Kreischberg, Austria (Friday, January 23, 2004) - Current Big Air World Champion Risto Matilla of Finland landed the first World Cup halfpipe victory of his career Friday night with a 40.7 point run on the 2003 World Championship pipe. The win boosted Mattila, the current World Cup leader in Big Air, to the top of the halfpipe standings and bumped teammate Antti Autti into second. Autti, who has won every World Cup halfpipe he’s entered this season, is currently in Aspen, Colorado preparing to compete in the X Games.

Reigning World Cup pipe champ Xaver Hoffman of Germany bounced back from a cracked board in his first run to rack up 39.6 points and second place honors, while current halfpipe World Champion Markus Keller of Switzerland was third with 38.1 points.

French rider Sophie Rodriguez posted the second career first of the night with a 38.2 point run to win the women’s contest, while Lesley McKenna of Great Britain held onto the yellow bib after finishing just .2 points back of Rodriguez. Soko Yamaoka of Japan rounded out the top three with 37.2 points. No Americans competed.

A second halfpipe will take place Saturday to replace the cancelled Laax, Switzerland event.

FIS SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP
Kreischberg, AUT – Jan. 23

Men's Halfpipe
1. Risto Mattila, Finland, 40.7
2. Xaver Hoffman, Germany, 39.6
3. Markus Keller, Switzerland, 38.1

Women's Halfpipe
1. Sophie Rodriguez, France, 38.2
2. Lesley McKenna, Great Britain, 38.0
3. Soko Yamaoka, Japan, 37.2