NIPPON OPEN 2008 FINAL
The SUPER PIPE final of NIPPON OPEN has always been sunny for the past few years.
What kind of jinx?
It's not as pecan as last year or last year, but the snowstorm the day before was a lie.The condition of the pipe is also good thanks to some clouds.After all, the modeling of this SUPER PIPE is exceptionally beautiful.
Due to the schedule change due to stormy weather, I noticed when I saw the SUPER PIPE semi-final held the day before, but Sean was not there.He seems to have returned to Japan because his knees are not in good condition.If that happens, will the battle for victory seem to be a melee?
In fact, the abilities of Japanese players and overseas players seem to be in competition.I'd like to see a Japanese player in the middle of the podium.
The final with 8 girls and 16 boys started with the annual fireworks.
It is contested at the best point of 3RUN.
First of all, girls.
For Japanese, Soko Yamaoka, the seed, is still a stable routine.The height is high and the connection of techniques is perfect.As expected it is a seed.
Meanwhile, non-seed Keiko Okura showed a sense of height and speed in the semi-final, pushing out the seed player who was familiar and advancing the piece to the final in XNUMXrd place.The audience's expectations also increased because he seemed to be in good shape during the public practice.
However, in the final, there is no sharpness like in the semi-final, probably because of the pressure or the fatigue caused by the continuous battle.Everyone recognizes the high potential, so I'd like to expect it in the future.
Regarding girls, it is said that it will be a match between 1st place Grechen Brayler and 2nd place Torah Bright in this year's WINTER X-GAME.However, Tora advanced to the final in 7th place in the semi-final.What happened to last year's champ? !!
However, once it starts, it still fascinates this person. From the first one, F1 → Mac Twist → To Fakie → CAB540 → F720 → Slash with the backside lip to tighten!I was pretty numb.Good speed, good skill, and the last slash is reminiscent of a surfing backhand slash.
Gretchen at the top of qualifying is F1 from 900st Air!However, the landing was a little disturbed and the speed slowed down.Still, follow Tora by connecting Tweak → Clipler → B540.
Tora failed in the 2nd RUN, but the provisional ranking at the end of the 2nd was 1st Tora and 2nd Gretchen.
In the 3rd RUN, Tora finishes the same routine with a higher degree of perfection, and pulls away the following.Gretchen, aiming for a reversal, changed the routine and delivered a tall clipler on the first shot, and F1 on the third shot from the backside air!However, it was a little disturbed and continued with B3 → F900 to finish.
▲ Left) Gretchen Bleiler (USA), Right) Manuela Laura Pesko (SUI)
As a result, Torah Bright, who showed a sense of stability with a unique routine, won the victory.Gretchan Brayler, who showed his height and stylish tricks, came in second, and Manuela Lula Pesco, who had a solid routine, came in third.
▲ Torah Bright (AUS) ROXY
◆ WOMEN'S SUPER PIPE
1 Torah Bright (AUS) ROXY
2 Gretchen Bleiler (USA) OAKLEY
3 Manuela Laura Pesko (SUI) FTWO
Then boys.
This is hot!From the semi-final point of view, the 16 riders who survived all seem to have a chance.
First of all, Keito Kumasaki of 1st RUN is quite complete with switch entry, CAB1080 to F900 → tweak → F720 → early chuck.This 16 year old is dangerous!Daisuke Murakami's extremely high F1080, F900 with tail grab, and melancholy toe fakie are nose pork and stylish.In addition, there were many notable riders such as Kohei Kudo and Kazuumi Fujita's young generation, who had an impressive height and unique style, although the number of revolutions was not high.However, it was Kia Dillon who was sharp on this day.High upper 900 from the back side! Decide F720 → CAB720 → F900.The landing is almost close to the lip and there is no speed loss.I think I'll get a pretty high score.Kazuhiro Kokubo, who is the focus of attention, loses his balance due to the backside air that follows when he shows the huge B540 from the drop-in.It seemed as if I had given up on the front side air without getting on the speed, but an oversized layback that slides 5m on the back side lip!Can you afford it?Or are you aiming for something?
It proceeded without any disturbance until the 2nd RUN, and the provisional ranking remained 1st Kia and 2nd Kumasaki.
However, each rider sets out on the 3rd RUN.Murakami decided F1080 → Harkan → F900 → B540 and got a guts pose!Is Kia in the provisional 1st place no pressure? Backside Upper 900 → F540 → Upper Deck → F900 → Backside Air → Early 720 and almost lip to lip!Only Kazu and Janne Korpi are left.Kazu, from drop-in B540 → F1080 big! → CAB720 → F720 → Finish with CAB720!Cheers rise from the hall! !!And the last rider is Janne Korpi.From the switch, CAB10 → F1080 → CAB720 → F900 → B540 → Early Rodeo!The height itself is not surprising, but the degree of perfection is high.What it will be?
