Winter Dew Tour: Rolland, Logan win freeski superpipe titles

SNOWBASIN RESORT — Kevin Rolland from France defended his men's freeski superpipe Dew Cup title on Saturday.

Only four points separated Rolland from Torin Yater-Wallace at the beginning of the event, but with a second place finish in the Toyota Championships, Rolland was crowned Dew Cup champion. Rolland needed his entire second run to secure his podium finish after his crash on his first run, narrowly edging out Yater-Wallace.

"I was nervous coming into run two," Rolland said. "Especially after falling and not placing at the X Games, I was nervous. I knew what I needed to do, I just had to trust in myself."

David Wise of Reno, Nev., won the event with a run that featured double-cork combinations scoring him a 94.50.

"It's feels absolutely amazing," Wise said. "Coming off of my win at X Games, I'm riding so consistently. To win under the lights, with the great conditions here at Snowbasin, I couldn't be any happier. Just being able to go out and do something you love is a dream come true."

Wise attempted a Double Cork 1440, which was a first in men's freeski superpipe.

"I never attempt a trick in competition until I have it completely dialed, but my Double Cork 1260's have been so good and I had the extra space at the bottom of the pipe, so I gave it a try."

With the addition of men's freeski superpipe as an Olympic event, Wise sees the sport moving forward.

"I like the progression," Wise said. "Not only now are you just judged on mere style, but also on how technical you are in your run. Clean skiing is a must, but you still need to wow the judges. I can't wait for my opportunity to attempt to represent the United States in the Olympics."

Fan favorite Yater-Wallace brought the crowd to its feet as he finished off his first run landing his final trick with only one ski after it fell of mid-flight.

For the first time in Winter Dew Tour history, the contest included women's freeski superpipe. Saturday's competition was dedicated to the memory of Sarah Burke, who passed away from injuries sustained while training for upcoming superpipe competitions. "Believe in Sarah" stickers adorned helmets of numerous riders, including Rosalind Groenewald, including Winter X Games superpipe gold medalist and fellow Canadian teammate of Sarah.

"It's a honor for me to ski for Sarah and do what I love," Groenewald said. "Sarah was who we all strived to be. This was for her."

Devin Logan won the event with a score of 90.00. She was also the overall women's freeski superpipe Dew Cup Champion.

"I feel so amazing but so tired," Logan said. "To ride consistently all day against great competition and to come out with a win in the first ever women's superpipe, there are no words to describe how I feel."