Burton US Open kicks off with gold medalist Anderson taking top slopestyle spot

South Lake Tahoe’s Jamie Anderson proved why she’s an Olympic gold medalist Wednesday as the the 32^nd annual Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships presented by MINI kicked off with men’s and women’s slopestyle semi-finals on an idyllic bluebird Colorado day at Vail Mountain.

The gold medalist in slopestyle at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics last month, Anderson and 2014 men’s slopestyle silver medalist Stale Sandbech (NOR) were the top qualifiers in Wednesday’s semi-finals and will go for the Burton US Open slopestyle title, along with 14 other riders, in Friday’s final.

Riders had two runs to win their spot for Friday’s final and Anderson made the most of her second run with a gap to backside boardslide, 50-50 to 50-50, and 50-50 to frontside boardslide to fakie on the upper rail section, a Cab 540 indy, frontside 720 mute grab, and backside 540 indy on the three jumps, scoring an 86.80.

“The conditions were awesome today,” said Anderson. “The sun came out and the course was really fun. I’m happy I got a good score.”

Isabel Derungs (SUI) took second for the women and Spencer O’Brien (CAN) finished third. Out of the 16 women in Wednesday’s event, the top six moved on to Friday’s final, which starts at 10 a.m.

After the women’s semi-finals 32 men hit the slopestyle course, but only 10 advanced, with Sandbech holding the top spot. Sanbech’s first run included a frontside lipslide to backside lipslide, 50-50 to frontside 360 out, and 50-50 to frontside boardslide to fakie on the upper rail section, and a Cab 1260, frontside 1080 to backside triple cork 1440, scoring an 87.05 and holding throughout the semis.

“Today was a really good day for me,” said Sandbech. “The weather was great and it just makes you warm and loose. It’s easier to try big tricks when it’s not icy.”

Behind Sandbech was Brandon Davis (USA) and Roope Tonteri (FIN) in third. The top 10 of 32 men advanced to finals, and will go for the 2014 Burton US Open slopestyle title, starting at 2 p.m. Friday.

Women’s Slopestyle Semi-Final Results:

1. Jamie Anderson (USA), BILLABONG, 86.80

2. Isabel Derungs (SUI), RIDE, 78.45

3. Spencer O’Brien (CAN), NIKE, 78.25

4. Miyabi Onitsuka (JPN), BURTON, 77.25

5. Ty Walker (USA), RED BULL, 74.15

6. Cheryl Maas (NED), VOLCOM, 70.80

Men’s Slopesyle Semi-Final Results:

1. Stale Sandbech (NOR), OAKLEY, 87.05

2. Brandon Davis (USA), NEFF, 81.30

3. Roope Tonteri (FIN), BURTON, 80.85

4. Kyle Mack (USA), BURTON, 77.05

5. Tyler Nicholson (CAN), LIB TECH, 76.25

6. Sebastien Toutant (CAN), ONEILL, 75.70

7. Darcy Sharpe (CAN), MONSTER ENERGY, 74.85

8. Maxence Parrot (CAN), ONEILL, 74.30

9. Mark McMorris (CAN), BURTON,73.85

10. Emil Ulsletten (NOR), NITRO, 72.05

Today, don’t miss day two of the Burton US Open with halfpipe semi-finals beginning at 10 a.m., with live coverage on Burton.com/USO. Starting Friday, tune in to watch live coverage from Vail Mountain on FOX Sports 2, plus additional airings, run replays, full webcasts, broadcast schedules and more on www.Burton.com/USO.

For anyone who missed the live webcast, highlights of winning runs, full webcast replays, contest recaps and more are here. Also check your local listings to watch the US Open Lifestyle show, and Men’s and Women’s Slopestyle and Halfpipe highlight shows on FOX Sports 2.

Follow all Burton US Open happenings at facebook.com/burtonsnowboards, @burtonsnowboard on Twitter and Instagram, and the hashtag #BurtonUSOpen.