Shaun White

Shaun White and Danny Davis continued battling for the top spot today at the 3rd of 5 Olympic half pipe qualifiers. The wind at Mammoth Mountain picked up Friday morning, providing a firm and fast half pipe. Danny Davis used the speed to his advantage and blasted a front side double cork, Hakkon Flip, Frontside 900, and a alley-oop Heave Ho during his run.

Shaun White fired back on his second run with a Cab double cork to font side 1260 to backside 900. That line qualified him first for the finals.

On the ladies side Gretchen Bleiler put together a solid run with a huge crippler 720, then backside and frontside 540ss along with front and cab 720ss. Some of Gretchens's spins were lacking in the grab department, so that run only got her into 3rd. Hannah Teter had similar tricks in her run, backside and frontside 540s followed by frontside and cab 720s, but she was able to get some solid grabs on her spins including a tail on the back 540. That run qualified Hannah in 2nd.

These runs apparently persuaded Kelly Clark to switch things up and she added a crippler 720 into her run that already included huge straight airs, a backside 540, and back to back 720s.

On all accounts, that was the first time anyone had seen her throw the crippler in competition. For her efforts she was rewarded the number one qualifier position.

Finals for the half pipe are going down Saturday at noon where more Olympic spots will most likely be announced.

Words/Photos: Kevin Westenbarger

Mammoth Grand Prix #2 Qualifiers

Men s results:
1. Shaun White
2. Danny Davis
3. Dylan Bidez
4. JJ Thomas
5. Elijah Teter
6. Louie Vito
7. Nathan Johnstone
8. Zach Black
9. Steve Fisher
10.Matt Ladley

Women s results:
1. Kelly Clark
2. Hannah Teter
3. Gretchen Bleiler
4. Clair Bidez
5. Holly Crawford
6. Ellery Hollingsworth
7. Elena Hight
8. Madeline schaffrick
9. Sarah Conrad
10. Kait Farrington