Tuesday, February 13

2001 U.S. Open Halfpipe

Freezeonline.com

Format: Two heats of 15 skiers were selected from the last season of competition, as well as from the Kaluha Half Pipe Jam, held the previous day. Each heat was given 45 minutes to session the pipe and was judged by Mike Douglas, JT Holmes, and Pete Miderhoffer. Two skiers advanced to the finals from each heat, with another four moving on to the last chance qualifier. Two skiers then advanced from the LCQ to a six man final, where each skier was given two runs to prove his manhood.

2001 Men's Halfpipe podium.

Wrap up: Given the historic nature of this event, the first of its kind ever held in North America, every skier in the halfpipe comp was a winner. But most of them didn't go home with any money. Still, special mention must be made of Phil Belanger's massive japan grabs; Mammoth's Willie Schnieder and Sunday River's Rory Will's battle for Boost-o-meter supremacy, and the entire female demo squad for proving that the halfpipe revolution is not male-centric. When the snow had settled, Boyd Easley flared and 540 tail grabbed his way into third. Andrew Woods proved as consistent as the east coast ice he trains on with huge straight grabs and a spins of the 540 and 720 variety. But it was Phil Larose from Quebec whose corked out spins and overall consistency really got the judges hot and bothered, earning him four grand and bragging rights for the next three hours until the big air comp began.

Men's Winner, Phil Larose with his first place trophy.

Halfpipe: $4,000
1st $2000
2nd $1000
3rd $750
4th $250

RESULTS

2001 FREEZE US FREESKIING OPEN VAIL, CO HALF PIPE
NAME BIB # - TOTAL TOTAL BEST

1. Philippe Larose 6- 9.3 9.3 9.3
2. Andrew Woods 15- 8.7 9.2 9.2
3. Boyd Easly 11- 9.0 9 9
4. Tanner Hall 28- 8.97 8.5 8.97
5. Phil Belanger 22- 6.83 8.43 8.43
*. Philou 26- DNF DNS DNS

Philippe Larose 6- 8.8
Tanner Hall 28- 8.7
Mickael Deschenaux 37- 8.03
Evan Raps 19- 7.27
David Chrichton 7- 7.1
Mark Andre Belliveau 35- 4.8
Martin Bussiere 8- 0.4

WOMEN

1. Sarah Burke 13- 1.73 6.57 6.57
2. Jamie Sundberg 30- 5 6.2 6.2
3. Jamie Burge 27- 4.83 5.83 5.83
4. Jamie Meyers 20- 4.57 5.5 5.5
5. Kristi Leskinin 36- 4.37 4.5 4.5