Football
Press Release 16y

48Straight Halfpipe Ttitles Go To Burke And Wells

SQUAW VALLEY, CA (Monday, Feb. 11, 2008)—A proven veteran and emerging star shared center stage Saturday at the John Paul Mitchell Systems halfpipe competition at 48Straight in Squaw Valley, Calif., with red-hot Sarah Burke of Canada and big air sensation Jossi Wells of New Zealand bringing home the titles.

Wells, who qualified third on the day behind defending champion Simon Dumont of Bethel, Maine, and Xavier Bertoni of France, led the field after the first run and immediately earned a spot in the super finals. There, he faced off against a stacked threesome in Justin Dorey of Canada, Colby West of Canterbury, N.H, and Bertoni. The 17-year-old Wells saved his best for last, earning the day's high score, a 94, when it mattered most to bring home the title.

"I was able to take a week off from skiing before this event, which allowed me to get my pipe legs back," said Wells, whose precision amplitude and transition allowed him to pull off a 540, back-to-back 900's and a 720 to a switch 900 in the last run. "I've been thinking about my runs all week, and just threw my thing my thing down and won it. Unfortunately Simon kind of messed up a bit today, which left me on top. I'm super stoked."

Dumont, a two-time X Games gold medalist and world champion who arrived in Squaw Valley as the defending champion, was feeling the effects of a shoulder injury suffered when attempting a quarter pipe record stunt in Aspen, Colo. The standout fought through the pain to earn the best qualifying score early one, but had difficulty in his two subsequent runs, thus removing him from contention.

"I'm a little bit bummed with my results today," said Dumont. "There was some tough wind, and my shoulder wasn't helping matters, but overall it was a good pipe contest."

On the women's side, Burke, the Winter X back-to-back gold medal winner, started the day with the highest qualifying score, a 90, and later earned an 87 to gain entry into the super final. Others making it through to the finals included Jen Hudak of Park City, Utah, Roz Groenewoud of Canada and Grete Eliassen of Hollowlay, Utah. On her last run, Burke pulled off a straight-air, straight-air, 900, followed by a straight-air and 720 to grab the high score of 86 and the overall title.

"There is always a lot of pressure when I compete, and I know I have to bring it every time because these women can rip," said Burke. "Having the high scores at the beginning gave me confidence, but it doesn't mean anything until the very end. I'm happy to get the win."

Judges for the ski cross halfpipe competition included snowboarding legend Jeff Brushie, joined by George Oakley, Evan Raps, Bryce Maxwell and Sean Carney.

Billed as the "Loudest Show on Snow," 48STRAIGHT is a jam-packed weekend of on-snow and off-snow activities designed to celebrate the mountain culture. In addition to the Jeep King of the Mountain races, the event will include a ski and snowboard halfpipe competition, a dozen live concerts, street parties, fashion shows and environmental expos.

Coverage of the action from Squaw Valley will be televised to a national broadcast audience on February 23 and 24 on CBS Sports and on nationally syndicated television beginning February 23. Videos may be found at jeepskiing.com.

The Jeep King of the Mountain and 48Straight winter season will conclude on March 14-16 at Sun Valley, Idaho.

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