Mastro Third in Toyota U.S. Grand Prix
Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team halfpipe team athlete Maddie Mastro took home her 13th World Cup podium today at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, finishing the day in third.
Athletes gathered on the massive 22-foot tall superpipe today in Copper where Olympian Mastro came in third. On her highest scoring run, Mastro executed her tricks: the front 9 mel, back 5 indy, front 7 font side grab, cab 7 under flip indy into front double crippler front side grab. Her result in Copper secured the coveted FIS World Cup yellow bib, signifying she is the current women's snowboard halfpipe World Cup leader.
Teammate Bea Kim also competed in finals, just missing the podium in fourth. Kim's fourth place result was due to her well-executed tricks, including the front 7 melon, cab 5 indy, switch back 5 mute, cab 7 and her list hit, front 9.
At the end of the day, Gaon Choi of Korea won first place and Mitsuki Ono of Japan was second.
On the men's side, Chase Josey took seventh place in finals, with his front double 10 stale fish, cab 9 tail, switch back 10, back double chuck into front double 12.
Ayumu Hirano of Japan was first, Chaeun Lee in second and Yuto Totsuka of Japan took the third spot.
“Today was a great day. Copper built one of the best halfpipes of the year,” said Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team halfpipe team head coach Danny Kass. “Big shout out to the mountain and the team for working so hard. It was great to see Maddie Mastro step up again, improving on what she laid down in China adding that big front nine and the double crippler. Wanted to see Chase Josey put it down in that one but we'll get it next time.”
Up next, the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team halfpipe team takes a holiday break before traveling to Laax, Switzerland for a halfpipe World Cup event Jan. 17-20.
