2010 U.S.A. Olympic Team Announced

   This last weekend marked the final Grand Prix to determine who was going to the Olympics for men's and women's Half Pipe. The battles were fierce but in the end it played out much the same was it has throughout the Grand Prix series. Shaun White stomped unstoppable runs, Scotty Lago boosted huge methods and landed clean runs to finish in the second spot, and the duels of Luke Mitrani, JJ Thomas, and Gregory Bretz heated up for the third spot. In the end the three men's spots were already secured to Shaun White, Scotty Lago, and Louie Vito going into the final day Saturday night, and the battle for the fourth and final spot was where the action really was. That announcement should come later on today since Luke Mitrani, JJ Thomas, and Gregory Bretz are all locked in a three way tie, and the Olympic coaches need to select the best option.

   On the women's side the team will look as it has with returning 2002 Gold Medalist Kelly Clark capturing the top spot, returning 2006 Silver Medalist Gretchen Bleile, and 2006 Gold Medalist Hannah Teter securing the third spot. The women's fourth spot should also be determined later today along with the men.



Final Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix Standings
Average of best two results (ties broken)
Men
1. Shaun White, Carlsbad, CA, 1000
2. Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH, 800
3. Louie Vito, Sandy, UT, 800
4. Danny Davis, Detroit, MI, 645
5. Greg Bretz, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 550
6. JJ Thomas, Golden, CO, 550
7. Luke Mitrani, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 550
8. Zack Black, Breckenridge, CO, 525
9. Elijah Teter, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 475
10. Steve Fisher, Breckenridge, CO, 400
Women
1. Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, VT, 1000
2. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO, 900
3. Hannah Teter, Belmont, VT, 800
4. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 650
5. Ellery Hollingsworth, Stratton, VT, 600
6. Kaitlyn Farrington, Sun Valley, ID, 500
7. Maddy Schaffrick, Steamboat Springs, CO, 500
8. Clair Bidez, Minturn, CO, 425
9. Kelly Marren, Hillsborough, CA, 320