2008 US Open Slopestyle
Photos: Andrew Miller unless noted
Words: Joe Carter
Video: Dark Mangler

Some might say the US Open is like the Super Bowl of snowboarding contests. This is the 26th year this event has been going on. Giving riders that might usually not get the chance to shred with the worlds most elite snowboarders coming in from all over the globe. After going through 100 competitors in the beginning of the week there were 10 riders that made the cut to go for the glory to compete with the 32 riders that came here pre-qualified for Friday’s semi-final slopestyle. Then breaking it down to 16 riders total for the men and 8 women making it into the finals. With the amount of money from sponsors that is thrown out for the top finishers and the caliber of riders that make the journey to Stratton Vermont make this is an event that will not disappoint if you are lucky enough to get to witness it. The weather the whole week had been pretty intense with rain, sleet and wind for the competitors. However Friday Mother Nature decided to mellow it out and with mostly clear skies allowing the riders to chuck carcass on the four pack of jumps making some fierce competition to break into a cash prize purse of over 250,000 dollars. For the women it was Kjersti Buass taking the first place spot walking away with 20,000 dollars after a run with a very stylish frontside 720 mute holding the grab the whole time with good style. Jamie Anderson snatched the second place spot spinning down the jumps with solid 540’s a couple different ways taking home 10,000 bucks. In the third place spot on the podium was Burton Global Open series leader Jenny Jones. Now as for the men some of the highlights was FRENDS crew member Scotty Lago having a sick run with style for days but sketching out a little bit on his last hit with a switch backside 900. Ian Thorley was riding strong all day, look out for this guy in the near future. Chas Guldemond had insane runs with big backside 270 gaps to the down all day on the first kink rail then spinning like a top the rest of the way down. Nate Sheehan put on a good show stomping the shit out of everything and sending it deep on every landing. Peetu Piiroinen took the fifth place spot giving him some more points to possibly win the Burton Global Open Series title. Canada’s Charles Reid killed it all day with stylish and technical runs giving him the third place spot. East Coaster Tim Humphreys snatched the second place spot after landing a solid first run and sticking with that score for the rest of finals. As for first it’s no surprise that it was Shaun White getting the number one spot on the podium with 3 900’s and a frontside 1080 on the last booter.  Make sure you keep checking in because tomorrow everyone will be throwing down in the perfect pipe to make for some exciting shredding and we will see who will be going home with their pockets way more stuffed with a ton of cash.


Riders Included: Shaun White,Tim Humphreys, Charles Reid, Ville Uotila, Peetu Piiroinen, Nate Sheehan, Sami Saarenpaa, Sam Hulbert, Chas Guldemond, Risto Mattila, Ian Thorley, Markku Koski, Scotty Lago,Matts Kulisek, Chris Soerman,Stephan Maurer, Kjersti Oestgaard Buass, Jamie Anderson, Jenny Jones, Sina Candrian, Cheryl Maas, Faye Gulini, Katie Williams and more


2008 US Open Slopestyle Results:

Men
1. Shaun White, USA, 88.33 - $20,000
2. Tim Humphreys, USA, 80.17- $10,000
3. Charles Reid, CAN, 74.67 - $5,000
4. Ville Uotila, FIN, 73.50
5. Peetu Piiroinen, FIN, 71.83

Women
1. Kjersti Oestgaard Buass, NOR, 73.17 - $20,000
2. Jamie Anderson, USA, 67.33 - $10,000
3. Jenny Jones, GBR, 61.83 - $5,000
4. Sina Candrian, SUI, 53.33
5. Cheryl Maas, NED, 53.00

Click below for Slopestyle Video:

- Snow, Sleet, Icy, Rain and yes SUN!  Friday was a completely clear cold, blue bird sky day.




- Lonnie Kauk took some time off from riding and filming some deep powder with Standard to make it out the Open.  This is how you grab your board kids... take note.




- Preston Strout and the Dingo held down the mic with some color full commentary for the slopestyle finals. (John Centi Photo)




- FRENDS Mikkel Bang gab to backlip.  Do you spot the booty?




- I-Pod holding it down during semi-finals.




- Shaun White preparing to drop




- The young and talented Jamie Anderson (Joe Carter Photo)




- Jamie doing her thing.... getting 2nd place for the day.



- Peetu going huge with a ninehundred




- Holy double star burst. (John Centi Photo)




- Big L sendiner deeep!




- Almost every rider was having problems sticking their landings during the third and final run.  Check the ice poking thrown on the landing.



- Peetu Piiroinen




- Charles Reid is a perfect example what the open is all about.  Slaying his way from day one for pre qualifiers to the final round taking 3rd place. Thats four days and four rounds of three runs each throwing down on the course. Hell yea Charles!




- Lonnie Kauk showing his jib skills with a gap 180 to witch 50-50.




- FRENDS Scotty Lago getting ready to drop.




- Shaun White battling on the frozen slopestyle course.




- Marrku Koski




- eeeyyyyea Mason (Joe Carter Photo)




- Mason getting tech on the DFD with a scene straight out of Narnia.




- Jenny Jones was one of a few ladies to step it up and spin off the bigger side of the jumps. It paid off for third place.




- THISISFRENDS.COM  check it now fools! (Joe Carter Photo)




- Nate Sheehan flying backasswards huge off the tops frontside 900.




- Carrot top with the gap




- FRENDS Scotty Lago loves getting wicked high and inverted.




- It was so clear during finals you could almost see the Atlantic ocean..... not really.. maybe New Hampshire though.




- Chas Guldemond trying spin for the win. Mid 1260.




- Hometown Hero FRENDS Mr. Kevin Pearce (Joe Carter Photo)




 - KP grabbing some tail on the second booter of the slopestyle obstacle course.




- Charles Reid killed it. No better way to explain it... Check the video to see for yourself.




- Tim Humphreys




- Shaun has this winning deal down to a science.... or maybe he bribes the judges with Target gift cards and pallets of Red Bull...




- Shaun "the animal" White taking his victory lap.




- Womens Podium- L-R: Jenny Jones 3rd, Kjersti Buass 1st, Jamie Andreson 2nd




- Dudes Podium- L-R: Charles Reid 3rd, Shaun White 1st, Tim Humphreys 2nd







2008 BURTON US OPEN
Slopestyle Video
Halfpipe Report
Halfpipe Video
Big Air Report
Big Air Video

Sunday, March 23rd 2008 @ 11:59 AM.
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