LAAX, Switzerland - Japan's Milan Cortina Winter Olympic bronze medalist Ryusei Yamada won his second straight Snow League snowboard halfpipe event on Saturday, as Sara Shimizu also triumphed for the second time in a row in the women's bracket.
Inclement weather in Laax, Switzerland, meant the men's result was decided based on the standings from the quarterfinals, with Yamada finishing above Olympic gold medalist Yuto Totsuka in second.
"I was able to get heights with my tricks, and that was really good," Yamada said. "I'll definitely keep doing routines featuring unique tricks, which is my color."
The season's overall title was won by Totsuka on 355 points as Japan swept the podium with Yamada notching 334 and Ruka Hirano 230.
"I managed to finish high consistently throughout the season's four events, and the level of my run is going up each time," said Totsuka.
"I'm really happy to win the season title in a competition created by the legend, and my hero", he said in paying tribute to snowboarding icon Shaun White, the tournament's founder.
Shimizu, fourth at the Winter Olympics last month, beat her fellow 16-year-old Japanese Rise Kudo after the women's result was decided with the semifinals result. Cai Xuetong of China was third.
"I was strongly determined to nail my run, and I'm really happy," Shimizu said. "I was left really frustrated at the Olympics, and I have a big desire inside to get better. I'll do my best to show my development next season."
Sena Tomita, sixth on the day, won the women's overall title on 277 points, followed by Milan Cortina bronze medalist Mitsuki Ono who totaled 264 and American Maddie Mastro on 227.
"I'm left frustrated (with today's result), but I'm happy to wrap up the season having performed what I wanted to," the Beijing Olympics bronze medalist said.
"I haven't decided yet on my schedule next season but will be involved in snowboarding, whether it be taking part in competitions or something else. I hope to lift the mood around the sport."
