Intro:

Russian-born Swiss boarder Iouri Podladtchikov won the half-pipe event at snowboarding's European Open in Laax, Switzerland on Saturday (3rd March). The 23-year-old world champion benefited from a final-run crash by Japan's number one-ranked Ryo Aono to finish top of the pile with 88.90 points, well clear of Danny Davis of the United States with 83.75 and Aono (83.08).

Script:

At the completion of the semi-finals, Finland's Markus Malin led ahead of Swiss world champion
Iouri Podladtchikov, number one-ranked Ryo Aono of Japan and Danny Davis of the United States.
Malin faded in the finals, but Davis put in a brilliant run, good enough for second place in the end.

The fight for first place boiled down to a shootout between Podladtchikov and Aono, with the
Japanese Winter X-Games bronze medallist having to produce something special in his final run to overtake the home favourite.

All was going well, but in attempting a 'frontside 1260', Aono made a mess of the landing and his chances evaporated.

Podladtchikov celebrated, knowing his final run would be a formality.

The 23-year-old boarder nicknamed 'i-pod' AND ak47 cruised through a modest routine, concentrating on style rather than difficulty.

A 'frontside surf-slash', followed by a 'backside surf-slash' completed the run and Podladtchikov was soon confirmed as the winner with 88.90 points.

Davis took second place, with Aono dropping down to third, ahead of Christian Haller of Switzerland and Mallin following his crash.