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Aspen's Bleiler Takes Gold in Women's Snowboard SuperPipe

Aspen, Colo. - Gretchen Bleiler and Kelly Clark put on a show that many of the one-day record crowd of 34,500 will not soon forget.

The two Olympians battled through all three rounds, but Bleiler's second round score of 96.66 edged Clark's third round score of 96.00.

"This feels amazing, I am about to cry," an emotional Bleiler said.  "This means the world to me and provides a bunch of momentum heading into Vancouver."

Bleiler's winning run included a front side 900 to a backside 540, a Crippler 720 into a Cab 720, ending with a double-grab 540.

The win was a bit of redemption for Bleiler, whose second round fall in last year's competition forced her to withdraw. But this year she was back on the medal stand and happy to share her win with the hometown crowd.

"This means everything and I couldn't have done it without you guys Aspen," Bleiler exclaimed.

Clark said that her silver medal was a great launching point for the rest of the season.

"I am happy with my place," Clark said.  "I landed everything I wanted to and it is great momentum heading into Vancouver."

Fellow Team USA Olympian Hannah Teter received the bronze medal with a score of 70.00.

The Snowboard SuperPipe competition is arguably one of the most exciting competitions in the world.  The 567-foot long, 22-foot deep "U-shaped" SuperPipe is 66 feet from lip-to-lip with a pitch of 18 degrees.  This world-class pipe allows for maximum amplitude and speed, giving the riders space to perfect progressive tricks, like the double cork.

For Winter X Games media information, including press releases, logos and additional images from past events, log on to www.espneventmedia.com. To view medalist runs, visit the Winter X Games You Tube Channel - http://www.youtube.com/xgames and follow the X Games on Twitter at Twitter.com/espnxgames

WINTER X GAMES 14

The 14th annual winter action sports competition will feature more than 250 men and women from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in the following sports: Skiing, Snowboard and Snowmobile. The event includes day and evening competitions and is free to the public. This will be the ninth consecutive Winter X Games that Buttermilk Mountain at Aspen/Snowmass has hosted.

ESPN and ESPN2 will televise 24 ½ hours of LIVE high-definition programming Jan. 28-Jan 31. ESPN2 will present daily late-night highlight programs in HD from Jan. 28-Jan. 31, resulting in eight additional hours of HD programming for Winter X Games 14. Additionally, the Winter X Games will also be televised on ESPN's International networks to 172 countries and territories in Latin America, the Pacific Rim, Middle East, Africa, Israel and Canada.

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