It was history in the shaping at the X Games on Saturday as the snowboard superpipe finals produced more than just medals. Gold, Silver and Bronze was won, but the podium was just half of the story! There was the youngest medallist in X Games history, most X Games medals ever won and a retirement, all in a nights shred. We could hardly keep up! But don’t worry we did, so here’s the top 5 historical happenings…
words by Hannah Bailey
1) Kelly Clark becomes the ‘most decorated female athlete in X Games history’.
When we met her back in 2012, at the World Snowboard Championships, she had won 15 titles in a row, so it’s no surprise to hear of her X Games medal tally. She is the most competitively consistent female snowboarder of all time! Adding a 12th X Games medal to her cabinet after Saturdays final, she won it on her first run which consisted of a 1080, followed by a 720, followed by a 900. Yup, pretty good…
2) Chloe Kim becomes the youngest X Games medallist in history!
Despite Kelly Clark deciding not to play it safe for her final two runs, going for the cab 1080 (and not quite landing), only one point stood between her and silver medalist Chloe Kim. At only 13 years old she claimed not only a medal but the title of youngest X Games medallist EVER! Too young to ride in this years Olympics, she is one to watch for future games.
3) Pipe veteran, Gretchen Bleiler announces retirement.
In other news, a name we are oh so familiar with when it comes to pipe, Gretchen Bleiler announced her retirement from snowboarding at Saturday’s games. Taking 6th spot, it was her final X Games and therefore a teary goodbye. Is it time for the new kids on the block, such as Chloe to take over?
4) The obvious progression of women’s pipe riding.
Although there was no NBD’s or new tricks landed on finals day, overall the ladies were going bigger and more technical than ever! With Kelly Clark throwing a 1080 and attempting the cab 1080 and Chloe Kim landing a 900 and a 720 truck driver. Check out Kelly’s winning run above for evidence.
5) The biggest crowd in attendance on a single day at the X Games.
Saturdays event saw 48,000 people come to spectate the shred. An X Games record! Lucky for the crowd the riders were boosting high for all to see.
