Xavier Bertoni Wins X Games Halfpipe

Jan 23, 2009

Author: sbcskier.com

In perhaps the most epic ski pipe contest ever, France’s Xavier Bertoni edged out the favoured Americans, Tanner Hall the defending and three-time X-Games Pipe Champ and perennial runner up Simon Dumont. Canada’s Justin Dorey followed in fourth.

Tanner, gracious in second, declared the night finals, which was broadcast live around the world (except in Canada), one of the greatest for skiing! “It was crazy that I had to throw down my third run and stick it. I did the best I could to throw it down! This was such a great night for skiing!”

The 540 ft long X-Games Superpipe was one of the sickest, most perfect pipes ever featuring 22 ft high walls that were 75 ft lip-to-lip, set on an 18 degree pitch. The result was speed and massive amplitude for the world’s best skiers to showcase pipe progression.

X Games Podium, left to right: Tanner Hall, Xavier Bertoni, Simon Dumont. Bakke photo

Bertoni delivered flawless 1260s, switch 720s, 9s and alley-oop flat spin 360s in his runs going bigger than everyone, except perhaps Dumont. Definitely some of the biggest switch hits ever stomped. For his part, Hall threw down huge double flips on his first hit, a big 12, 9s, his trademark alley-oop flatspin 3, and a switch 7 at the bottom. As expected Dumont went bigger than anyone and nailed a massively smooth 1260, plus huge 9s and a perfect switch 10 at the bottom. In the end, though Bertoni prevailed by seeming to perfectly blend the best of Hall’s technical skill with Dumont’s huge amplitude. But it was close and an exciting see saw battle right until the end!

Tanner Hall. McCririck photo

 Simon Dumont. McCririck photo

Tanner Hall congratulates Xavier Bertoni. McCririck photo

The X-Games Women’s Pipe Finals take place tonight with Canada’s Sarah Burke, the defending champ going for a third gold in a row. Ski Big Air goes Saturday night and then it’s the much anticipated Slopestyle on Sunday, along with SkierX.

X-GAMES SUPERPIPE RESULTS
1. Xavier Bertoni, La Clusaz, France  (Rossignol, Giro) 93.66
2. Tanner Hall, Kalispell, MO, USA (Red Bull, Armada, Oakley)   92.00
3. Simon Dumont, Bethel, Maine, USA (Red Bull, Salomon, Oakley)   91.00
4. Justin Dorey, Vernon, BC, Canada (Dynastar, Scott, Lange)  83.33
5. Colby West, Breckenridge, CO, USA (Monster, Giro, Technica)   79.33
6. Duncan Adams, Breckenridge, CO, USA (Dynastar, Spy, Spyder)   74.66
7. AJ Kemppainen, Kuusamo, Finland (Salomon, Oakley)  72.33
8. Kevin Rolland, La Plagne, France (Rossignol)   50.00

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