Two-time Olympic medalist took first in the halfpipe competition at the this weekend, securing the top spot in a new system of rankings on the . Clark’s victory is her tenth consecutive tour win and makes her the top women’s halfpipe rider in standings that now evaluate athletes in each of snowboarding’s disciplines. Clark landed a Frontside 720, Cab 720, Backside 540 and Frontside Cork 900 in her winning run. American Hannah Teter finished second, and Castellet Queralt, of Spain, was third. Japan’s Ryo Aono won the men’s halfpipe with American Louie Vito second and Swiss rider Iouri Podladtchikov third. The New Zealand Open was the first Ticket To Ride World Snowboard Tour event of the 2011-2012 season. The tour is a season-long collection of independent freestyle snowboard events in which riders earn points toward overall rankings. This year’s standings were updated to in a nod to snowboarding’s increasing specialization. Categories now include slopestyle, halfpipe, and men’s big air.
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