What a final! How is this the new normal? Progression just went to a whole new level.
The Men’s Olympic Halfpipe Finals just wrapped up and holy shit what a spectacle it was. From style to technicality, NBD’s and in everything in-between…this final had it all!
HUGE congratulations to Scotty James for putting the boxing gloves to work and going head to head with Ayumu Hirano to take home the Silver medal…doing Australia proud! By far the most heated final in halfpipe history.
Ayumu, putting down the best halfpipe run in history. Crushing his last run with a 96.00! Also props for getting 3/3 triples on his first hits.
Run two of the finals, was when history was made. Scotty James, going first hit switch backside 1260 and consistent technicality throughout. Ayumu dropping in and putting down a triple first hit and stomping everything after to BLOW minds for run number two. Scotty came out on top with a 92.50, Ayumu scoring a 91.75. Ummmm?
There’s been some hot controversy over the scoring on run number two. Official US snowboard commentator Todd Richards said:
“Ahhh what? What? Is there a mistake? There’s no way, there is no way. A 91.75?” he said in commentary for NBC. “As far as I’m concerned, the judges just grenaded all their credibility.
“I’ve been doing this for so long, so long, I know what a good run looks like. I know the ingredients of a winning run. I know when I’ve seen the best run that’s ever been done in the halfpipe.
“Try to tell me where you’re deducting from this run. It’s unbelievable that this is even happening. It’s a travesty to be completely honest with you.
“I am irate right now.
“Someone call the authorities, there’s been a robbery.”
Ayumu, then laced together the cleanest and best run to take home the Gold. Scotty coming unstuck on his final run. A well earnt top spot.
Jan Scherrer out of nowhere came out swinging on his second run, scoring a huge 87.25 that shook up the field and shot him the top spot for a bit.
Kaishu is a psycho and is the new snowboarders favourite snowboarder, the peoples champ. Those methods were sent direct from the heavens above. Hallelujah.
The 16-year-old Aussie super freak Valentino Guseli was the only rider to put down all three of his runs. Ramping it up each run, he sent it to the moon and did us all proud, landing in 6th spot.
Shaun White, still putting it down and every so gracefully. What an incredible high to finish on. Unable to land on the podium and clean up his third run, he took off the helmet and soaked in what was his last ever Olympic run ever!
A huge day for snowboarding. Stay tuned here for more Olympic coverage still to come.
