Mammoth Mountain SB halfpipe preview

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The winner of the past two Mammoth Mountain halfpipe World Cups, Cai already has nine World Cup titles to her name (six in halfpipe, and three overall), along with 13 victories and 28 total podiums in 38 career World Cup starts. And, as her performance a few weeks ago at Copper illustrated, the 28-year-old still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Don’t bet against her making it a three-peat this week in Mammoth.
If Cai is able to win the halfpipe crystal globe this season she will move into sole possession of second on the all-time FIS Snowboard globes list behind only the late, great Karine Ruby (FRA). And, if Cai is able to win the next two World Cup competitions and sweep the 2021/22 season, she’ll move into a tie with Tricia Byrnes (USA) atop the all-time Park & Pipe victories rankings.
As the start list for women’s pipe competition this weekend will tell you, Cai is looking like a clear favourite for the victory on Saturday.
Neither of the U.S. team favourites Chloe Kim or Maddie Mastro are currently slated to drop in this weekend, leaving the host squad’s hopes in the hands of the likes of Zoe Kalapos and Tessa Maud. Queralt Castellet (ESP) is also out, as is Cai’s countrywomen Liu Jaiyu.
However, the Japanese team is on hand, with the likes of Copper runner-up Sena Tomita, Mitsuki Ono and Haruna Matsumoto all more than capable of grabbing a podium spot and challenging Cai’s reign at the top.
Elizabeth Hosking and Brooke d’Hondt of Canada, Berenice Wicki of Switzerland, and Emily Arthur of Australia are a few of the other names to watch out for on the women’s halfpipe side this week.
JAPAN’S BIG THREE WILL BE TOUGH TO BEAT
Over on the men’s side it’s the Japanese team rolling in at the absolute peak of their powers, with a big three that are arguably interchangeable atop the “Best in the World” list depending on the day.
The World Cup season opener was won by Ruka Hirano, who then went on to finish third at the Dew Tour just before Christmas. Third place at the Copper World Cup was reigning World Champion Yuto Totsuka, who then went on to win the Dew Tour.
First place in qualification for both those events was two-time Olympic silver medallist Ayumu Hirano, who would end up in fourth place at Copper Mountain and fifth at Dew Tour. However, his Dew Tour result comes with a big ol’ star beside it, as the 23-year-old there became the first snowboarder ever to land a triple cork in halfpipe competition when he stomped a frontside trip 1440 truck driver.
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