Snowboarding: Kelly Clark wins Copper Grand Prix

December 14, 2008 – Reigning overall champion Kelly Clark (West Dover, VT) boosted the best run of the day to win her third Grand Prix halfpipe competitions in a row as the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix, presented by Sprint, opened for the season Saturday at Copper Mountain.

While Clark has said that this is a season for her to reflect on her riding as a whole, as opposed to being in it for the competition, she needed no extra help in winning the Grand Prix in Copper as she threw down the two highest scoring runs of the day.

“It’s really encouraging. I didn’t know how my approach was going to go today. My focus has really been on the fundamentals these last few months and I’m really excited to have done so well just focusing on the basics,” Clark said. “I know once I get more into the technical aspects, it will be a really big strength to me.”

As far as U.S. Snowboarding Halfpipe Head Coach Mike Jankowski is concerned, Clark’s riding focuses will only make her a bigger force to be reckoned with.

“Kelly is riding at the top of her game right now, but at the same time she’s also looking to improve and take her riding to the next level, so watch out for more great things to come from Kelly,” Jankowski said.

Hannah Teter made a successful return to competition after taking a season off and was riding strongly as she took the third place spot.

“It was really fun. It was the first time for Copper hosting it and it’s going to be here for the next couple years. They do a really good job,” Teter said. “Right in the beginning it was super good so I’m just stoked to be here.”

For Teter, the podium spot was especially important as her winnings go directly to a village she sponsors in Kenya called Kirindon.

“I’m really excited with being on the podium. I come in with the intention of wanting to do really well, especially for my kids to make more money for them,” Teter said. 

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 U.S. SNOWBOARDING GRAND PRIX – PRESENTED BY SPRINT
Copper Mountain, CO – Dec. 13, 2008

Women’s Halfpipe
1. Kelly Clark, West Dover, VT, 43.20
2. Soko Yamaoka, Japan, 37.60
3. Hannah Teter, Belmont, VT, 37.50
4. Madeline Schaffrick, Steamboat Springs, CO, 36.60
5. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 32.30