Kjersti Buaas (NOR) took her first US Open title at today’s 2008 US Open slopestyle competition under bright bluebird skies at Stratton Mountain Resort, Vermont. Jamie Anderson (USA) and Jenny Jones (GBR) took second and third respectively for the women.

Kjersti was pleasantly surprised by her win: “I’m surprised. I was going to pull out of the competition, but ended up going for it. I tried to stay mellow and mixed it up going for big jumps and small jumps. I feel like I hit my head…that’s how confused I am. I never thought I could win…it’s very cool!”

There was a lot at stake in today’s slopestyle competition, including $20,000, 10,000 BGOS points and 1,000 Swatch TTR points for the top female. The women kicked things off with ice glistening overhead in the trees and a very firm slopestyle course underfoot. With no room for error, most of the girls got off to a cautious start. But not Kjersti Buaas, who won the bronze medal in women’s halfpipe at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. She went all out on her first run, which secured her a US Open championship title for the first time in her career. Kjersti’s run started out with a 50-50 noseslide on the flat down box to a nosepress on the flat box to a frontside 360 stalefish, frontside air, frontside 720 mute ending with a backside 180 Indy. Last year’s US Open women’s slopestyle champion Jamie Anderson took second with a solid run that included a frontside 540 to a Cab 540 to a floaty backside 180. And Jenny Jones, who was brave enough to ride after a painful injury in semi-finals, took a very respectable third place.

After today’s competition, Jenny Jones continues to lead the Burton Global Open Series, but things could change drastically after tomorrow’s US Open halfpipe competition when this year’s champions will be awarded $100,000 each – currently the largest single payout in snowboarding. Jamie Anderson moved up to TTR No. 1 with Jenny Jones right behind her in World No. 2.

On the party and band front, Chicago retro-rap duo The Cool Kids will warm up the cold Vermont night with a free show on the concert stage at Stratton’s main base area from 8:00-9:00 p.m.

Watch LIVE webcasts of the US Open halfpipe finals at Go211.com.

2008 US Open Slopestyle Final Results
Women
1. Kjersti Oestgaard Buass, NOR, 73.17
2. Jamie Anderson, USA, 67.33
3. Jenny Jones, GBR, 61.83
4. Sina Candrian, SUI, 53.33
5. Cheryl Maas, NED, 53.00