Kevin Rolland Wins Euro X Games Superpipe

After the recent cancellations of the events at the European Freeskiing Open, the European X Games was next on the list. With one less open event and one big invitation event, that means the points race for the top dogs is even tighter. And in the small mountain town of Tignes Val Claret, under the lights, Kevin Rolland repeated his X Games Aspen performance by taking gold in his home country. And with the big win in France, Kevin moves up to 2nd place in the AFP halfpipe standings.

France’s other son, Xavier Bertoni, took the silver medal in Tignes, yet now sits in 4th, after Kevin entrance to the top three pushed Bertoni down. Taking bronze was Justin Dorey of Canada, who sits in 7th place on the AFP list. Making finals for his first time at an X Games was Mike Riddle — who barely missed out on the podium in 4th place — currently holds the rank of 5th place on AFP.

5th and 6th at European X Games Pipe went to the Wells brothers, Byron and Jossi. Byron, who has been on a tear lately, with a strong showing at Mt. Snow Dew Tour and a podium finish at the Aspen/Snowmass Open, has jumped from 18th place to 12th place on the rankings, with the top 10 in his sights. Jossi, the winner of the Dew Cup this year, still retains that 1st place ranking in the AFP standings, despite Kevin’s two X Games wins. Tucker Perkins and AJ Kemppainen rounded out the finals in Tignes, and both currently sit in 6th and 10th on the AFP list overall.

With only one halfpipe event left this year, the race for the top 3 is tight, with Bertoni only trailing Dumont for that 3rd spot by 90 points. Things will get interesting indeed at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler, this April.

European X Games Superpipe Finals:

1) Kevin Rolland

2) Xavier Bertoni

3) Justin Dorey

4) Mike Riddle

5) Byron Wells

6) Jossi Wells

7) Tucker Perkins

8) AJ Kemppainen