Australian Scotty James has underlined his favouritism for Olympic gold in the halfpipe with a record-breaking fifth-straight X-Games gold medal in Aspen.
James's superpipe gold medal was his eighth overall, matching American snowboard legend Shaun White's record tally.
The 31-year-old has stated that he wants to be known as the greatest snowboarder of all time and, with performances like this, it's hard to see how he would not earn that accolade — if he can claim an elusive Olympic gold in Livigno at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games next month.
"F*** yeah, I am so pumped," James, who will compete in his fifth Olympics in Milano Cortina, said.
"Tonight I knew I had to do something to put my best foot forward.
"They [the opposition] inspire me as well, maybe I have a chip on my shoulder as well, thinking maybe I wouldn't be expected to come back and win here.
"I'm speechless."
James stunned the commentators in his first run with a switch backside 1440 — a trick never seen before in an X-Games superpipe — to go clear at the top of the standings with a score of 92.33.
"The absolute nerve of Scott James to put down a run like that right out the gate," commentator Brandon Graham said.
"How dare he do that, on run one."
With an expected challenge from New Zealand phenom Cambell Melville Ives never materialising, the 19-year-old failing to land a single run from three attempts, James was never seriously challenged
Adjusting from attempting a cab triple on his first hit, instead opting for a cab 1080 due to the slowness of the pipe after heavy snow in Aspen, James then landed an immaculate frontside double 1260 into a backside 1080.
Then, after his incredible switch backside 1440 that had the commentators audibly gasping, he landed a stunning backside 1260 with room running out.
"That is so pleasing for my eyeballs," added Canadian snowboarder Craig McMorris on commentary.
"This is what happens when talent meets impeccable work ethic."
James changed up for the second run, starting with a cab double 1440 before aborting his run after catching the lip with his backside 1080.
But his final run was even more special, ending with a switch backside 1440 into a backside 1440 — another X-Games first — to give him a score of 95.
"When I look at the greats that have come before me … I really felt like I wanted to do something for myself and for the halfpipe and push backside riding as much as I can," James said.
"Tonight I think it was always the plan [to attempt that trick]."
James celebrated by bodysurfing the crowd before collecting his gold medal, a trinket he is surely favourite to add to with an Olympic gold in Livigno to add to the bronze and silver medals he has won at the last two Games.
This X-Games gold comes hot on the heels of a World Cup win at Laax earlier this month, giving James a positive run heading into the Olympics.
