X Games Aspen 2013 is officially over, thus bringing an end to the first North American 6Star event on the World Snowboard Tour. Record crowds flocked to the town of Aspen, Colorado to see the high-paced action over the last week, but nothing drew more spectators than the games pinnacle event; Men’s snowboard halfpipe.

Crowd favorite Shaun White, who earlier this week placed fifth in Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle, redeemed himself by winning his sixth consecutive X Games Gold Medal in halfpipe. His signature backside air on his first hit boosted an awe inspiring 24-feet out of the pipe, breaking his own record by a foot. His next hits were back-to-back double 1080s into a cork 5 followed by a double Mctwist 1260 and finished off with a frontside double 1260. This run scored him a near perfect 98 points.

Shortly before the competition, Swiss snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov pulled out due to illness. Podladtchikov won qualifications and may have been White’s biggest threat in tonight’s competition. “He texted me and apologized before the event," White said about Podladtchikov’s absence. “I know how hard it is to have to drop out, I like riding with Iouri. He pushes me," added Shaun.

Although the Swiss threat was unavailable to compete against White,14-year old X Games rookie Ayumu Hirano won silver with a 92.33. The Japanese native impressed the judges with huge amplitude and his smooth front and cab 1080’s. Hirano completed front and back 900’s then finished his run with his only double; a double cork 1080.

Hirano is the youngest person to ever win a Winter X Games medal. “This was my first X games, and I am just here to have fun”, Hirano replied to a question about his experience here in aspen.

Rounding off the podium was Finland’s Markus Malin who was not far behind with a score of 91.33. Malin landed a double Mctwist 1260, the same trick that was first seen from White before the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.

“Six years, it’s crazy”, said White about his 6th gold medal in a row, “It feels good, I don’t think I have ever been more focused or in tune with what I’m doing, I will probably be more uncomfortable when I’m going for my seventh” , he joked.

Now that the 6Star X Games has come to an end, riders will be heading to Park City to compete in the 5Star Sprint US Grand Prix where they will be able to collect valuable World Snowboard Tour points and Olympic qualifying points at the same event.

Results:
1. Shaun White, Carlsbad, CA, 98.00
2. Ayumu Hirani, Murakami, JPN, 92.33
3. Markus Malin, Lahti, FIN, 91.33
4. Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH, 90.00
5. Greg Bretz, Mammoth Lake, CA, 84.66
6. Louie Vito, Bellefontaine, OH, 73.33
7. Christian Haller, Zernez, SUI, 36.66

Men's Slopestyle Finals
Canada’s Mark McMorris has defended his Gold medal title in Slopestyle with the highest ever score in X Games Slopestyle history. The 19-year old from Regina was able to earn an impressive 98.00 in the first North American 6Star event on the World Snowboard Tour this season. McMorris executed an impressive display on the upper rail setup and then landed a cab 1260 double cork to a front 1080 double cork to a double wildcat backside. His last jump was a triple cork 1440 that seemed to be no less than flawless.

“I came here to do the run I wanted to and was able to pull it off, so I’m really stoked“, he said. McMorris, who won silver in last night’s big air event, not only walked away with a gold tonight but also 1000 World Snowboard Tour points. 
Second place went to fellow Canadian, 18-year old Max Parrot whose run scored an impressive 90 points. His first jump was a cab double 900 and then a front 1080 double on the second jump to a double walk out on the third. His last jump was a huge back triple 1440. Parrot’s second place finish also bumped him up into second place in the World Snowboard Tour’s Slopestyle rankings.

Seppe Smits from Belgium landed a very clean run including a triple cork. Smits had some issues with his triple on the last feature that forced him to revert, but it was still good enough to land him on the podium in third.

Men's Slopestyle Results
1. Mark McMorris, Regina, CAN 98.00
2. Max Parrot, Bromont, CAN 90.00
3. Seppe Smits, Westmalle, BEL 85.00
4. Chas Guldemond, Reno, NV 80.00
5. Shaun White, Carlsbad, CA 71.00
6. Peetu Piiroinen, Hyvinkaa, FIN 66.00
7. Aleksander Oestreng, Rykkinn, NOR 55.00
8. Gjermund Braaten, Olso, NOR 18.00

For the women, it was USA’s Jamie Anderson who took home the gold for the second year in a row and her fourth gold medal at X Games. A few of the Women were having issues landing clean runs on this year’s course, but Anderson was able to lay down a run that was both clean and full of amplitude. Her run included a backside 180 to a cab 720 to a massive switch backside 540.

“It just feels so good”, said Anderson about her win. “I’m so happy to be here with a healthy body and a healthy mind.” Anderson’s win helped her move into fifth place in the Women’s overall World Snowboard Tour rankings.

Sarka Pancochova, the 22-year old Czech a scored a 90 to put her into second place. Pancochova landed a very clean backside 720 on the last jump of the course that help her boost her score. This is the first X Games medal for the Czech athlete.

In third was Spencer O’Brien out of British Columbia, Canada. O’Brien was having issues in both practice and during competition, but was able to land a run with a memorable cab 540. Spencer has not been on the podium at this event for four years. “It just feels really good to be back on top”, said O’Brien.

Women's Slopestyle Results:
1. Jamie Anderson, South Lake Tahoe, CA 93.00
2. Sarka Pancochova, Uhersky Brod, CZE 90.00
3. Spencer O’Brien, Courtenay, BC, CAN 88.66
4. Enni Rukajarvi, Kuusamo, FIN 83.33
5. Sina Candrian, Flims, SUI 70.33
6. Kjersti Oestgaard Buaas, Trondheim, NOR 38.00
7. Silije Norendal, Oslo, NOR 30.33
8. Aimee Fuller, Kent, GBR 18.66

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