Gretchen Bleiler Leads Women's Snowboard Pipe Semis at Toyota Championships

Gretchen Bleiler came back with a massive Crippler and stellar run to take the win from China’s Xuetong Cai in the women’s snowboard pipe Semi-Final during Friday’s Toyota Championships.

Bleiler’s second run was heads above the field of 13 women, and the combination of amplitude and smooth and technical tricks awarded her a 92.25.

All the women threw down in the 22-ft. pipe, but only the top five advance to Saturday’s Final. They will meet up with overall season leader Kelly Clark, who is automatically seeded into the Final.

A standout competitor was the youngest of the field, 15-year old Arielle Gold who had great style and execution in her first run and finished third with 75.00. She trailed second-place-finisher Xuetong Cai, who nearly won with her score of 90.50.

Hannah Teter had a great first run until she collided with the deck and had a hard fall, but was ok in the end.

Check back for results and photos.

1. Gretchen Bleiler 92.25
2. Xuetong Cai 90.50
3. Arielle Gold 75.00
4. Sophie Rodriguez 70.75
5. Sarah Conrad 70.50