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Young Guns Reign Supreme In Laax

A sensational Halfpipe final was laid down at the Burton European Open, with current WST Halfpipe champions Iouri Podladtchikov and Kelly Clark being surprisingly beaten by 16-year-old American Arielle Gold and 14-year-old Japanese wunderkind Ayumu Hirano.

The Women's final got proceedings underwayunder challenging weather conditions.

Arielle stole the show, throwing down a Method Air, to Frontside 540 with Stalefish Grab, into a Backside 540 Mute Grab - Frontside 720 Indy Grab, rounding it off with a Cab 900 Mute Grab and leaving leading Kelly Clark in second place.

Kelly attempted to beat Arielle's second run score but fell after her first trick, a Frontside 900.

Ellery Hollingsworth landed her first 6Star podium spot with a third-place finish, very satisfied with this result.

Arielle's response to her win: "I am so stoked, it is my first 6Star title, I didn't expect it. When we started today, the conditions were pretty hard...But I am super satisfied, I can't believe it!"

Ayumu's winning run in the Men's final consisted of a stylish and huge Method Air, into a Frontside 1080 Tail Grab - a Cab 1080 Nose Grab and Double Cork 1080 Double Grab finishing of with a Haakon Flip 720.

Smooth style was certainly a winning factor. Ayumu makes everything look easy and experienced, yet it is only his second season competing on the 6Star events.

"I was very happy with my run today. I had good results at every World Snowboard Tour event this season, and am trying to keep this level - maybe winning the Halfpipe Tour Championship, hopefully," said a content and slightly shy Ayumu.

The Women's World Snowboard Tour Halfpipe Champion will be crowned at the Burton US Open in Vail, Colorado in two weeks, and it will be a tight battle between current leader Kelly Clark and second placed Arielle Gold.