European X Games Superpipe

Tignes, France (12 March 2010) – In the best performance of his career, Byron Wells took fifth place at the inaugural European X Games Superpipe in Tignes, France, beating some of the biggest names in Halfpipe including his older brother Jossi who took Silver at the US Winter X Games and placed sixth this time around.

At 17, Byron was the youngest competitor in the eight man final.

Byron going big at X-Games Europe Credit: Newschoolers.com

Byron’s first run was his best, stomping a switch 720, alley-oop flatspin 540, leftside 900, rightside 900 and a 540 true nose grab. For the first part of the contest, Byron held the top spot with some of the best held grabs and biggest airs of the night. He then humorously capped things off after crashing on an attempted first hit switch 10 with some old school hot dogging, much to the delight of the crowd, who blew their air horns and rang their cowbells in approval.

Jossi had a tougher night than he’s accustomed to after falling on his double during his first and third runs. On his second go he displayed the usual wizardry we’ve come to expect of him though with left and right 9’s and his switch 7 shifty that makes anyone who appreciates style drool, but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough to score him a spot on the steps.

Jossi on his way to sixth place Credit: Newschoolers.com

As the announcer counted down trois, deux, un, the 17,000+ big air thirsty crowd whipped themselves into a frenzy. Kevin Rolland’s two double flips and double cork 1260 mute grab on his last hit of his third run were unmatched and the Winter X Games 14 gold medallist authoritatively made it two-for-two once again walking away with the Gold.

Rolland’s best friend and fellow countryman Xavier Bertoni took Silver and Canada’s Justin Dorey took home the bronze.

The ESPN X Games the home of actionsports in America has created a sister event the European X Games in Tignes France. It has attracted all of the biggest names in freestyle ski and snowboard, Slopestyle and Halfpipe. 16 of the best pipe skiers in the world are invited to compete and the field is narrowed down to eight for the finals.

Results
1) Kevin Rolland – 95.66
2) Xavier Bertoni – 92.00
3) Justin Dorey – 86.66
4) Mike Riddle – 85.00
5) Byron Wells – 84.33
6) Jossi Wells – 82.66
7) Tucker Perkins – 80.33
AJ Kemppainen – 75.33