If Shaun White still doesn’t know Mark McMorris by name, then the snowboarding legend just isn’t paying attention. 
In his much ballyhooed showdown with White in the slopestyle finals Saturday at X Games Aspen, McMorris blew away the competition with a record-setting victory lap, scoring a 98, the highest in Winter X slopestyle history as he laid down a difficult cab 1260 double cork and backside triple cork 1440.
McMorris of Canada posted a 94.66 on his first run, which was enough to carry him to podium to collect his second consecutive gold medal in Winter X slopestyle. But like White did in the superpipe last year when his victory lap produced a perfect 100, McMorris saved the best for last. Take a look at his record run:
With the victory, McMorris solidified his position as the man to beat in slopestyle at Sochi.
Slopestyle is making its debut at next year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, which is why White has increased his training in the discipline he once dominated. Before Winter X, there was talk about White having secretly pulled off a triple cork 1440. There was also talk about White playing mind games, pretending not to know Mark McMorris by name.
“I’m so glad it’s over,” McMorris told ESPN. “I proved myself the way I wanted to and I’m just a happy camper. I landed a run I don’t think I’ve ever done, really.”
When asked about White, McMorris didn’t stoke the fire.
“He’s got all the tricks, but he’s just getting back into it,” he said.
As for White, he said he needs practice, adding, “I’m going to let this soak in and hopefully turn it into a motivator.”
Max Parrot, an 18-year-old Canadian, took the silver with 90 points thanks to a triple cork he learned two weeks ago in Switzerland. Seppe Smith of Belgium took bronze with 85 points.
Photo of Mark McMorris courtesy of ESPN
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