White shows why he is No. 1
THERE were no perfect scores and no arguments about judging as the world’s greatest snowboarder and his young contemporary left Scotty James with a half- pipe bronze medal at the Winter Olympics.
American Shaun White claimed his third Olympic gold as Japan’s Ayumu Hirano edged into second in what was billed as the greatest head- tohead contest of these Games. And it didn’t disappoint. James got his medal with his first run of 92 points but ultimately couldn’t match the silky skills of White who snatched gold with his last effort of 97.75. Hirano, who led with his 95.25 in the second of three rounds, slotted between the two.
“I came out expecting a really good fight and that’s exactly what it was,” said James, who dragged his hand on his second run then fell attempting a 1080 on his final hit.
“You only get one time every four years to do so in front of your country and that’s what I did so I am absolutely grateful for that.
“It has been an absolute whirlwind season and I’ve had some really good fights and some ups and downs and it has all been boiling to this point.”
Relative to the - 20C temperatures experienced in the lead- up it certainly was hot at Bokwang Phoenix Park as riders negotiated a noticeably softer pipe in positive temperatures.
Many struggled with the timing of their tricks yesterday, Japan’s Yuto Totsuka feeling it most brutally after crashing heavily on the half- pipe coping and being taken from the course in a sled.
Before the final, much of the preamble had centred on judging controversies, with James outspoken in his belief White shouldn’t have received a perfect 100 in a World Cup competition last month.
James was also adamant his switch backside 1260 – arguably the most technical trick and one only he throws down - was being underscored.
Yet there could be no arguments yesterday.
Fellow Australian Kent Callister was 10th.