Monster Energy’s Taylor Gold and David Wise win the Opening US Grand Prix Snowboard and Ski Halfpipe Events at Copper Mountain.
Copper Mountain, CO (PRWEB) December 08, 2014 -- The North American snowboard and freeski contest season kicked off this past week with the US Grand Prix at Copper Mountain with Monster Energy’s Taylor Gold and David Wise winning in their respective snowboard and freeski categories.
The Grand Prix marks the 2014-15’s first North American event of the year, an event where a number of the elite athletes shake off the rust and get back to business.
Wise – the reigning Olympic, X Games and FIS World Champ – kept the winning trail rolling and set the stage early with his first run that included his signature switch double flip 1080 to back-to-back double cork 1260s.
“Honestly, my goal in coming here wasn’t to shoot for a win or shoot for the podium,” said David Wise. “I just wanted to come out and land some solid runs.”
On the snowboard side, Taylor Gold didn’t cruise to victory like his freeski counterpart, facing stiff competition from Ben Ferguson and Yiwei Zhang. But with this season’s brand-new three run, best run counts format opposed to last year’s two run format, Gold was given that final opportunity on his third run to seal his win
“I really loved the three-run format,” Taylor told USSA. “If it wasn’t for that last run I would have been in trouble.”
After crashing his first two runs, Taylor stomped his third, boosting a method first hit, then proceeding into a frontside 1260, double Michalchuk and back-to-back double cork 1080s that was unbeatable.
In the women’s freeski realm, Monster Energy’s Olympic Slopestyle Silver Medalist Devin Logan took second place with her first run combo of a left 720 mute to switch alley-oop 540. The dual discipline threat isn’t as strong in halfpipe, but she still held it down with a competitive run at the Grand Prix finishing with second.
“I feel good. It’s the first event of the year,” said Logan. “I just wanted to get my feet back under me leading into Dew Tour next week.”
The event at Copper is the first of three US Grand Prix events. The next two take place at Mammoth Mountain, CA and Park City, Utah in February. Next on the contest calendar for Gold, Wise and the rest of the Monster Energy snowsports athletes is the Winter Dew Tour at Breckenridge, CO, December 11-14.
For more information on Monster Energy’s freeski and snowboard athletes, visit: http://www.monsterenergy.com.
For interview or photo requests, contact Kim Dresser (kim.dresser(at)indiepragency(dot)com).
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About Monster Beverage Corporation:
Based in Corona, California, Monster Beverage Corporation is the leading marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Beverage Corporation supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Beverage Corporation including all of its drinks at http://www.monsterenergy.com.
Kim Dresser, Indie Agency LLC, http://www.indiepragency.com, +1 (949) 300-5546, [email protected]
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