Burton European Open presented by MINI

World’s Biggest Halfpipe Hosts Fierce Snowboard Battle

On the last day of the Burton European Open presented by MINI, the world’s best snowboarders rode their hearts out in the biggest halfpipe in world, for their shot at the BEO title.

LAAX, (Switzerland) — The top 10 men and six women put down their best of three runs this Sunday in Laax. The 22-foot halfpipe, measuring 200 meters (60 meters longer than before), gave riders six to seven solid hits, but the stormy conditions made it challenging to get consistent speed.

The winningest halfpipe snowboarder ever, Kelly Clark (USA), took first place honors and a record sixth BEO win, after holding onto her first run score of an 85.24. Clark’s run included a frontside air, backside 540 mute, frontside 720 indy, Cab 720 indy, crippler stalefish and a method air. She did attempt the 1080 on her second and third runs, but just couldn’t ride out of it. “It was really challenging for all of us women” said Clark. “It was a little slow in there, but I was happy to put a run down and happy with my results.”

Right on her heels was 14-year-old up and comer, Chloe Kim (USA), who rode strong landing a sick first run scoring an 84.62. 25-year-old, Nadja Purtschert (SUI), went away stoked with third and her first BEO podium, scoring a 62.75.

It was anyone’s game as the men managed through intermittent snow showers, although it was nothing short of a heated battle. While Arthur Longo (FRA), Christian Haller (SUI), Tim-Kevin Ravnjak (SLO) and the rest of the boys all gave him a run for his money, no one could beat Switzerland’s own Iouri (iPod) Podladtchikov who held his first run throughout the final, with the score of a 90.25. Complete with a method air, frontside 900 tail grab, backside 900 mute, frontside 1080 tail grab, Cab double cork 1080 indy and a frontside double cork 1080 truckdriver, iPod went massive and went away with his third BEO title. “It is so amazing to win here because it is the place where I started to ride the halfpipe,” said Podladtchikov. “The level of riding was great and the pipe is getting better and better every year. The BEO is always such a great event.”

16-year-old, Ayumu Hirano (JPN), pulled in behind iPod, with a run scoring an 88.75. 18-year-old, David Habluetzel (SUI) was another hometown favorite, taking home third and his first BEO podium.

Replays and a highlight video of the event will be available at www.burton.com/BEO.

BEO 2015 Women’s Halfpipe Finals

1. Kelly Clark, USA, BURTON, 85.24, 2. Chloe Kim, USA, BURTON, 84.62, 3. Nadja Purtschert, SUI, NITRO, 62.75, 4. Holly Crawford, AUS, 60.87, 5. Mirabelle Thovex, FRA, PROTEST, 55.37, 6. Queralt Castellet, ESP, YONEX, 23.37

BEO 2015 Men’s Halfpipe Finals

1. Iouri Podladtchikov, SUI, MONSTER, 90.25, 2. Ayumu Hirano, JPN, NIKE, 88.75, 3. David Habluetzel, SUI, BURTON, 84.99, 4. Arthur Longo, FRA, VOLCOM, 84.63, 5. Christian Haller, SUI, BURTON, 74.37, 6. Jan Scherrer, SUI, NIKE, 74.24, 7. Seamus O’Connor, IRL, RIDE, 72.12, 8. Taylor Gold, USA, MONSTER, 22.50, 9. Tim-Kevin Ravnjak, SLO, OAKLEY, 22.25, 10. Jake Pates, USA, ROCKSTAR, 15.74

The Burton European Open kicked off the new World Snowboard Tour Pro Series. The final results determine the current WST Pro Series ranking, which only includes results from the WST Elite Level events and will designate the Pro Series Champions of this season.