With the sun shining and temperatures climbing into the double digits the halfpipe on Blackcomb took a beating Tuesday, but the conditions didn't hold the skiers back in the slightest. After the semi-finals in the morning 12 men and five women faced off in the second of two events of the World Skiing Invitational, the annual Superpipe competition and athlete-judged SuperHit contest.
Every trick imaginable was on display, but it was Nevada skier David Wise who put together the best inverts, grabs and combinations of the day to get a score of 90.8 from the judges and win the event to claim the $10,000 first prize. This was his first appearance on the WSI podium, but it probably won't be his last.
In second place, winning $5,000 with a score of 88.3 was WSI regular Mike Riddle who hails from Alberta but coaches at Momentum ski camps in Whistler.
In third place was Dan Marion of Maine with an 85.3, followed by Tucker Perkins, Matt Philippi, Joss Christensen, Nathan Wood, Evan Schwartz, Gus Kenworthy, Colin Vaykovich and Sandy Boville. Matt Phillipi won the SuperHit contest.
Dania Assaly won the women's competition with the most style and a top score of 81.0, although Angeli Van Laanen had the biggest airs of the day to finish with 78.5. Megan Gunning was third, Keltie Hansen fourth and Rosalind Groenewoud fifth.
Grenade Games wrap 2009 Festival
While only a few days remain in the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival it's possible that the best is still to come with the exciting conclusion of the five day Grenade Games. The Poker Run and Dual Slalom Moguls contests were on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Superpipe finals are on Friday from noon to 2 p.m., followed by the Mini Ramp Jam and massive game of S.K.A.T.E. in Village Square. Last up is the Grand Finale on Saturday night, with a huge slopestyle course at the base of the mountain. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
