Hudak Third at World Championships

Tom Kelly/ USSA March 05, 2009

INAWASHIRO, Japan (March 5) - Jen Hudak (Park City, UT) led the U.S. in skier halfpipe at the 2009 FIS Freestyle World Championships Thursday, finishing with the bronze for women in Japan. David Wise (Reno, NV) was fourth for the top U.S. men's result.

"It's really exciting to finally have a Worlds medal and to be able to come and finally compete at a World Championships," Hudak said. "I definitely wanted to come out and take home the gold, but I'm always happy with a podium."

Switzerland's Virginia Faivre won the women's competition, followed by Megan Gunning of Canada in second.

Hudak threw a 5 mute grab, straight air safety grab, five, alleyoop 540, 720 to get her bronze medal.

"My final run I was pretty satisfied with," Hudak said. "I had a little trouble with this pipe, so I was happy to put a run together, and to have it land me on the podium was even better."

According to Hudak, she hopes her win brings some awareness to the sport she is trying to push in new directions.

"Hopefully we'll keep moving forward with halfpipe and people will see that it's a superb event and definitely of Olympic caliber," Hudak said.

In the men's competition, Wise led the way for two other U.S. athletes to finish within the top 10, with Taylor Seaton (Avon, CO) in fifth and Walter Wood (Evergreen, CO) in ninth.

Kevin Rolland of France won the men's halfpipe gold followed by Canadian Justin Dorey in second.

The 2009 FIS Freestyle Ski World Championships continue Saturday with men's and women 's moguls.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 FIS FREESTYLE SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Inawashiro, Japan - March 5, 2009
Skier Halfpipe

Men
1. Kevin Rolland, France, 45.5
2. Justin Dorey, Canada, 45.3
3. Xavier Bertoni, France, 43.5
4. David Wise, Reno, NV, 43.5
5. Taylor Seaton, Avon, CO, 43.4
-
9. Walter Wood, Evergreen, CO, 39.1
15. Evan Schwartz, Weston, CT, 36.7

Women
1. Virginie Faivre, Switzerland, 40.4
2. Megan Gunning, Canada, 40.2
3. Jen Hudak, Park City, UT, 38.4
4. Jessica Cumming, Wilton, CT, 35.4
5. Anais Caradeux, France, 33.6
-
6. Siena Palmacci, Park City, UT, 32.8
# # #