Rahm Klampert, Leanne Pelosi, Kelly Clark, Danny Kass, Priscilla Levac and Jake Blauvelt All Clinch Championship Titles
STRATTON MOUNTAIN, Vt.--(COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Mar 22, 2004--The 2004 Philips US Open wrapped up today with the slopestyle finals and Nick GAS Junior Jam events. Up-and-comers Priscilla Levac and Jake Blauvelt won the slopestyle contest, both claiming the first major contest titles of their careers. And Danny Kass won the Jeep Most Outstanding Athlete award and a pimped-out Jeep(R) Wrangler Unlimited for winning the men`s halfpipe, placing fourth in the slopestyle event and making a strong showing in the rail jam contest.
The weekend was filled with landmark moments. Women competed in the rail jam for the first time, throwing down and showing the huge crowds how far women`s snowboarding has progressed. Kelly Clark won the halfpipe event and joined the elite group of two-time US Open halfpipe champions, increasing her recent winning streak to six major contest titles this season alone. Terje Haakonsen made a surprise appearance at the Open, treating the tens of thousands fans at the halfpipe contest to one poached run after another. And snowboarding history was made when Danny Kass threw down one of the best runs of his career, becoming one of only two riders in the event`s 22-year history to win three US Open halfpipe titles.
In today`s slopestyle contest, the weather held for the women`s finals, but took a major turn for the worse by the time the men�s contest started. But the women got lucky, and Kelly Clark, Priscilla Levac and Hana Beaman took advantage of the break in the weather. Kelly and Priscilla both threw down super solid runs with Kelly nailing a cab 3, cab 180, backside 3 and backside 7 indie on the jumps and showing smooth style on the rails. Priscilla also rode really strong and nailed a cab 5, backside 3, a straight air and frontside 5. The two runs were so close that the judges had to deliberate for several hours before making a final decision. In the end, they gave the first place spot, the $20,000 and a Philips Audio Jukebox to Priscilla. Kelly Clark took second and went home to her nearby hometown of West Dover, Vermont $30,000 richer. Hana Beaman, the 2003 Philips US Open slopestyle champion, claimed the third spot on the podium.
Just as the women wrapped up, the bad weather rolled in. Full on blizzard conditions socked in the mountain and the course practically turned into a powder run by the time the men`s competition wrapped up. But the riders still charged and definitely earned their prize money. Stowe, Vermont local Jake Blauvelt put together a solid run with a frontside 7, cab 7, switch backside 5, backside 5 and a frontside railslide to 270 out on the bottom rail. Jake�s run won him the contest, $20,000 and a Philips Audio Jukebox and he was super stoked. ''I`ve never even won a Vans Triple Crown or a Grand Prix,'' said Jake. ''I didn`t even expect to land because there was so much snow, so I can`t believe I won.'' Travis Rice, who`s used to plenty of powder after growing up in Jackson Hole, took second, rounding out his weekend`s winnings to $11,000 after placing second in the rail jam as well. And German rider Christophe Schmidt took third place.
Before the slopestyle event, there was plenty of action in the superpipe as well with the future stars of the sport getting down to business in the Nick GAS Junior Jam. Ellery Hollingsworth and Ross Baker took the top spots and went home with a Philips Camera Key Ring. Highlights from the Junior Jam will air on Nick GAS.
Not only was the level of riding off the hook at this year`s event, the musical acts also put on a killer show. Wu-Tang Clan�s Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna took to the Philips Key Ring Concert Stage on Friday night after the rail jam. And Bronx-born DJ Funkmaster Flex, known for his No. 1 radio show on New York`s Hot 97, performed after the halfpipe finals and kept Saturday night partiers dancing late into the night.
To relive all the action, check out Philips US Open coverage on NBC on April 11, 2004 from 1:30-3:00 pm EST.
