Yuki Kadono, an 18-year-old snowboarder from Japan, landed back-to-back cork 1620s鈥攄ipping off-axis three separate times in the course of four-and-a-half revolutions鈥攄uring his final of three runs in Vail last Friday. He beat out defending slopestyle champion Mark McMorris of Canada in the process.
鈥淚 know there are other riders who are much better than me,鈥 Kadono . 鈥淚 just had it in my mind that I was going to win this week.鈥
In addition to walking away with $45,000 for the victory, Kadono raised the bar in the slopestyle arena.
鈥淵uki did something I thought would never be done,鈥 McMorris said. 鈥淪o props to him.鈥