Tue, 02/02/2010 - 4:00pmKilner takes third at World Cup halfpipe in Canada

Topping a blinding weekend for the Brits, Ben Kilner came third at the last Halfpipe World Cup before the 2010 Winter Games

The Scottish rider, who had earned his career’s first podium on Saturday – just like the smiling winner Arthur Longo – said: “I cannot believe it. I tried to do well before the Olympics and now I hope I can do so again.”

Zhifeng Sun (CHN) and Arthur Longo (FRA) took first places in the fifth halfpipe contest of the 2010
LG Snowboard FIS World Cup.

At Canada Olympic Park, right outside of Calgary, Alberta, the Chinese rider successfully competed in the ladies’ final under flood light by earning 43.4 points. World Cup leader Xuetong Cai finished as runner up (42.1) thus securing a back-to-back 1-2 punch for China. Holly Crawford from Australia finished third (40.8).

On the men’s side, Arthur Longo celebrated his first ever World Cup win in his 13th start. By scoring 45.1
points, the Frenchman relegated local hero Justin Lamoureux (CAN, 43.6) to the second rank. Ben Kilner (GBR, 40.3) rounded out the podium as third.

After his career’s first ever victory Arthur Longo was pretty speechless in the finish area. “I don’t know what to say. I have competed in so many contests before and always fell. That I was able to end this series with a win is amazing”, the 21-year-old finally summed up.

In his first ever World Cup final and after a 16th rank as best result so far (Saas-Fee, 2009), the young gun from France put it all together, got rid of all unsteadiness and edged so far leading Canuck Justin Lamoureux off the hot seat.

Due to a “cab 720”, “frontside air”, “backside 900”, “frontside 1080” and a final “switch alley oop backside rodeo 540” Longo also kept his chance of claiming one of the national spots for the up-coming Olympic Games in Vancouver which will decided tonight.

“Maybe I made it with this result.”

Lamoureux misses big chance

One man’s joy is another man’s sorrow: by sticking this run Longo denied Justin Lamoureux the chance to clinch his first win in his 61st World Cup start. And the 2006 Olympian who had placed only once on the podium before (Stoneham 2002) had never been so close to victory.

“Of course I’m a little bit disappointed. But in the end I cannot complain. I got beaten by a better run” the 33-year-old stated.

The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup continues in Sudelfeld, Germany, next week with a Parallel Giant Slalom. On February 6th, the last World Cup competition before the Olympic will be held.
 

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Catch up with some of Ben's hopes for the Olympics in his interview from Document Snowboard Magazine