Mammoth snowboarders do well in halfpipe on home terrain

By Lindsey Sine, U.S. Snowboarding

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN -– Kelly Clark of Mt. Snow, Vt., was back at it again Saturday as she, joined by first-time Grand Prix winner U.S. Snowboarding Rookie Matt Ladley of Steamboat Springs, Colo., took to the top of the halfpipe podium at the Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain. The win cemented Clark’s Grand Prix overall title, along with fellow champion Louie Vito of Sandy, Utah, who was third for the day.

“It’s great to come out and get another win here. More than the placing, I’m happy with my riding. That’s the most important thing for me and the good placing follows that,” Clark said.

Clark was followed in second by Gretchen Bleiler of Aspen and Sarah Conrad of Canada was third.

In favor of securing an early lead, Clark put together a run she knew she had on lock with a front 9, back 5, front 7, cab 7 and stalefish.

The event marked the seventh win in-a-row for Clark, who moves onto the Burton U.S. Open this week and hopes to add more wins and titles to her arsenal.

Following behind Ladley were hometown favorite Greg Bretz of Mammoth Mountain for second and Vito with the third.

“It’s really good that I was able to come home and perform well. It’s kind of bragging rights that I can put it down at home,” Bretz said.

And, while it wasn’t the exact result he was looking for, Vito was still pleased to come away with his second series title of the season.

The event marked the final tour stop of the Grand Prix series for the 2011 season.

Official results,, 2011 Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix, Mammoth Mountain, Halfpipe Snowboarding

Men

1. Matt Ladley, Steamboat Springs, CO, 45.40

2. Greg Bretz, Mammoth Mountain, CA, 43.90

3. Louie Vito, Sandy, UT, 43.00

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4. Trevor Jacob, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 41.60

9. Zack Black, Breckenridge, CO, 35.40

Women

1. Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, VT, 48.20

2. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO, 44.50

3. Sarah Conrad, Canada, 35.90

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4. Ellery Hollingsworth, Stratton, VT, 34.60

7. Kaitlyn Farrington, Sun Valley, ID

8. Clair Bidez, Minturn, CO, 14.20