Photo: The Canadian Press

O'Brien Defends World Title

Friday proved to be a big day for Canadians at the Snowboard World Championships in Stoneham, QC as Spencer O’Brien of Vancouver, BC was crowned champion in the women’s slopestyle and Regina’s Mark McMorris claimed second place for the men.

O’Brien, the reigning world champion, became the first Canadian female snowboarder to win a world title on home soil, after scoring an impressive 93.25 in her opening run in the finals. The only Canadian in the finals, O’Brien blew away the rest of the competition with Switzerland’s Sina Candrian finishing well behind in second at 81.50 and Australia’s Torah Bright finishing in third at 77.50.

On the men’s side, Roope Tonteri of Finland finished in first with a score of 93.75 to just edge out McMorris’ score of 92.50. Finland’s Janne Korpi rounded out the podium in third at 90.75.