It was a North American clean sweep at the first 6-star TTR event of the new year, as Canada’s Mark McMorris and the USA’s Spencer O’Brien took the top spots at the O’Neill Evolution 2012.
There may not have been much separating the frontside 720s from Spencer and runner-up Sina Candrian, but the eventual winner’s decision to gap the double-kinked rail with a frontside boardslide was what swung it. Austria’s Anna Gasser took third with a backside 5 that started well but got flappy towards the end.
In the men’s field, a mere 0.3 points was all that separated Mark from Eric Willett. The Canadian’s backside double cork 1260 was heftier than Eric’s switch version and, like Spencer, he edged further ahead with a techier choice on the rail section. Despite stomping a cab 1440, Belgium’s Seppe Smits could only manage third place.
An honourable mention must go out to the UK’s Jamie Nicholls, who finished in 8th place overall. An impressive result by anyone’s standards – congrats Jamie!
Video highlights will be up soon – stay tuned.
