Wise Takes 2nd in La Plagne HP

Tom Kelly - USSA March 19, 2009

LA PLAGNE, France (March 19) - David Wise (Reno, NV) drew the curtains on the skier halfpipe World Cup season Thursday, taking second for his first career World Cup podium during the last event in La Plagne.

"Today I landed everything just when I needed to and landed everything just right, so I am stoked," Wise said.

Kevin Rolland of France won the men's halfpipe and Nils Lauper of Switzerland was second.

Wise, who finished the season fourth in the World Cup halfpipe standings, was also excited to have his first podium take place under such sweet conditions.

"The pipe was great and the crowd was one of the best I've ever experienced," Wise said.

Wise, who narrowly missed the podium at World Championships as he finished fourth, threw down a cork nine, right side 900, left side 1260, alleyoop, alleyoop flatspin 360, switch 1080 for his finish on the podium in France.

According to the two-time U.S. champion, Thursday's success meant a lot to him after a season of feeling like things weren't coming together.

"It feels really good. I've been skiing really well all year long, but I haven't been pulling a ton of competitions together and landing everything right when the time came," Wise said.

Wise was close to being joined on the podium by fellow U.S. athlete Tyler Peterson (Sandy, UT) who finished fourth.

In the women's competition, Anais Caradeux of France won followed by Virginie Faiver of Switzerland in second and Canadian Rosalind Groenewoud in third. No U.S. women competed.

Now that the World Cup season is over, Wise plans on doing the same things he usually does as he looks ahead to 2010.

"I'm just going to continue what I'm doing for the spring," Wise said. "I'm going to try to put together some good film segments and then train really hard to come back here next year."

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 FIS WORLD CUP
La Plagne, France - March 19, 2009
Skier Halfpipe

Men
1. Kevin Rolland, France, 45.70
2. David Wise, Reno, NV, 45.00
3. Nils Lauper, Switzerland, 40.60
4. Tyler Peterson, Sandy, UT, 39.80
5. Micheal Riddle, Canada, 39.00

Women
1. Anais Caradeux, France, 31.30
2. Virginie Faivre, Switzerland, 31.20
3. Rosalind Groenewoud, Canada, 27.70
4. Margarita Marbler, Austria, 20.20
5. Katia Griffiths, Spain, 18.40
# # #

For complete results click here.