This was published 9 years ago
Australian snowboarder Scotty James wins halfpipe world title in Austria
KREISCHBERG, AUSTRIA: Australian snowboarder Scotty James won the men's halfpipe world title in Austria on Saturday as two-time Olympic medallist Torah Bright finished sixth in the women's event won by Cai Xuetong of China.
James earned 91.50 points in his first run of the final.
Stoked: Scotty James competes during the men's snowboard halfpipe competition of the FIS Freestyle and Snowboarding World Ski Championships 2015 in Kreischberg, Austria.Credit: AFP
As that score remained unmatched by his competitors, James was already assured of the gold medal before his final run, which he used to exchange high fives with spectators along the pipe.
"It's an amazing day and I am so, so stoked to come away with the win," James said after clinching his first major title.
Aerial artist: Scotty James flies high during the halfpipe final.Credit: Getty Images
"I knew I was in first place before my last run and my coach said, 'Do what you want.' I love it when the fans come out and watch us, so giving them a little high five on the way down was awesome."
The 20-year-old from Melbourne has been competing international since the age of 14.
Zhang Yiwei of China won silver with 89.50, and Tim-Kevin Ravnjak of Slovenia took bronze with 89.25.
Defending world and Olympic champion Iouri Podladtchikov of Switzerland placed fourth in his first event since undergoing ankle surgery seven weeks ago.
Cai won the women's event with 94.25 points ahead of Queralt Castellet of Spain (81.25) and Clemence Grimal of France (80.25).
Bright had qualified third but compiled only 57 points to finish last in the six-woman final, having had limited preparation after taking a break following last February's Olympic Games in Sochi.
Bright won Olympic gold in Vancouver in 2010 and silver in Sochi.
The next medal event of the snowboard and freestyle skiing world championships is the moguls on Sunday.
AP