Yater-Wallace Wins Olympic Test Event
BOKWANG PHOENIX PARK, South Korea (Feb. 18, 2017) – The American skiers had an excellent showing at the Olympic halfpipe test event on Saturday, scoring three podium spots. Torin Yater-Wallace (Basalt, CO) led the charge with a win for the men. Aaron Blunck (Crested Butte, CO) was second for the men and Devin Logan (West Dover, VT) was second for the ladies.
Yater-Wallace was the top qualifier coming into the final and also won the most recent World Cup, the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, earlier this month. He rode that momentum into Saturday’s final, edging teammate Blunck with a run that included huge amplitude and technical tricks. “It’s really cool to ski in Korea and see the venue before the Olympics,” Yater-Wallace said. “It feels awesome to be here and I feel very lucky to end up in first place.”
Torin Yater-Wallace skis to the win. (Getty Images-Han Myung-Gu)
The victory also gave Yater-Wallace the lead in the World Cup rankings heading into the final event of the season at Tignes, France March 6-7. Blunck finished just behind Yater-Wallace and Benoit Valentin of France rounded out the podium in third.
It was Logan’s 12th career World Cup podium. Marie Martinod of France took the win and Ayana Onozuka of Japan was third.
Devin Logan took second in the Olympic test event. (Getty Images-Han Myung-Gu)
Other Americans in the final: Annalisa Drew (Andover, MA) was just off the podium in fourth; Brita Sigourney (Carmel, CA) was sixth; Alex Ferreira (Aspen, CO) was seventh; Taylor Seaton (Avon, CO) was 10th.
The FIS World Cup halfpipe tour culminates in Tignes, France March 6-7.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Torin Yater-Wallace won for the men. His run scored 95.60: right double 1260, left 1080 tail, switch right 720 safety, left alley-oop double flatspin 900 Japan.
- Aaron Blunck was second for the men. His run scored 94.40.
- Devin Logan was second for the ladies. Her run scored 86.80.
QUOTES
Torin Yater-Wallace – First Place
It’s really cool to ski in Korea and see the venue before the Olympics; it feels awesome to be here and I feel very lucky to end up in first place.
RESULTS
Men’s Halfpipe
Women’s Halfpipe