Shaun WhiteThe road to the Olympics continues this week as the top halfpipe riders in the world have converged on Mammoth Mountain, CA. This is stop 2 of the US Snowboarding Grand Prix and actually involves two separate Olympic halfpipe qualification competitions.

It began Tuesday with the first qualifiers and continues with finals on Wednesday, then another qualifier on Friday with the finals for that completion on Saturday. If that wasn't enough, there is also a slopestyle competition that will have qualifiers on Thursday and finals on Sunday.

Louie Vito

Competition on Tues. was fierce with everybody bringing their A-game, even for the qualifiers.

Danny Davis

Scotty Lago started off heat 1 by placing the score to beat with 900s, 1080s, and handful of other large, smooth tricks. He held the top spot for a while, until the likes of Louie Vito and Shaun White entered the pipe. Louie stamped out his lead with the cab double cork. Scotty LagoThen it was announced, it's time for the most famous snowboarder in the world. The anticipation and excitement could be felt in the air. The DJ blew some horns, blasted the music, and Shaun White dropped in, stomping back-to-back double corks and securing his spot in the finals.

Greg BretzHeat 2 saw heavy hitters like Danny Davis staking a claim for the finals. The diverse runs of Elijah Teter also earned him a spot for Wednesday's finals. It was young gun Greg Bretz, however, that took the top spot in heat 2 with a front 1080, cab 1080, double cork 1080 combo.

Gretchen BleilerOn the girls side, the usual suspects were dominating the field. Kelly Clark, Hannah Teter and Gretchen Bleiler all showed their experience with big straight airs and combos involving 540s and 720s. Up and comer Ellery Hollingsworth also had some good runs and she rounded out the top 4.

Stay tuned for daily updates and results from the Mammoth Grand Prix.

Words and Photos: Kevin Westenbarger

Results from Tuesday's qualifier:

Men
1. Shaun White, Carlsbad, CA, 47.10
2. Greg Bretz, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 45.90
3. Jeff Batchelor, Canada, 43.80
4. Louie Vito, Sandy, UT, 43.40
5. Danny Davis, Detroit, MI, 43.30
6. Elijah Teter, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 43.00
7. Broc Waring, Edwards, CO, 42.20
8. Justin Lameroux, Canada, 41.30
9. JJ Thomas, Golden, CO, 41.20
10. Jack Mitrani, Mammoth, CA, 40.70
11. Steve Fisher, Breckenridge, CO, 39.70
12. Matt Ladley, Steamboat Springs, CO, 39.70
13. Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH, 39.60
14. Brennen Swanson, Stillwater, MN, 39.00
15. Andy Finch, Truckee, CA, 39.00
16. Mathieu Crepel, France, 38.90

Women
1. Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, VT, 46.50
2. Hannah Teter, Belmont, VT, 43.90
3. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO, 43.10
4. Ellery Hollingsworth, Stratton, VT, 42.40
5. Maddy Schaffrick, Steamboat Springs, CO, 41.90
6. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 40.50
7. Clair Bidez, Minturn, CO, 39.90
8. Holly Crawford, Australia, 39.00