A Job Well Done: Welcome Back, Burton Athletes
What a whirlwind.
Major props to all of the athletes (and especially the Burton Team) for competing at the Olympics over the last several weeks. Between our men's and women's team riders, they pulled in seven medals for their respective countries. Some really good snowboarding went down, there were upsets, surprise finishes, and tricks we'd never seen before. It was inspiring, nerve-wracking, and fun to watch all at the same time.
To recap, here are some of our favorite moments:
1. When Red Gerard won slopestyle, said f*ck on TV, and became a meme.
2. All of the following: When Chloe Kim tweeted about ice cream mid-competition, when everyone freaked out trying to buy her beanie, and when she gave the Order of Ikkos medal to Kelly Clark.
3. When both Ayumu Hirano and Shaun White pulled off back-to-back 1440s in the men's halfpipe finals.
4. When Anna Gasser answered back with a stomped cab double ten in Big Air after windy conditions marred the slopestyle competition.
5. When we realized you could add Mark McMorris' face to your Instagram stories.
*Honorable Mention*
When the Czech Republic's Ester Ledecka, a snowboarder, took first in a skiing event. Take that, skiers.
So now that that's out of the way, what's next for snowboarding? Well, the U·S·Open of course. It's our self-proclaimed "World's Greatest Snowboard Event" and pretty much the most fun contest of the entire year. Be sure to follow along to keep the good times rolling and see all your favorite riders competing again.
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Chloe Kim has reached the level of riding where she's competing against herself. Results: Gold, Halfpipe, USA
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Ayumu Hirano might be the only person who can really give Shaun White a run for his money. Results: Silver, Halfpipe, Japan
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Red Gerard went from relatively unknown to America's next millennial hero. Results: Gold, Slopestyle, USA
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Shaun White. What more is there to say? Results: Gold, Halfpipe, USA
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Mark McMorris' comeback from injury inspired the world. Results: Bronze, Slopestyle, Canada
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Anna Gasser finally got the chance to show the world how well she's been riding. Results: Gold, Big Air, Austria
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Kelly Clark rode in her 5th Olympics and there's no denying the sport has progressed because of her. Results: 4th, Halfpipe, USA
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Ben Ferguson's air-to-fakie was legendary. Results: 4th, Halfpipe, USA