Enni Rukajärvi & Eric Willet win USOpen Slopestyle
The miserable pea soup weather, with a bit of rain thrown in, may have put the spectators off, but it didn't stop the riders throwing down some huge moves in the 2011 slopestyle finals in Stratton
Enni Rukajärvi (FIN) and Eric Willett (USA) won today’s slopestyle competition at the Burton US Open presented by MINI. Both riders will take home $20,000 cash as well as valuable points towards the Burton Global Open Series championship titles and the TTR top-10 rankings, which will be determined tomorrow.
Today’s competition marks the first time that Enni and Eric have won a coveted US Open title, and it was clear how much the win meant to both of them.
2011 US Open slopestyle winner Eric Willett
Photo: Shem Roose
“It felt really amazing to win today,” said Enni. “The Burton US Open is such a big event, so it really means a lot to win here. Even though the weather was difficult, the course was great and super fun to ride.”
Eric Willet added, “It was awesome to win. This is only my second time competing in the US Open, so to come here and win is great. Even with the tough weather, the level of riding was insane.”
2011 US Open slopestyle Spencer OBrien
Photo: Shem Roose
The six women in the finals had three chances to put together their best runs. From the start of the finals, Enni rode strong, with a winning run that included a frontside 360 indy grab, a backside 540 indy grab and a Cab 540 mute grab on the kickers. This year’s TTR champion Jamie Anderson kept Enni on her toes throughout the competition. Jamie’s highest scoring run was less than two points behind Enni’s and included a standout switch backside 540 indy grab on the first kicker. Seventeen-year-old rider Silje Norendal (NOR) came in third place and was thrilled to earn a spot on the US Open podium for the first time.
2011 US Open slopestyle womens podium
Photo: Shem Roose
Competition was tight on the men’s side and came down to the second runs. For a few minutes, it looked like Mark McMorris (CAN) might clinch the win with a run that included a Cab double underflip 900 followed by a backside double cork 1080 on the jumps.
2011 US Open slopestyle Mark McMorris
Photo: Shem Roose
Then Eric Willett (USA) dropped in and took over the lead with a winning run that included a frontside 270 boardslide, a backside tailslide 450 out, a Cab underflip 900, tailslide 270 out to a frontside 900 tail grab, and a switch backside double cork 1080 mute grab.
2011 US Open slopestyle mens podium
Photo: Shem Roose
Womens Slopestyle Results
| Place | Bib | Name | Gender | Nation |
| 1 | Rukajärvi, Enni | W | FIN | |
| 2 | Anderson, Jamie | W | USA | |
| 3 | Norendal, Silje | W | NOR | |
| 4 | Buaas, Kjersti Ostgaard | W | NOR | |
| 5 | O´Brien, Spencer | W | CAN | |
| 6 | Karlinski, Jordie | W | USA | |
| 7 | Gotlieb, Shelly | W | NZL | |
| 8 | Torr, Rebecca | W | NZL | |
| 9 | Hollingsworth, Ellery | W | USA | |
| 10 | Van Gils, Charlotte | W | NED |
Mens Slopestyle results
| Place | Bib | Name | Gender | Nation | |
| 1 | Willett, Eric | M | USA | ||
| 2 | McMorris, Mark | M | CAN | ||
| 3 | Guldemond, Chas | M | USA | ||
| 4 | Dubois, Jason | M | CAN | ||
| 5 | Thompson, Jeremy | M | USA | ||
| 6 | Ulsletten, Emil | M | NOR | ||
| 7 | Badertscher, Ulrik | M | NOR | ||
| 8 | Tiller, Sondre Fossum | M | NOR | ||
| 9 | Korpi, Janne | M | FIN | ||
| 10 | Bergrem, Torgeir | M | NOR |
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Stratton
Good snowboarder's resort with ample, diverse terrain to suit all styles and levels. Lots of good local services, but a bit hit and miss!