White became the first rider in the 10-year history of the Grand Prix to win every halfpipe contest of the season, while Bleiler took four out of five with Hannah Teter upsetting the sweep at the opening event in Breckenridge. In addition, they both won a new Chevrolet Colorado truck as the overall champions of the tour.

White needed just his first run to pick up the victory as he earned a score of 45.5.

“This whole tour, I’ve been doing a pretty good first run and I didn’t need the second run,” said White. “The pipe was kind of intimidating today. It was kind of icy, but it got way better (later on).

White’s run spun a few heads on the pipe deck, not a shock considering all of the spinning he did. He started off his run with a lofty indy and went into a corked backside 900 to a frontside 1080 to a Cab 1080 into a frontside 900 before finishing with a McTwist.

“I just want to get better and better and I’ve been working on some new stuff,” said White.

One of the most stylish, skate-influenced riders in the world, White got in some cross training while at Mountain Creek.

“I ollied over a rock outside of the condo,” he claimed.

It was Andy Finch’s best placing of the year. His run featured a backside crail, a frontside 1080, a Cab 720, a frontside 900, and a Michaelchuk.

“I started the season pretty much not even thinking of the Olympics,” said Finch, originally from Fresno, California and now residing in Truckee, California. “I started pushing myself at Breckenridge (in December) and it took that event to realize that I needed to get my game on.”

For Fisher, it was his first Grand Prix podium of the season.

Bleiler dropped in to a crippler, then a backside 540, a frontside 900, a method, and a frontside 540.

“Today I feel like I rode my absolute best,” said Bleiler. “It’s the first time all year I’ve thrown a nine on my third hit. I’m also working on a Michaelchuk.”

Clark, the 2002 Olympic gold medal winner in pipe, stomped everything including a frontside 720 and backside and frontside 540s.

“The pipe was the best it’s been yet and I rode the best I’ve ridden all season,” said Clark. “My backside fives have been giving me problems all year but I was able to put it together. I kept it clean and maintained my style and it all came together.”

The event was originally scheduled for Saturday, but high winds forced a postponement.

“The rescheduling threw us all off,” said U.S. Snowboarding halfpipe coach Bud Keene. “Everyone was a bit groggy this morning, but the riding was unbelievable. Gretchen rode as well as I’ve seen all year, throwing with grace and precision. This Grand Prix season has really pushed every U.S. rider. It’s absolutely been the best riding I’ve seen in any contest.”

CHEVROLET U.S. SNOWBOARD GRAND PRIX
Mountain Creek, N.J. - Jan. 22, 2006
Halfpipe Finals #2
MEN
1. Shaun White, Carlsbad, Calif., 45.5
2. Andy Finch, Truckee, Calif., 43.3
3. Steve Fisher, Breckenridge, Colo., 41.2
4. Tommy Czeschin, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., 40.4
5. Keir Dillon, Carlsbad, Calif., 40.1
-
WOMEN
1. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, Colo., 44.3
2. Kelly Clark, Mount Snow, Vt., 41.9
3. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, Calif., 39.8
4. Molly Aguirre, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., 38.2
5. Tricia Brynes, Stratton Mtn., Vt., 38.0