February 25 marks the beginning of an historic event: the first appearance of the Burton US Open Snowboarding event in its brand new venue of Vail, CO. The Burton US Open, named after the spearheading snowboarding legend, Jake Burton, announced in July that it will move from its longtime home in Stratton Mountain to Vail for its 31st anniversary. The world’s greatest snowboarding event happens February 25-March 2, and is considered to be the quintessential title in snowboarding competition. Vail has been diligently working on preparations for the event; after 11 days and 220 hours of snow cat work, Vail opened the 660 foot long, 22 foot high super pipe, considered to be the longest super pipe in America. Lots of local grommets, snowboarders and free riders have been playing in this new incredible feature at Gold Peak, which will serve as the headlining venue for the upcoming US Open.
The event will bring over 100 of the world’s best snowboarders to Vail for the multiday event. This is by far the best, most intensive competition in the snowboarding world, and the list of invited athletes includes the most celebrated names in the sport. In order to qualify for the US Open, riders will compete in a Qualifying round in Seven Springs, PA February 1-3, 2013; the top 10 men and top 5 women from the Qualifiers will advance to the Championships in Vail (the semi-final and final rounds will take place here). This is a new format this year to split the US Open into two events (Quaifier and Championships), and makes the Vail event even more special as riders will have either qualified in PA or have been invited directly to compete at the Vail Championships.
Those invited athletes are an assortment of the top FIS points athletes in each discipline (Superpipe and Slopestyle), several Wildcards per discipline, the top Qualifiers from Seven Springs and the top 2 boys and 1 girl from Burton European Open Junior Events. The field sizes will be 42 men and 21 women in the semifinals, and 12 men and 6 women in the finals.
On the invite list for the US Open are some of the biggest headlining celebrity athletes in the sport. In Men’s Slopestyle, don’t miss Mark McMorris, who just snatched up the Gold at the 2013 Winter X Games Slopestyle in Aspen. Also look for the 3 standout Scandinavians Sven Thorgren, Janne Korpi and Roope Tonteri, who placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Slopestyle in January’s 2013 FIS Snowboarding World Championships. In Women’s Slope, 2013 FIS World Champions Spencer O’Brien of Canada and Sina Candrian of Switzerland will take the stage in the Vail US Open event.
The roster for the Superpipe event is dazzling with celebrity snowboarding superstars on both the women’s and men’s sides. Women competitors Hannah Teter, Gretchen Bleiler, Kelly Clarkand Torah Bright will all take the stage in the Super pipe at the US Open. These 4 women have brought women’s snowboarding to the iconic level of the men, with clothing lines and sponsor spokesperson roles that have made them marketing moguls as well snowboard legends. Joining them is rising star Elena Hight, whose Backside 900 (she is the first athlete, man or woman, to ever land it in competition) secured her a Silver Medal in the January 26, 2013 X Games Superpipe Final.
In men’s Superpipe, legends Shaun White, Scotty Lago, Markus Malin, Louis Vito and many more big name athtetes will compete for one of the biggest titles in Snowboarding Superpipe.
SCHEDULE
Monday, Feb 25th: Practice – SS/HP, Rider Welcome Dinner
Tuesday, Feb 26th: Practice – SS/HP
Wednesday, Feb 27th: Slopestyle Semi Finals
Thursday, Feb 28th: Halfpipe Semi Finals
Friday, March 1st: Slopestyle Finals, Concert at Solaris
Saturday, March 2nd: Halfpipe Finals, Concert at Solaris
There will be a hospitality tent on site for the riders, and several exhibitions around Vail Village and Gold Peak for spectators to enjoy while watching the various practices and competitions. Free concerts will top off the weekend on Friday March 1 and Saturday March 2, with headlining artists to be announced closer to the event. This is an historic moment for Vail and Burton US Open to start what they hope to be a long lasting tradition here at Vail! For up to date schedules and information visit www.burton.com.
Simba Run is Vail’s Official Headquarters for Family Fun! Check out our lodging specials To make your Vail, Colorado hotels and lodging reservations and get your third night free, please call Michele today at 800-746-2278.