▲ Left) Janne Korpi (FIN), Right) Daisuke Murakami
The result was Kia Dillon, who was in first place from beginning to end. Second place is Kazuhiro Kokubo who showed a huge performance at the end. Janne Korpi, who had an excellent sense of stability in high-speed spin such as 1 combo, was in 2rd place.Daisuke Murakami, who was excited about the venue, was unfortunately in 3th place with a few points difference.
▲ Keir Dillon (USA)
◆ MEN'S SUPER PIPE
1 Keir Dillon (USA) BURTON
2 Kazuhiro Kokubo (JPN) BURTON
3 Janne Korpi (FIN) KISSMARK
This NIPPON OPEN, especially the SUPER PIPE final, was definitely worth seeing for both men and women.Cold air and warm sunshine, good-shaped pipes, a tightly packed audience, and high-level, high-tech battles in front of you.The venue and the roaring riders also got hot.
I once again thought about the crowded audience after seeing the reaction.Even if you can't tell the trick name or revs, the height, speed, and beautiful style will captivate many.It was a tournament that really made me realize that.
▲ Mysterious Maskman Actually, President of BURTON Hoshizaki
RAIL JAM
Friday, the 5th day of the tournament.
RAIL JAM was held in a special section that appeared in the Alz stadium park.A straight rail was installed at the top of the course, and a launch-type cannon box was installed at the kicker in front of the gallery stand.Because it is close to the gallery, the highlight is the Canon Box.Mutsuo Yamaguchi spins in to spin out.As expected it is a spin master. Park Style 1st place Mickel Van is fascinating!Stretched front flip out from the cannon box!Teddy Ku fashionably tweaks out.Izumi Amaike repeats the switch entry.Takahiro Ishida shows his style that it's not just snowboarding that slides to the lip of the Canon box and flies in reverse. Miyabi Onizuka (2rd grade), who won the kids' tournament (Indy Park Jam) held at the beginning of February, will attack with adults.There is a considerable height from the edge of the cannon box to the landing, but it jumps out with a margin.
There was a session that I never got tired of watching, but suddenly it was a snowstorm that hit me sideways!The venue was waiting because the competition was interrupted due to poor visibility and strong crosswinds.However, recovery was not expected and unfortunately it ended as it was.
It was only about 20 minutes, but it was definitely a dense session.
The winner is Mickel Van for boys and Jamie Anderson for girls.
At the end of the award ceremony, colorful fireworks adorned the sky above the Alz.
▲ RAIL JAM
▲ RAIL JAM
KIDS JAM
After the final of SUPER PIPE, KIDS JAM, the final competition, was held.
Frank impression.Dangerous!I've been watching KIDS JAM for the last few years, but not so many KIDS who make 540 or more by getting through the lip exactly.However, this time, more than 10 people come out of the lipstick, the height is as good as an adult, and the spin is up to 900.Commentator Duman (Junko Asazuma) commented, "I'm glad I wasn't born in this era," but it's definitely not a lip service.
It's not just snowboarding that wins or loses, but behind the scenes of a successful guts pose, some children fail and are seriously disappointed.That's how serious it is.
The results are as follows.
◆ KIDS JAM
1. Taku Hiraoka (JPN) SALOMON
2. Eiju Hirano (JPN) BURTON
3. Ayumu Hirano (JPN) BURTON
It's no wonder their names appear at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Looking up from the SUPER PIPE platform up close, I felt like I could see the future of fighting in the world's big games.
▲ Taku Hiraoka (JPN)
▲ KIDS JAM
Other results
◆ MEN'S PARK STYLE
1 Mikkel Bang (NOR) BURTON
2 Kazuhiro Kokubo (JPN) BURTON
3 Jaakko Ruha (FIN) KISSMARK ◆ WOMEN'S PARK STYLE
1 Jenny Jones (GBR) BILLABONG
2 Jamie Anderson (USA) SALOMON
3 Izumi Amaike (JPN) FLOW
Convention summary
■ Name: NISSAN X-TRAIL Nippon Opne 2008 SNOWBOARDING CHAMPION SHIPS
■ Schedule: February 2008th (Tuesday) -March 2nd (Sunday), 26
■ Place:Alts Bandai (Fukushima)
■ Total prize money: US $ 136,600 (approx. 1,600 million yen)
■ Organized by: Nippon Open Snowboard Championship Executive Committee
■ Special sponsorship: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (X-TRAIL)
■ Sponsor: BURTON, Alts Bandai, Red Bull, MALIBU, Go211.com
■ Support: Fukushima Prefecture, Bandai Town, TV Osaka, J SPORTS
■ Cooperation: Excite
■ OFFICIAL SITE
text: Mr. photo: TY
