The Norwegian Championships took place last week confirming, once again, an extraordinary snowboard action. Silje Norendal (17), after an amazing season and her international breakthrough, ended the season with two golds, two silver medals and the King`s Cup at the Norwegian Championships.
The halfpipe championships were held March 27 in Oslo Winterpark, which also will be the arena for the World Snowboarding Championships in 2012. Shaper Claes Högstrøm had made a perfect pipe, suitable for both the juniors and older riders. About 70 riders, aged from 12 to 37, showed up and the level was very good. We saw several 9`s and 10`s and an overall good level in all the age groups.
Silje Norendal (17) from Kongsberg rode consistently all day and took the win in Womens Open. Maria Helen Jones placed second before Martina Nicole Næss in third.
Roger Kleivdal (24) from Geilo took gold in the Men`s Open with his run consisting of a frontside 720, cab 720, frontside 900 and a backside 900. Ståle Sandbech (17) placed second before Fredrik Austbø in third place.
After almost a week of great riding it was time for the grand finale – the slopestyle finals. The spectators witnessed a slopestyle finals with an international level of riding. Per Iver Grimsrud took his first Norwegian Championship gold with a run consisting of cab 900, 50-50 back 360, frontside 720, frontboard 270 and finishing with a backside 1080. Emil Andre Ulsletten took silver and Ulrik Badertscher bronze in the finals of Men`s Open.
Dina Treland won the finals of Women`s Open, and there were only five small points between her and silver medalist Silje Norendal. Marte Søderlund have impressed the judges all week, and she took bronze. Dina also won the Norwegian Cup together with Roger Kleivdal. Silje Norendal and Per Iver Grimsrud could also take home the King`s Cup for their achievements at The Norwegian Championships 2011.