Second place for Kalle Leinonen at FIS Halfpipe World Cup

Finnish rider Kalle Leionen once more proved his magnificent form. After wining the Austrian Open slopestyle competition and coming in fifth in the halfpipe at the US Open, Kalle finished second at the FIS halfpipe World Cup in Lake Inawashiro, Japan, this weekend. The Lake Inawashiro competition is the second out of three tour stops of the FIS halfpipe World Cup Tour.

Riders and spectators both congratulated the great organization of the event, as well as the perfectly shaped halfpipe and the experienced judges. The only unpleasant thing at the event was the weather. With dark clouds and snow falling, some of the riders had problems putting down a clean run. Kalle bailed on his first hit in qualification but he managed to pick up his game and put down a clean run on his second try, which was enough to qualify for the finals.
  During the finals, Kalle put down some of his best runs ever, landing right side and left side 9s followed by a 5 double true nose. The very technical runs were not quite enough though to supersede Matt Hayward from Canada, who was throwing 1260’s on his first hit. SCOTT athlete Justin Dorey came in 4th.
    Jeff Schmuck - newschoolers.com

Next stop for Leinonen will be the Nippon Open, February 21 - 24. We wish him good luck and a lot of fun in Japan!