TTR O'Neill Evolution 2011 - Mens Halfpipe Finals

Local Davos hero Christian Haller and American halfpipe star Kelly Clark took top honours at the O'Neill Evolution Halfpipe finals in a spectacular day of snowboarding action.It was a close fought final in the 6Star TTR Men's competition with the top three on the podium -- an all Swiss affair of Christian Haller, Iouri Podladtchikov and Jan Scherrer -- exchanging the lead after each heat. It was Christian however who took the final victory and the $15,000 prize money after his third heat run with a score of 87.45 for a run of a Backside 540 Melon, Frontside 1080 Tail, Cab 1080 Nose and Frontside 900 Mute. "I'm feeling great. I wouldn't have expected it -- honestly!" he said. "I grew up in Davos and I grew up riding this pipe so it makes it even more speical than a normal win," said Christian. "It's also a really good feeling to be on top with two of my best buddies."Last year's winner Iouri Podladtchikov had been leading after his second run of a Cab 720, Frontside Crippler, Backside Double McTwist 1260 and a Frontside 1080 Tail. "I was thinking that I could have made it two wins in two years after landing my trick. But it feels great to have Christian in front of me. Of course it hurts a bit. But it's Christian. If it was someone else I would probably be more pissed right now."The surprise of the day came from the 16 year old Swiss rider Jan Scherrer who finished third after leading at the end of the first heat. "I was so surprised," said Jan who goes to school here in Davos. "It's such a huge result for me!"

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