http://mpora.com/videos/UERF6fvjL Eero Ettala has taken his first ever X-Games medal, winning gold in the slopestyle at Aspen over the weekend. The easy-going Finn, who we interviewed for our December issue, threw down an incredible run over the kickers, to claim first place ahead of Eric Willet and Chas Guldemond.
All eight riders who made the final set out to give the course a serious hammering, with both Torstein Horgmo and Mikkel Bang whipping out steezy-as-hell switch backside 12s in their runs. Haldor Helgason, the young Icelandic ripper whose riding has made such a splash this season, attempted back-to-back doble cork tens over the kickers, although he unfortunately failed to land both of them.
But in the end it was this first run from Eero that claimed the gold. Backside late-corked ten, a double backside rodeo nine and a switch double backflip in quick succession – not too bad eh? Or as the American commentator says… boooo-yah… ka sha. Ahem.