The young guns were the surprise of
the week so far, and 20-years-old Finnish rider Ilkka-Eemeli Laari was the one to take top spot in the
men’s halfpipe semi-finals today. He was the only one who threw down a double-cork in his run, the musthave
trick of this season.

Ilkka-Eemeli Laari had already impressed judges in the halfpipe pre-qualifications which he clearly won.
He continued his way into the semi-finals by placing 3rd in the halfpipe qualifications this morning. In the
afternoon the top seeded invited riders met the qualified riders in the semi-finals and here it was his turn
again. He advanced to the finals placing first with 5 points ahead of 2nd placed Swiss Olympic hopeful
Markus Keller. Ilkka-Emeli started off his winning run with a backside 5 mute, a frontside 12 tailgrab, a
method air, a frontside 10 double cork and finished off with a haakon flip. Norwegian rookie Stale
Sandbech (16-years-old) finished 3rd after placing first in the halfpipe qualifications this morning. Swatch
TTR World Champion 08/09 and Finnish Olympian Peetu Piiroinen barely made it into the finals by
qualifying 16th. Be sure that he will step it up for Saturday’s big show!

The BEO is continuing tomorrow, Friday, with the first big finals – slopestyle finals men & women. Be sure
to expect some thrilling action.

Men’s Halfpipe Semi-Finals Results
1. Laari Ilkka-Eemeli FIN BURTON 92.83
2. Keller Markus SUI NITRO 87.83
3. Sandbech Stale NOR OAKLEY 84.67
4. Haller Christian SUI BURTON 84.33
5. Korpi Janne FIN KISSMARK 82.00
6. Yoshida Masakaze JPN KISSMARK 81.50
7. Simmen Gian SUI ONEILL 80.00
8. Hosokawa Kosuke JPN KISSMARK 78.67
9. Holvik Tore NOR SWEET 78.17
10. Burgener Patrick SUI NITRO 78.00
11. Malin Markus FIN KISSMARK 76.83
12. Mattila Risto FIN DRAKE 75.67
13. Hoffmann Xaver GER NITRO 74.50
14. Koski Markku FIN 32 SNOWBOARD 72.00
15. Podladtchikov Iouri SUI VOLCOM 71.67
16. Piiroinen Peetu FIN BURTON 71.33