JAMIE ANDERSON – THE CALIFORNIAN HIPPY

This was the one event where we could’ve comfortably predicted the winner; Jamie Anderson has dominated slopestyle since 2007 when she won her first Winter X Games gold medal and after her display at in the semis there was no real doubt that she could do it in Sochi.

Watching her step up to the huge Russian course was a demonstration of how women’s snowboarding can step it up to the boys when given the chance. Our editor reckons she has the best switch back 5 in snowboarding, and after we saw her corking it out on Sunday we’d have to agree. With the possible exception of Torah Bright she was the one woman rider who looked in charge of the course features and fully deserved the win.

Finally she has the medal she can hold up to Peter Line, and even though she’s been a loyal Gnu-er for years now she’s savvy enough to take advantage of her new-found fame; expect to see more of the Tahoe yogi soon…

What did it for the world: The Jamie Anderson signature perma-smile, who couldn’t love it?

What did it for us: The corked switch backside 5 off the second booter. Go watch it!