STRATTON MOUNTAIN, VT (March 20) - Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT) threw down for the home crowd Saturday, stomping some massive 9s to take the win in halfpipe at the 2010 Burton US Open at Stratton Mountain.

Clark put down a frontside air, backside five, frontside seven, cab seven, and frontside nine to not only win the competition, but become the winningest woman in Open history.

"I've been coming to the Open for so many years, both as a spectator and competitor, and to come away with a win and to get the record for having the most wins by any woman, that's a pretty huge honor for me," Clark said.

Not only was Clark writing history at the Open, she was trying to break the barriers of normalcy for women's runs in halfpipe.

"I was able to land my first run in finals, which was what I wanted to do and it left some room for me to step it up. I had the opportunity to do that in my next two runs," Clark said. "I was able to try my front 10 on my third run and I just barely sat it down. It was the closest I've been to landing it in a competition. For me having just learned that trick and wanting to put it in a contest run was really cool."

In the end, the hometown girl was happy to win in front of all of her biggest supporters.

"It's so nice being home. I grew up 20 minutes from here. I think my entire family, extended family and dogs were here and everyone had a good time," Clark said. "All of Burton was here supporting me as well, it was a huge hometown crowd and I think all the Vermonters were happy today."

Clark led the way for what was a killer day for the U.S. snowboarding halfpipers with Kaitlyn Farrington (Sun Valley, ID), just off her win at the inaugural European X Games, landing second and Ellery Hollingsworth (Stratton, VT) third.

"It was unexpected today coming into it. I planned to take it mellow because I got hurt practicing. But it just ended up working out for me," Farrington said. "It was sweet to be able to stand next to Kelly because I got to stand next to Torah [Bright; Australia] last week."

As for what's helped the emerging rookie get the big results recently - not being in Vancouver was at the top of her list.

"I hung out in Park City for the month while everyone was at the Olympics. I just rode at Park City, had a good time, and I'm fresh," Farrington said. "I also learned new tricks in Park City, so coming out and doing well these last couple of events is great."

Over on the men's side of the pipe Japan's Kazuhiro Kokubo was the victor, followed closely by birthday boy and Olympian Louie Vito (Sandy, UT) who was second. Switzerland's Iouri Podladtchikov finished third.

Vito landed a frontside doublecork 10, cab doublecork 10, double crippler, back nine, front 12, landing a run he had never been able to before for his second.

"I'm happy. I landed it. It's my birthday and I have a whole bunch of friends and family here," Vito said.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 BURTON US OPEN
Stratton Mountain, VT - March 20, 2010
Halfpipe

Men
1. Kazuhiro Kokubo, Japan, 97.17
2. Louie Vito, Sandy, UT, 96.17
3. Iouri Podladtchikov, Switzerland, 96.00
4. Markus Malin, Finland, 93.83
5. Janne Korpi, Finland, 91.83
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6. Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH, 90.17
10. Ross Powers, Reno, NV, 72.67

Women
1. Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, VT, 94.17
2. Kaitlyn Farrington, Sun Valley, ID, 90.33
3. Ellery Hollingsworth, Stratton, VT, 86.33
4. Hannah Teter, Belmont, VT, 82.50
5. Rana Okada, Japan, 77.00
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6. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 75.00
7. Kelly Marren, Hillsborough, CA, 53.67
8. Maddy Schaffrick, Steamboat Springs, CO, 40.83
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