Davos, Switzerland, Saturday January 7, 2012. Theworld of professional snowboarding kicked off 2012 with a bang as hard foughtO'Neill Evolution victories by Canadian, Mark McMorris, and compatriot, Spencer O'Brien, capped a week of dramatic action in Davos, Switzerland.
Despite significant weather challenges throughout the contest, the first major event onthe 2012 TTR World Snowboard Tour once again brought the cream of internationalriders and the highest level of performance to the picturesque Alpine resort ofDavos. Pushing the highest known technical limits, competition was fierce asriders vied for a share of the $125,000 prize purse, TTR Ranking points andseeding into the World Championships.
The Women's Final was blessed with the best ridingconditions of the week, and the eight competitors who made the final took notime in demonstrating massive progression. Despite stiff competition, SpencerO'Brien raised the bar from the outset, and continued to set the standard forthe remainder of the 3-run finals.
O'Brien'sfirst run, a stomped frontside 720 nosebone to gapped lipslide, caught theimagination of the judges and saw her take home $20,000 USD and directqualifications to the World Championships. Sina Candrian(SUI) was alwaysdangerous, but failed to land her final run leaving her in 2nd place while AnnaGasse(AUT) managed to fend off podium-hungry challengers to secure third.
Therewas an electric atmosphere enveloping the huge crowd at the foot of theJakobshorn as an incredible light show welcomed in the 16-man Night Final.Every person present was treated to a rarely seen level of progressivefreestyle snowboarding.
Theatmosphere intensified as the lead was swapped between Eric Willet(USA) andMark McMorris. Willet scored what looked like an unassailable 95.30pts with aswitch backside doublecork 1260 to lipslide 270 in his second run, only forMcMorris to edge in front of him with a score of 95.60pts thanks to an evenbigger backside doublecork 1260 to lipslide 270. Seppe Smits(BEL) turned up thepressure, landing a cab 1440 mute to cab 270 fronside boardslide in his finalrun, but it was not enough to change the order of the podium, with McMorrispocketing a cool $40,000 USD for his efforts.
The results also saw major Tour Lead changes on the TTR World SnowboardingTour Ranking system. Eric Willet now moves to the top of the TTR Big AirRanking, Christian Haller(SUI) moved into the TTR Overall lead while SinaCandrian(SUI) and Seppe Smits(BEL) booked places at the World SnowboardChampionships.
Inwhat will be remembered as one of the most incredible O'Neill Evolutions todate, the celebrations are set to start and look certain to go well into thenight.
For all addition details for the Women's orMen's Finals please check: http://www.oneill.com/evolution/