is the original competitive snowboard event featuring the most progressive riding of the season. As always spectators are invited to come watch all the exciting competitions for FREE.
“The US Open has always been the event I look forward to in the season,” says longtime US Open halfpipe competitor and two-time X Games gold medalist Danny Davis. “It’s a special one to me, it was the first professional contest I ever did as a kid, and in many ways helped launch my career. I’m always excited to go.” He adds, “It’s the season ender and a really fun one for music and seeing all of our friends. I would love to take home a US Open title!”
The pro competition kicks off on Wednesday, March 2nd with men’s and women’s slopestyle semi-finals at Vail Mountain’s Golden Peak. Defending champion Yuki Kadono (JPN) returns following his history-making US Open run landing a first-ever combo of back-to-back 1620s in competition, as well as a huge win at the 2016 Air + Style Los Angeles. He’ll be competing against 2016 X Games big air gold medalist Maxence Parrot (CAN), 2016 Air + Style Innsbruck winner Sebastien Toutant (CAN) and overall tour winner Sven Thorgren (SWE), as well as Shaun White (USA) who will all be gunning for the podium. The women’s field is stacked with defending champion Jamie Anderson (USA) coming off a big win at the 2016 Laax Open, 2016 X Games gold medalist Spencer O’Brien (CAN), along with strong podium contenders Cheryl Maas (NED) and 15-year-old TransWorld Snowboarding Rookie Of The Year Hailey Langland (USA).
The highly-anticipated halfpipe semi-finals follow on Thursday, March 3rd in Vail’s 22-foot superpipe with one of the most exciting lineups in this event’s rich history, including defending champion Kelly Clark (USA) going for her record ninth US Open title and continuing the battle of 1080s with Chloe Kim (USA), who recently made history landing back-to-back 1080s in competition.
“I’ve been attending the Open since I was a kid,” says Kelly Clark, “It holds a lot of memories and I love getting to compete. The Open stands out to me as the event I want to do well at. I like it because it’s late in the season so you get a high level of competition, and you see some of the best snowboarding of the season.”
In the men’s halfpipe competition, defending champion Taku Hiraoka (JPN) will have to bring his A-game with Shaun White (USA) returning and going for his sixth US Open title including halfpipe wins at his most recent US Open appearances in 2013 and 2012. Shaun most recently clinched a halfpipe win at this season’s 2015 Dew Tour. Other riders to watch include previous podium winners Danny Davis (USA), Ayumu Hirano (JPN), and Yiwei Zhang (CHN).
It all comes down to the finals, when 10 men and 6 women compete for equal share of the overall $343,000 prize purse, with slopestyle finals on March 4th followed by halfpipe finals on March 5th.
In addition to world-class pro competition, there’s also plenty of amateur action on Tuesday, March 1st with the return of the Junior Jam featuring the next generation of riders ages 14 and under competing in the 22-foot superpipe. This is the breeding ground where pros including Shaun White (USA), Ayumu Hirano (JPN) and Chloe Kim (USA) first made a name for themselves.
There’s plenty of action off hill as well with four nights of live music on the Solaris Concert Stage and the US Open closing party at Dobson Ice Arena. The lineup is set with The Sheepdogs, The Bright Light Social Hour, Big Grams, GRiZ, DJ Numark, and DJ Craze all performing live in Vail.
If you can’t make it to Vail in person, follow #BurtonUSOpen and catch all the action online via the live webcasts at BurtonUSOpen.com, Friday and Saturday finals will be broadcast live on Red Bull TV and locally in the Front Range on TV8, with additional TV broadcasts airing nationally on FS2. Check out the complete broadcast schedule online.
And be sure to check out and share the teaser of the 2016 US Open featured riders here: https://youtu.be/oAI5LQePq_Y
For additional details on all things Burton US Open, including a full list of invited riders, concerts, product demos, Burton Girls happenings, kids Learn To Ride opportunities, and the history of the longest-running snowboard event in the world, head to BurtonUSOpen.com. You’ll also find highlights of winning runs, full webcast replays, contest recaps and more.
About the Burton US Open
The world’s best snowboarders will come together in Vail, Colorado from February 29th – March 5th to partake in the longest running, premier snowboarding event, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships. 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 34th edition of the Burton US Open: Vail Mountain, Paul Mitchell, Town of Vail, G-Shock, Pacifico, Shiseido, Red Bull, Red Bull TV, Clif Bar & Company, G-FORM, Boa Technology, anon., and Burton Girls.
About Vail Mountain and the Town of Vail
Under blue skies more than 300 days each year, Vail is an extraordinary mountain resort destination. The vacation experience is exceptional, from the awe-inspiring terrain and natural beauty of the surrounding Gore and Sawatch Ranges to world-class events, activities and festivals, shops and spas, and the abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations that line the pedestrian-friendly streets of Vail Village and Lionshead. Vail is where outdoor pursuits meet village sophistication. Offering more than 5,200 acres of developed ski and snowboard terrain including seven legendary Back Bowls in winter, and flourishing with new summer activities in preparation for the debut of Epic Discovery in 2016, the options for year-round adventure are endless. 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. For more information, please visit https://www.vail.com.
