grand prix

Kelly Clark won her 2nd US Grand Prix in a row and secured herself a spot on the US Olympic Team. Her winning run was a clean frontside air, backside 5, frontside 9, backside air, frontside 7, cab 7. 

The US Olympic team will be decided by the top 2 finishes in Grand Prix events. With two first place finished, Clark has assured herself a berth on her 3rd Olympic team.

"I couldn't be happier with my result today and it's a privilege to be going to my third Olympic Games," said Clark. "It's a pretty overwhelming thing and I would just say I feel privileged right now to be 26 years old and heading to my third Olympics. It's a really incredible thing."

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.