X Games Aspen launched today in Colorado. Japan’s Ayumu Hirano landed a triple cork 1440—first in comp—to win snowboard halfpipe. He edged Shaun White’s 92.50 with a 94.25—pipe’s new king. Snow fell light; 22-foot walls shone. X Games opened with a bang.
White led early—frontside 1260, vintage. Hirano answered; triple cork was nuts—landed clean. Scotty James took bronze—pipe’s deep. Crowd cheered both; White hugged Ayumu. Japan’s rise—snowboarding shifts.
It’s not smooth—wind gusted; runs got dicey. White’s 35—age showed late. Critics say triples ruin style—judges disagree. X Games TV hit 1 million—extreme’s hot. Halfpipe set the tone—wild start.
Hirano’s 23—Beijing 2022 gold next? White’s last X Games—retirement looms. Aspen’s got ski big air tomorrow. Snowboard’s future landed today.
