Hirano Ruka and Ono Mitsuki collect World Cup halfpipe crowns after Calgary triumphs

Japanese snowboarders Hirano Ruka and Ono Mitsuki collected World Cup Crystal Globes after securing halfpipe victories in Calgary on Friday (10 February).

The pair completed hat-tricks of World Cup halfpipe triumphs having won previously at Laax and last weekend at Mammoth Mountain.

Ono was already assured of the title at the end of an ultra-consistent campaign, taking third in the opener at Copper Mountain before starting her winning run.

She scored 89.75 to claim her third consecutive win ahead of Canada's Elizabeth Hosking (86.00) and Swiss boarder Berenice Wicki (72.50).

Hosking also finished second in the World Cup series.

With two-time Olympic medallist Scotty James forced to miss the action through illness, Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020 champion Hirano needed to finish fourth or better to take the Crystal Globe.

He did so in style, scoring 88.50 to post his third straight victory and give Japan both the women's and men's World Cup halfpipe titles for the first time.

Australia's Big Air series winner Valentino Guseli (82.00) finished second to move ahead of compatriot James into second place in the halfpipe standings.

He just edged out Shigeno Shuichiro (81.75) with the Japanese 17-year-old having to settle for third.

Results - 2023 Calgary Snow Rodeo - FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup

Men's

1. Hirano Ruka (JPN) - 88.50

2. Valentino Guseli (AUS) - 82.00

3. Shigeno Shuichiro (JPN) - 81.75

4. Lee Chaeun (KOR) - 81.00

5. Chase Blackwell (USA) - 71.00

6. Chase Josey (USA) - 68.75

Women's

1. Ono Mitsuki (JPN) - 89.75

2. Elizabeth Hosking (CAN) - 86.00

3. Berenice Wicki (SUI) - 72.50

4. Brooke Dhondt (CAN) - 72.25

5. Isabelle Loetscher (SUI) - 65.75

6. Lee Na Yoon (KOR) - 48.50