Kelly Clark Wins First Grand Prix at Copper

Kelly Clark claimed the top spot at the first Olympic qualifying event this season - the US Snowboarding Grand Prix at Copper.  Kelly put down a huge first run of frontside air, backside five, frontside 900, backside air, frontside 700, cab 7.

Clark said, "I was really happy with my first run. I've been working really hard on the fitness side of things and really preparing for this season mentally and physically every way I can. I feel like at this point in the season I'm riding better than I ever have."

Gretchen Bleiler, who had some trouble on her first run, pulled it together on her second to take the second spot. American snowboarders are battling out for a spot on the US Olympic team. The five Grand Prix events will serve as qualifiers.

"Everything for me this season is leading up to Vancouver and every event I'm using as practice," Kelly Clark said. "I'm pushing myself to do my most technical difficult run right now so it becomes a lot easier for me and a lot like second nature so I'm able to build and progress throughout the season. This is a great starting point."

On the men's side it was the battle of the double doubles as both Shaun White and  Louie Vito looked to sit atop the podium. In the end, White beat out Vito, who was serenaded with Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" during his runs.

The next stop for the Grand Prix is Mammoth Mountain January 6-10 for 2 events.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 U.S. SNOWBOARDING GRAND PRIX
Copper Mountain, CO - Dec. 12, 2009
Halfpipe
Women
1. Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, VT, 44.50
2. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO, 42.60
3. Soko Yamaoka, Japan, 40.20
4. Quera Castellet, Spain, 30.50
5. Ellery Hollingsworth, Stratton, VT, 35.80
6. Madeline Schaffrick, Steamboat Springs, Co, 35.50
7. Holly Crawford, Australia, 24.00
8. Clair Bidez, Minturn, CO, 13.60

Men
1. Shaun White, Carlsbad, CA, 47.00
2. Louie Vito, Sandy, UT, 45.60
3. Zack Black, Breckenridge, CO, 44.10
4. Fredrik Austbo, Norway, 41.20
5. JJ Thomas, Golden, CO, 41.10
6. Greg Bretz, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 40.00
7. Steve Fisher, Breckenridge, CO, 39.40
8. Tore-V Holvik, Norway, 34.80
9. Ryo Aono, Japan, 34.00
10. Jack Mitrani, Mammoth, CA, 28.80