This season, when the season started with 12nd place on the HP of the World Cup held at Copper Mountain in December, China, Switzerland, and X-GAMES continued to stand on the podium with 2nd place, showing good performance. Yuto Totsuka.However, Scotty James was always on top of Totsuka's results.In fact, it was difficult to win against Scotty, who always scored better points than Totsuka.At the world's oldest snowboard competition "THE 2 BURTON US OPEN SNOWBOARD-ING CHAMPIONSHIPS", which has been traditionally continued since 1982 to explode frustration, Totsuka is convinced while strong players such as Scotty James gather. He showed a slip and reached the peak of his long-cherished desire.
Yuto Totsuka has steadily evolved since he recovered from the injury caused by a landing mistake after releasing the oversized FS Double Cork 2 in the first hit, the second run that went on the offensive in the final of the Pyeongchang Olympics HP.The evolution is clearly felt not only in snowboarding techniques, but also in style and spirituality.
Under such circumstances, a modified half pipe was adopted at this year's US OPEN, and in the first half modified section, there was a demand for performance that emphasizes style, and Totsuka himself won the World Cup to win this victory. It seems that he is feeling another joy that is different from that.
I asked Totsuka right after he attended the press conference to report the victory, surrounded by many TV stations and media.
Q
Congratulations on winning the US OPEN.I think there are a lot of rivals, but I wonder if Scotty James has been able to win the championship in front of me all this season and I feel his strength.
A
Well, Scotty is strong now.I couldn't win easily.I'm doing something that no one is doing, such as Switch Backside Double Cork 1260, and it's being highly evaluated.Moreover, he looks very dynamic with the feeling of flying around.
Q
How did you feel about it?
A
I have a lot of things I want to do.However, I haven't been able to put it out in the actual battle.For example, I'm worried that if I do that, I won't get points.For me, I want to stick to creating more styles, but I don't think that style will be enough to polish, so even if I put it out halfway, I don't think there will be good results.
Q
However, Totsuka-kun's style has evolved a lot these days.Even if you look at one grab style, it's different from before.
A
I've been practicing there with a lot of effort myself.I think Raibu Katayama's style is cool and I refer to it quite a bit.The huge method of last year's US Open was also cool.I really like being able to put out a style like that.
Q
However, Totsuka-kun's first FS Double Cork 1440 is no longer a sharp deciding technique like the treasure sword of the world.
A
The FS Double Cork 1440 has been hit as a matter of course these days, so I don't feel like it's moss anymore.I can hit with confidence and stability.
Q
Is this FS Double Cork 1440 ~ Cab Double Cork 1260 ~ Switch BS Double Cork 1080 connected for the first time?
A
I agree. At the time of X-GAME, connect with cab double cork 1260 ~ switch BS double cork 1080, at the time of Copper Mountain World Cup, connect with FS double cork 1440 ~ cab double cork 1260, it feels like connecting three for the first time at this US open is.Because it was modified, there was a match between the three shots in the second half, so I attacked.
Q
Is it really difficult to connect the cab double cork 1260 ~ switch BS double cork 1080?
A
Yes, it's very difficult.I haven't hit that much yet, and the degree of perfection is not so high.That's why I was really worried at the final.The landing was just barely possible.At that time, the wall of the pipe was also softened by the sun.I'm not used to it yet, so I couldn't kick much when I got out, and I was worried that I might jump out, so I was scared and I felt like I managed to come back.That's the spirit (laughs)
Q
The modified half-pipe was adopted this time, but what about Totsuka-kun about the fact that the half-pipe is being evaluated in the form of incorporating a section that can bring out more style like returning to the origin?
A
No, it's insanely fun.You can also see various styles of other players.I want to try various things myself, and I think it's the most fun to think about what to do there.It's exciting to talk with Kurume-kun and "Isn't it possible?"
Q
Did you decide to do the Mac twist in this modified for a long time?
A
It's time for public practice before the performance.I was wondering what to do.At the time of qualifying, the coach pointed out that the score did not increase and the spins were in the same direction of rotation, so I decided on the routine.However, after that, the backside early 540 jumped too much due to a miscalculation, and I was impatient (laughs).
During the press conference and in the interview, Yuto Totsuka expressed his desire to be recognized as a cool rider as a snowboarder while aiming to win the tournament.I have a technique I want to do, but I can't put it out because it's not a style until it's evaluated.He wants to hone himself so that he can put it out on the front stage. There is no doubt that the victory won in the US OPEN historic tournament and the modified halfpipe is a huge achievement for Totsuka.
Although it is still in the process of evolving greatly, I felt that the style would be further refined as a snowboarder representing Japan while receiving good stimulation from the surroundings.I would like to expect Yuto Totsuka to grow for the first time in the future.
Yuto Totsuka YUTO TOTSUKA
Born October 2001, 9, from Kanagawa prefecture
<2019-2020 season RESULTS>
2019 FIS World Cup Mammoth Mountain HP Winner
2019 FIS World Cup Copper Mountain HP 2nd place
2019 FIS World Cup Secret Garden HP 2nd place
2020 FIS World Cup Laax HP 2nd place
2020 X Games Aspen HP 2nd place
2020 FIS World Cup Mammoth Mountain HP Winner
2020 Dew Tour HP 2nd place
2020 US Open HP Winner
2019/2020 Season World Cup ︎ 2nd overall by event
