The X Games Aspen welcomed a new formula for this year freeski superpipe. No qualifications, athletes were directly invited into the final. Kevin Rolland, his teammate Benoit Valentin and Gus Kenworthy have been majestic yesterday in Aspen, in front of a crowd ready to fully support the riders.
Rolland excellent in the air
Kevin Rolland won his fourth X Games event yesterday. The French rider skied his first two runs inward, putting an incredible amount of pressure on himself for the third and final round. He was the only one staying on the top of the pipe, capable of dislodging Gus Kenworthy from the lead. The skier from La Plagne was able to manage the pressure and put down an impressive run which included a fourth double. Everything was reunited: amplitude, difficulty and mastery.
Gus Kenworthy also looked impressive yesterday. The young american made a huge impression from the first run where he surpassed the mark of 90.00, managing to land 3 massive doubles in his run. He aslo improved his rating during his second run where he managed to maintain a big amplitude on each of his jumps. he then won the silver medal.
Benoit Valentin was looking for his first ever X Games medal here in Aspen. The young man also coming from La Plagne struggled to land his first double on his opening run. It was during his second run where the Frenchman impressed. Ben Valentin conducted a full round, controling every jump with a maximum of amplitude. A run at 90.66 he could not improve his score during his third attempt since he couldn’t hang onto his double 1260. This mark however was enough for him to win his first ever and so expected medal.
Extraordinary Frenchmen
Kevin Rolland won the X Games for the first time in 2010, at age 20. He was then joined by his friend Xavier Bertoni on the podium (3rd). Yesterday, Kevin was again sharing the podium with a friend, Ben Valentin. And this happiness was priceless. At the end of the competition, Kevin Rolland confessed, "this is one of the happiest days of my life."
Ben Valentin was chaising for this medal. All the members of the french team, called the Freeski Project, had a X Games medal, besides him. The frenchman was eager to change that yesterday on the superpipe. And he did it ! He was constantly thinking about this before the competition and then did everything to realize the dream of being an X Games medalist. Sharing this podium with his friend Kevin gives another dimension to his bronze medal as he stated that he was "so happy we both made the podium."
Gregory Guenet, the coach of the Freeski Project, was a happy man yesterday. Both of his riders competiting in the event made it to the podium, which let him shed some tears. Kevin Rolland and Ben Valentin have been dazzling. They have shown a high level skiing and have touched everyone with their humbleness and happiness.