Gerard, Langland Second at Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix Slopestyle
Red Gerard and Hailey Langland led the U.S. Snowboard team with a pair of second-place finishes in snowboard slopestyle at the 25th Anniversary Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix World Cup at Buttermilk in Aspen, Colo.
It was all style and smiles for three-time X Games medalist Langland during the Grand Prix as she battled spring conditions, including a downward wind and slushy landings, in the first Beijing 2022 U.S. Olympic tryout event.
While she is currently working through an elbow injury, Langland claimed center stage through three stylish and consistent runs. Langland increased her amplitude and technicality throughout the day by first styling a backside 540 then to a cab 720 by her final run. Austria’s Anna Gasser won, with Finland’s Enni Rukajarvi in third. U.S. Snowboard teammate Jamie Anderson ended the day in sixth and Julia Marino in eighth.
“I had a rocky start out here in Aspen last week (at the World Championships),” said Langland. “But this is such a refresher because I came into this week with no expectations. It’s a huge surprise for me. All the girls are riding so well. I am so in love with snowboarding, and I want to keep learning new tricks.”
Olympic gold medalist Gerard came out on top for the U.S. men, securing an early podium towards Olympic team nomination heading into next season. Gerard shared the podium with Norway’s Marcus Kleveland in first and Canada’s Mark McMorris in third. Among the U.S. Snowboard Team athletes, Dusty Henricksen took fifth, and Judd Henkes landed in ninth.
“To be honest, it was crazy going through qualifications, which is easily the most stressful process. You have 60 riders cut down to six in each heat. Once you make finals, it’s a bit of stress relief,” said Gerard. “It was really fun. And to get a podium and get an early start going into next season is really cool. I am really happy about it, just to get back into the contest rhythm after this crazy year.”
Gerard came out firing the first run, landing his first switchback 1620 Weddle in competition. His first run proved to be to stand the test of time as Gerard battled springtime slush on the course throughout his remaining runs.
Henricksen, putting up a fight as well, gave an incredible showing against a stacked field with a consistent front 180 to switch back 360 in the rail section along with a cab double 1260 nose grab in his final run. Most notably during his third run, Henkes held on where he stomped a clean rail section and a final switchback 1440 Stalefish, although catching heelside resulting in a crash at the end of his last run.
Tomorrow concludes competition at the 25th Anniversary of the Land Rover Grand Prix with freeski and snowboard halfpipe finals.
RESULTS
Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle
Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle
HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
Sunday, March 21
11:30 a.m. Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix Freeski Halfpipe - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
3:00 p.m. Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix Snowboard Halfpipe - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Olympic Channel, Streaming Peacock
Monday, March 22
3:30 p.m. Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix Freeski Slopestyle - delayed broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
5:00 p.m. Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix Snowboard Slopestyle - delayed broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
Tuesday, March 23
3:00 p.m. Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix Freeski Halfpipe - delayed broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
4:30 p.m. Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix Snowboard Halfpipe - delayed broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
FOLLOW
Instagram - @ussnowboardteam
Instagram - @usfreeskiteam
Facebook - @usskiandsnowboard
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