Perfect bluebird conditions and the rocking music amped the crowd and got competitors’ adrenaline pumping. The Halfpipe was perfectly shaped and in mint condition; said MC Pat Sharples: “The standard of the freestyle this year is of a whole new level.” With a VIP contender of James Woods, fresh from his victory at the European X Games, anticipation was high and the crowd were eager for action.
The girls were first up dropping two runs with the best score counting. And what a performance they put in; throwing ally, mute and nose grabs. But it was seasoned competitor Emma Lonsdale who grabbed gold with her big and stylish switch 3s. Taking second place was Beanie Milne Home, who was going huge out of the pipe, pulling simple but styled tricks. Katie Summerhayes took third place with her seamless 540s.
The boys were up next; ‘laying it down on the line’ as Pat Sharples commented. First place went to James Machon for his seriously huge back to back 9s, spinning both right and left setting the pace for the others. He impressed the judges with an assortment of tricks, pulling flat 5s, Switch 7s and a 7 tail grab. He was also getting the most height out of the pipe going supersonic on his first hit. But it was Murray Buchan who pulled the top trick of the day with an unbelievable twelve on his second run. “Murray lost a lot of speed on his other tricks, otherwise he might of had a chance of taking gold,” commented judge Jamie Cameron. James Woods took third place for his fluent flat 5, switch 5, and huge flair. Tyler Jay Harding, aged just 14, also got big props for his 9s, 7s and flairs. And Peter Speight took in a great performance going massive with technical tricks and consistency.

James Machon said:
“I think today was the highest level at the BRITS in Halfpipe that has ever been and everyone threw down good runs so I'm just happy to take home gold because it’s a repeat for me because I’ve won it for the past three years now. I was feeling confident and relaxed and I just wanted to have fun today so I’m really stoked.”
1st James Machon
2nd Murray Buchan
3rd James Woods

1st Emma Lonsdale
2nd Beanie Milne Home
3rd Katie Summerhayes

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2011 daily webcasts and picture galleries at www.the-brits.com, where you will be able to check out the Snowboard and Freeski action from the previous day’s competition.
British Giro Big Air Championships video
British Giro Big Air Championships recap
British Freeski Trespass Skiercross Championships recap
British Trespass Skiercross Championships video
Protest Slopestyle Championships recap
Protest Slopestyle Championships video
British Freeski Halfpipe Championships recap