What a time to be in Aspen for Aussies tonight as Scotty James takes the top position in the X Games Snowboard halfpipe.
He has joined the legendary snowboarder Shaun White as the only men to win three straight X-Games halfpipe gold medals, after winning his sixth career X-Games gold medal.
James has nine career medals in the prestigious invitation only event featuring the world’s best halfpipe riders.
In the best of three fun final, James lead from start to finish, with the highest scoring opening round run with a score of 88 points, and then increased his jump package in the second run with a switch-back-1260 on the final hit to boost his score and receive 93 points from the judges.
With no rider able to match James, he was able to complete a “victory lap” in the third and final run celebrating on his way down the Aspen superpipe.
Joining James on the podium were Japanese riders Ruka Hirano in second with a best score of 87, with Kaishu Hirano in third on 86.33 points.
“Thankyou Aspen, absolutely amazing event, it was so great to ride in front of everyone tonight,” said the 29-year-old from Warrandyte in Victoria.
“I am really stoked, and I just feel like a little kid again riding, and that’s showing though which has been really fun, and I am enjoying snowboarding so much.”
“To join that record with Shaun is pretty nice.”
Unfortunately snowboard teen sensation Valentino Gueli who won his first career medal at the X-Games last year, was unable to compete after sustaining an injury in training
