Australian snowboarder Scotty James has won a bronze medal in the halfpipe at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
The Australian team flagbearer finished third in the men’s halfpipe final, with his best run scoring 92.00.
James, 23, was part of what was billed as the greatest halfpipe showdown the Winter Olympics has seen, taking on top-ranked rivals American legend Shaun White and Japan’s Ayumu Hirano in the final.
White claimed gold with a score of 97.75, ahead of Hirano who scored 94.25.
Australian snowboarder Scotty James has won a bronze medal in the halfpipe at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics
The Australian team flagbearer was part of what was billed as the greatest halfpipe showdown the Winter Olympics has seen
He took on American legend Shaun White and Japan’s Ayumu Hirano in the final
James, pictured with girlfriend Ivy Miller, fired up much of the debate by questioning White’s perfect 100 from a World Cup meet last month
Much had been made of the trio heading into the Games with bitter debates about perfect scores, skewed judging and technique versus technicality.
Earlier in qualifying James, who fired up much of the debate by questioning White’s perfect 100 from a World Cup meet last month before bemoaning some of the scores he received, eased into with an 89-point first run.
He turned it on with the second.
Laying on some of his bigger tricks including frontside and backside 1260s, the Victorian raised the bar and took the qualifying lead with a score of 96.75.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist eight-times X Games halfpipe winner White was up to the challenge.
His second run also included back-to-back 1260s and with his amplitude (air) he was able to score a 98.5.
There were no complaints from James.
Laying on some of his bigger tricks including frontside and backside 1260s, the Victorian raised the bar and took the qualifying lead with a score of 96.75
‘Absolutely. I expected to Shaun to come out and put a run down like that. I watched his run – it was a good run – it had good amplitude and was pretty flawless,’ James said after qualifying
‘Absolutely. I expected to Shaun to come out and put a run down like that. I watched his run – it was a good run – it had good amplitude and was pretty flawless,’ James said.
For his part White was glad for the challenge.
‘I would have loved to have skated into finals on my 93 (points) but everybody started putting it down,’ White said.
‘I’m like ‘OK, if we’re going there, we’re going there’.’
James, pictured with girlfriend Ivy Miller, finished third in the halfpipe final
James will take home a bronze medal for his efforts
‘I think it’s great for the sport and it’s great for a guy like me that needs the motivation – I’m excited for tomorrow.’
Impressive Japanese rider Hirano, who relegated James to X Games silver this year and is the only rider to have back-to-back 1440s in his arsenal, scored 95.25 for third.
James later hinted at having something more in the bag for the final but wouldn’t give too much away.
On Tuesday he didn’t use the switch backside double cork 1260, the trick that has caused some consternation because James is the only one who does it and believes he should be scored accordingly.
‘I’ve got a lot more to give. I’ll leave it at that,’ James said.
Also into the final is fellow Australian Kent Callister, who sneaked into the decider in 12th spot with 77 points.
Nate Johnstone failed to make the cut and finished 22nd.
James’ two main rivals finished ahead of him in the final standings