On one of the biggest days in competitive snowboarding, Kelly Clark won a record breaking fifth US Open halfpipe title and her first Burton Global Open Series (BGOS) Championship title. Kazuhiro Kokubo won his second consecutive BGOS Championship title.

Thousands of people rolled in to Stratton, Vermont for the 29th annual Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships and the day kicked off with the women’s halfpipe finals. Hometown hero Kelly Clark dominated the competition right out of the gate but all girls threw down impressive tricks. Kelly’s highest scoring run included the only 1080 in the women’s finals while also stomping a huge method followed by a frontside 900 stalefish, a backside 540 melon grab and a frontside 720 stalefish in her other runs. Kelly Clark had one of the best seasons in the history of snowboarding and her win at the US Open made this her eight consecutive victory for the season. Reigning US Open halfpipe champion Kazuhiro Kokubo won his second year in a row by throwing a frontside alley oop nosebone, frontside 900 melon grab, Michaelchuck nose grab, frontside double cork 1080 and a cab 1080 melon grab. Kazu’s third run turned into a victory lap and he rode straight down the middle of the pipe with a huge smile on his face and his arms held high. Later he said that he was praying for Japan during that moment.

The Burton US Open marks the gloomy end of the snowboard season on the East coast and leaves us looking forward to our own USASA National Campionships at Copper Mountain.

Women’s Halfpipe Finals Results:

1. Kelly Clark (USA) BURTON 94.95 $20,000

2. Hannah Teter (USA) BURTON 88.10 $10,000

3. Gretchen Bleiler (USA) K2 86.30 $5,000

Men’s Halfpipe Finals Results:

1. Kazuhiro Kokubo (JPN) BURTON 90.10 $20,000

2. Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI) TSG 88.60 $10,000

3. Kohei Kudo (JPN) OAKLEY 87.90 $5,000

Burton Global Open Series Men’s Final Results:

1. Peetu Piiroinen (FIN) BURTON $50,000 and a MINI Countryman

2. Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI) TSG $30,000

3. Christian Haller (SUI) BURTON $20,000

Burton Global Open Series Women’s Final Results:

1. Kelly Clark (USA) BURTON $50,000 and a MINI Countryman

2. Jamie Anderson (USA) BILLABONG $30,000

3. Kjersti Buaas (NOR) ROXY $20,000

Men’s TTR World Tour Champion:

Peetu Piiroinen (FIN) BURTON $50,000

Women’s TTR World Tour Champion:

Jamie Anderson (USA) BILLABONG $50,000

For more information on the US Open, head to www.opensnowboarding.com