BC-Riders

THE CANADIAN PRESS

PARK CITY, Utah – Justin Dorey was the top Canadian in the freestyle halfpipe finals on Saturday, just missing the podium with a fourth-place finish.

The Vernon, BC native finished with a score of 87.80, while American Gus Kenworthy came out on top with 95.60. France’s Kevin Rolland (93.00) was second and teammate David Wise (90.40) placed third.

“It’s tough finishing fourth, but I’m actually OK with it today,” said Dorey. “I wanted to get a top-five finish so that I can ensure my spot on the team next year. That was my plan and the goal coming into the event. I can’t be bummed with the result now.

“Gus Kenworthy probably did the best halfpipe run ever done to win the title. I think that says a lot about the day and that the skill level is higher than it’s ever been. I also did one of my best runs ever, so that’s another positive and something to be proud of.”

Calgary’s Noah Bowman finished in seventh place (82.80) and Simon d’Artois of Whistler, BC ended up in 10th (37.80).

Cassie Sharpe was Canada’s lone representative in the six-woman halfpipe finals. The native of Comox, BC finished the day in fifth place with a score of 70.80.

First place went to Japan’s Ayana Onozuka (83.60), second to Germany’s Sabrina Cakmakli (79.80), and Janina Kuzma of New Zealand finished third (74.40).

“My day was pretty good and I think I had some solid training leading up to the finals,” said Sharpe. “It started snowing during my first lap though and that made me mess up my five and turned it into a seven. I had a little fall because of that and broke my thumb. My second lap was OK, but I really put it down on my third run.

“I guess it just wasn’t enough. It was a bit of a hard pill to swallow. We’re on to the next event now.”