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Park City • Maddie Bowman saved her best for last.
The American freeskiing halfpipe star and Westminster College student nailed her third and final run in Friday's Visa U.S. Grand Prix ski halfpipe final at Park City Mountain Resort, earning a 89.80 to top Japan's Ayana Onozuka.
Bowman watched as Onozuka's first run of 88.80 set the pace for the rest of the afternoon, but as the final competitor the 22-year-old from South Lake Tahoe, Calif., again utilized her newly-learned switch-900 trick to lead her to victory.
Just a week ago in Aspen, Colo., the trick helped Bowman win her fourth-straight X Games gold medal in women's halfpipe. The reigning Olympic gold medalist in halfpipe, Bowman underwent knee surgery last February and only recently returned to competition.
France's Marie Martinod finished third behind Bowman and Onozuka. Americans Annalisa Drew and Devin Logan finished fourth and sixth, respectively.
Nineteen-year-old American Aaron Blunck later won the men's ski halfpipe final. A fantastic first run score of 94.20 propelled the Crescent Butte, Colo., native to the victory. Blunck looked on as the final competitor of the afternoon, X Games gold medalist Kevin Rolland of France, fell on his second trick attempt.
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
Visa U.S. Grand Prix ski halfpipe final
Park City Mountain Resort
Women's final:
1. Maddie Bowman, USA, 89.80
2. Ayana Onozuka, JPN, 88.80
3. Marie Martinod, FRA, 84.20
Men's final:
1. Aaron Blunck, USA, 94.20
2. Benoit Valentine, FRA, 92.80
3. Kevin Rolland, FRA, 88.80
Saturday's schedule ยป Snowboard halfpipe finals, noon to 1:30 p.m.