Mark McMorris claimed his second back-to-back US Open Slopestyle title yesterday, hours after Jamie Anderson had won her fourth – a record for a female slope rider.

These were the names that many predicted we’d see on top of the Olympic podium in Sochi – the two riders who more than any other have dominated slopestyle for the past few seasons. But although the result in Vail might look predictable, the manner it was reached was anything but.

Stale Sandbech, who’d qualified through to the final in first, ran McMorris a very close second, with a very similar run that left him just 0.3 of a point behind the Canadian. Max Parrot, who finished third, was also riding insanely well, as was Sebastien Toutant.

Interestingly all the top four finishers all threw cab 12, a 1080 variation and a backside triple 1440 over the kickers, meaning that it was only the rails and the details that separated their scores.

In the end though, McMorris managed to hold on to his narrow lead with a run to spare, allowing him a victory lap with a few stylish methods.

Interestingly all the top four finishers all threw cab 12, a 1080 variation and a backside triple 1440 over the kickers.

Having been blessed with bright blue skies for the semi-final, the riders faced overcast conditions with light snow, making judging the right speed for the course difficult. Several of the women – including eventual second place finisher Spencer O’Brien, struggled with the speed.

But with three runs each, most of the ladies eventually managed to get a clean one down. But while Spencer’s switch back 5, front 7 to back 7 combo was impressive, her rails were no match for Anderson’s. Jamie led from the start and by the end there was a full 7 points separating their best runs.

Isabel Derungs a new face on podiums this season, claimed a well deserved third place for a run that included a monster backside rodeo – one of the most stylish tricks of the day.

The men’s and women’s US Open halfpipe finals kick off later today (at 6.15pm GMT) and we’ll be live-streaming them right here on Whitelines.com.

burton us open 2014 slopestyle results

Women’s Slopestyle Finals Results:
1. Jamie Anderson (USA) 87.55
2. Spencer O’Brien (CAN) 80.00
3. Isabel Derungs (SUI) 71.90
4. Miyabi Onitsuka (JPN) 43.20
5. Ty Walker (USA) 33.95
6. Cheryl Maas (NED) 30.50

Men’s Slopesyle Finals Results:
1. Mark McMorris (CAN) 87.50
2. Stale Sandbech (NOR) 87.20
3. Maxence Parrot (CAN) 84.30
4. Sebastien Toutant (CAN) 83.35
5. Roope Tonteri (FIN) 81.70
6. Darcy Sharpe (CAN) 78.05
7. Tyler Nicholson (CAN) 72.60
8. Emil Ulsletten (NOR) 60.95
9. Brandon Davis (USA) 38.55
10. Kyle Mack (USA) DNS