Mammoth Grand Prix: 2nd Time around

The Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain is already over right? Nope...there's still the 2nd round to be had. The USSA had to squeeze in 5 events in order to satisfy FIS rules for the Olympic qualifiers. Why not save some time and have two halfpipe GP events back to back at Mammoth Mountain. Mens & Womens Halfpipe Qualifiers took place today on a very nice pipe. The weather was nice & sunny, but the wind was a bit of the factor as it was a bit gusty out of the west. It didn't matter to the competitors as they still did their best in trying to make the US Olympic team. The big story of the week was Danny Davis's win on Wednesday for the Halfpipe stop at Mammoth & unleashing a run that Shaun White could not even touch. However, today Shaun qualified 1st, but didn't face Danny as they were in separate heats. Riders were for sure saving themselves for finals as you didn't see any big back to back double corks & Michalchuk's. They were doing just enough to get them into the finals without sacrificing their standings. Porters team rider Andy Finch did just that and will be competing in tomorrows final. The format is the top 6 in each heat go to the final then the next 4 top scores of both heats combined get in.
Previously I had posted about the unfortunate incident that had happened to Kevin Pierce . Another unfortunate injury happened today as 2006 Olympic Team member Mason Aquirre suffered a dislocated shoulder in a practice run. It looks like Masons hopes to claim a medal at this years Olympics will come up short as he sought to be apart of the Olympic Team once again. Get well Mason.
At this particular Grand Prix, there is also a slopestyle event and the qualifiers went down yesterday. Porters team rider & contest machine Chas Guldemond qualified 1st and will be competing for the money on Sundays final. There's more boarding competition to be had tomorrow & I'll keep you updated on tomorrows results.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 Sprint U.S. SNOWBOARDING GRAND PRIX
Mammoth Mountain, CA - Jan. 8, 2010
Halfpipe Qualifiers

Men
1. Shaun White, Carlsbad, CA, 45.80
2. Danny Davis, Detroit, MI, 45.20
3. Dylan Bidez, Minturn, CO, 43.10
4. JJ Thomas, Golden, CO, 41.40
5. Elijah Teter, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 41.30
6. Louie Vito, Sandy, UT, 40.80
7. Nathan Johnstone, Australia, 40.70
8. Zack Black, Breckenridge, CO, 39.60
9. Steve Fisher, Breckenridge, CO, 39.50
10. Matt Ladley, Steamboat Springs, CO, 39.40
11. Mathieu Crepel, France, 38.30
12. Luke Mitrani, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 38.20
13. Andy Finch, Truckee, CA, 38.00
14. Jack Mitrani, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 37.90
15. Brad Martin, Canada, 37.20
16. Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH, 36.90

Women
1. Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, VT, 45.60
2. Hannah Teter, Belmont, VT, 44.00
3. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO, 41.30
4. Clair Bidez, Minturn, CO, 39.90
5. Holly Crawford, Australia, 38.90
6. Ellery Hollingsworth, Stratton, VT, 38.30
7. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 37.90
8. Maddy Schaffrick, Steamboat Springs, CO, 37.20