BURTON EUROPEAN OPEN IN LIVIGNO

21 January 2003


Halfpipe Men | Halfpipe Women | Halfpipe finals | Slopestyle | Night Shoot Out | Junior Jam

Halfpipe finals Men and Women
What a great day. The sun came out just in time for the Finals and the riding level was definitely at the NEXT LEVEL. The riders' startlist read like the 'who is who' in snowboarding.

German Vinzenz Lüps was the rider of the day, riding well constantly ruling the complete session. His run included FS Inverted 7 Nosegrab followed by a Haakon Flip, huge Standard Airs and a phat McTwist. Vinzenz stated: "I was sick in bed until yesterday and wasn't even sure if I could do the competition. This is probably the coolest competition I have ever been to and now I won the Halfpipe as well as the T.T.R. ticket - a dream came true for me."

Terje Haakonsen/NOR ended up 2nd. He went super big at the hip at the drop-in of the pipe, his trick variation was amazing and he never displayed the same run. The crowd went off when he stomped super nice Japan McTwists and as a tribute to Craig Kelly, he showed several Kelly Airs. Terje stated the following: "It was a tricky pipe to ride; looked like a lot of the riders had problems getting used to it. Still early in the season, but it turned out to be a good session."

Keir DillonNatasza ZurrekTerji

In third place Norwegian Eirik Haugo who impressed the judges with a Michalchuk Transfer over the Hip, nice Rotation Combos and super big Standard Airs.
At the Women's Finals it was Canadian Burton rider Natasza Zurek who got 1st - well deserved. Good rotations and huge Standard Airs. Constantly the best rider during the Jam Session. Natasza had the following to say: "I felt pretty good today and I stuck my tricks. I really had fun and the other riders did as well."

Behind Natasza it was French rider Dorianne Vidal who came in 2nd showing huge 7's and big Standard Airs. 3rd place for Olympic Champion Kelly Clark/USA - well deserved with good height and nice rotations. These girls were riding on another level compared to the rest of their competitors.

Results

Halfpipe - men
1. Vinzenz Lüps, GER, Scott
2. Terje Haakonsen, NOR, Burton
3. Eirik Haugo, NOR, O’Neill
4. Keir Dillon, USA, Burton
5. Martin Cernik, CZE, Quiksilver
6. Iker Fernandez, SPA, Burton
7. Gian Simmen, SUI, Santa Cruz
8. Steve Gruber, AUT, Salomon
9. Miikka Hast, FIN
10. Xaver Hoffmann, GER, Quiksilver
11. Luke Mitrani, USA, Burton
12. Freddi Kalbermatten, SUI, Burton

Halfpipe - women
1. Natasza Zurek, CAN, Burton
2. Doriane Vidal, FRA, Rossignol
3. Kelly Clark, USA, Burton
4. Elin Holvik, NOR, Rossignol
5. Manuela Pesko, SUI, Völkl
6. Cuca Aranda, SPA, Quiksilver
7. Tina Birbaum, SUI, Roxy
8. Rita Comi, ITA, Quiksilver

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