Olympic snowboard halfpipe gold medalist Ayumu Hirano of Japan landed a triple cork 1440 to win the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, Colorado.
Hirano, 26, opened his third and last run of Friday’s final with his signature triple cork 1440.
He followed that with another 1440, a frontside 1260, a backside 1260 and a double cork 1080, according to NBC Sports commentator Todd Richards.
Hirano earned 97 points, catapulting him into first place and leading a Japanese podium sweep with Yuto Totsuka (94.75) and Ruka Hirano (92.75).
In December 2021, Hirano became the first snowboarder to land a triple cork in a halfpipe competition. Two months later, he did so to win the Olympics.
Also Friday, 15-year-old Sara Shimizu of Japan won the women’s final with a 90.50-point first run. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim was fourth in her first contest of the season.
Copper Mountain Grand Prix snowboarding highlights air Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m. ET on CNBC and Peacock.
The Grand Prix continues Saturday with ski halfpipe finals featuring Olympic champions Eileen Gu of China and American David Wise. Highlights air Sunday from 4:30-6 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.