For print quality photos from the event, https://ttp://www.usopen-snowboarding.com/default.aspx?url=press.aspx%23password and go to the `photos for publishing` section. You will need to enter the following username and password to access the hi-res images - username: usopen password:strattonmountain
2004 PHILIPS US OPEN FINAL RESULTS
WOMEN`S RAIL JAM
1st - $6,000 - Pelosi, Leanne
2nd - $1,000 - Comstock, Erin
3rd - $1,000 - Zurek, Natasza
4th - $1,000 - Levac, Priscilla
5th - $1,000 - Maas, Cheryl
SoBe Sick Trick Award- $2,500 and Philips Camera Key Ring
MEN`S RAIL JAM
1st - $6,000 - Klampert, Rahm
2nd -$1,000 - Rice, Travis
3rd - $1,000 - Rotax, Chris
4th - $1,000 - Caldwell, Wyatt
5th - $1,000 - Cronk, Cory
SoBe Sick Trick Award- $2,500 and Philips Camera Key Ring
WOMEN`S HALFPIPE
1st - Clark, Kelly - $20,000 & Philips Audio Jukebox
2nd - Byrnes, Tricia - $10,000 & Philips Camera Key Ring
3rd - Kjeldaas, Stine - $5,000 & Philips Audio Key Ring MP3 Player
4th - Teter, Hannah - $2,000
5th - Bidez, Claire - $1,500
MEN`S HALFPIPE
1st - Kass, Danny - $20,000 & Philips Audio Jukebox
2nd - Fisher, Steve - $10,000 & Philips Camera Key Ring
3rd - Dillon, Keir - $5,000 & Philips Audio Key Ring MP3 Player
4th - Aguirre, Mason - $2,000
5th - Powers, Ross - $1,500
WOMEN`S SLOPESTYLE
1st � Levac, Priscilla - $20,000 & Philips Audio Jukebox
2nd � Clark, Kelly - $10,000 & Philips Camera Key Ring
3rd � Beaman, Hana - $5,000 & Philips Audio Key Ring MP3 Player
4th � Macleod, Jamie - $2,000
5th � Zurek, Natasza - $1,500
MEN`S SLOPESTYLE
1st � Blauvelt, Jake - $20,000 & Philips Audio Jukebox
2nd � Rice, Travis - $10,000 & Philips Camera Key Ring
3rd � Schmidt, Christophe - $5,000 & Philips Audio Key Ring MP3 Player
4th � Kass, Danny - $2,000
5th � Emond, Tyler - $1,500
BOY`S JUNIOR JAM
1st - Baker, Ross � Philips Camera Key Ring
2nd - Tomlinson, JJ � Philips Camera Key Ring
3rd - Ladley, Matthew � Philips Audio Key Ring MP3 Player
GIRL`S JUNIOR JAM
1st - Hollingsworth, Ellery � Philips Camera Key Ring
2nd - Beerman, Elizabeth � Philips Camera Key Ring
3rd - Shaw, Brooke � Philips Audio Key Ring MP3 Player
For more information on the Philips US Open, contact:
Leigh Ault (802) 734-6177
[email protected]
Caroline Andrew (212) 528-1691
[email protected]
The Open Snowboarding Championships are the pinnacle snowboarding events of the season. Founded by Jake Burton, the Opens have grown from grassroots events to global spectacles attracting tens of thousands of spectators and riders from around the world. Since the beginning, the Opens have been driven by riders, for riders evolving with snowboarding and riders` needs over the years. The Opens welcome all riders to compete, giving locals, amateurs and pros an equal shot at a world-class title. With events spanning three continents, The Burton European Open, Nippon Open in Japan and the Philips US Open in Vermont set the standard for snowboarding events around the globe. Thanks to 2004 sponsors Philips Electronics, Burton Snowboards, Stratton Mountain, Jeep�, SoBe Beverages, FHM and GORE-TEX(R) outerwear for helping make the Open snowboarding�s most anticipated event.
For more information on the Philips US Open, visit www.opensnowboarding.com
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