Ursina Haller and Iouri Podladtchikov Win 6 Star Burton European Open Halfpipe

January 22, 2014 John

Laax, Switzerland – 19 January 2013

The 2014 Burton European Open presented by MINI came to an end today in Laax, where Swiss Ursina Haller and Iouri Podladtchikov won the World Snowboard Tour 6 Star Halfpipe finals.
We witnessed an all-Swiss podium after the women’s contest today – Ursina was followed by Verena Rohrer and Carla Somaini. In the men’s competition, it was Finnish Janne Korpi preventing a Swiss threesome; his last run was enough to secure the third place after Christian Haller (SUI).

Just like in yesterday’s Slopestyle contest it was ladies first today, with 5 women dropping in. Enni Rukajärvi, who qualified in both the pipe and slope contest was still not able to start due to her knee injury from yesterday. Ursina secured her first spot with her second run, but it was her last run on which she improved herself massively, throwing out a Frontside 900 Tail Grab – Backside 540 Mute Grab – Frontside 540 Stalefish – Backside Air Backside Grab – Frontside 720 Tail Grab and receiving a 92.20 score. Ursina commented: ’It was such a great day riding and I am super happy that I took the top spot!’ Verena Rohrer gave it all in her last run, and did improve herself, with a very stylish execution on her Frontside Stalefish – Backside 540 Mute Grab – Frontside 540 Melon Grab – Method Air – Frontside 720 Melon Grab, but it wasn’t enough to beat Ursina’s second run. Asking Ursina what’s up next she revealed: ‚I will stay in Laax for a bit, get prepared for Sochi and work to improve some details, there’s always some things we can get better!’

The World Snowboard Tour Halfpipe ranking top 5 hasn’t changed with today’s result, but Ursina moved into sixth place with her win today.
In the afternoon the men’s contest commenced with 10 riders from 5 countries dropping in. Iouri immediately secured his top spot with his first run, scoring 86.30 and dominating the field. Iouri’s ironclad run consisted of a Frontside 900 Tail Grab – Backside 900 Mute Grab – Frontside 1080 Tail Grab – and Cab Double Cork 1080 Mute Grab. Christian’s second run earned him 84.90 points and brought him close, but it wasn’t enough. Iouri commented: ’I feel amazing, it’s so great to ride here back home. Actually, this has been my first week riding back home, I haven’t had the time to come up here and now it feels even better to come back after last year and to win here today.’ Janne Korpi was satisfied coming in third, after also having competed in the Slopestyle finals yesterday.
Christian Haller moved into 1st on the Halfpipe rankings with his second place today, and Iouri came into seventh place with his win. Janne Korpi moved up to eighth place.
The World Snowboard Tour will continue on the 6 Star level with the X-Games in Aspen, CO from Jan 23-26, in the disciplines Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Air newly added this season. The final 6 Star event will be the Burton US Open presented by MINI in Vail, Colorado, where all 2013-2014 champions will be crowned.