Photo credit: Snowboarder Magazine/ Huggy

A crowd of 32,000 witnessed a preview of the halfpipe action for the Winter Olympics in a couple of weeks, however, it seemed as though Winter X Games 12 reached above and beyond the typical audience for a snowboarding competition- the entire country tuned in to watch the snowboarders before they head to Vancouver fly high and push the limits of the winter sport.

3 out of 4 of the ladies from the US Olympic team claimed a spot on the podium, with hometown hero Gretchen Bleiler taking the halfpipe gold with an epic run of a boosty frontside 9 into a backside five followed by a Crippler seven into back-to-back.

"It was the best run I've had all season," Gretchen said, all smiles after the competition. "That was my perfect run for tonight. I finally feel like I'm riding to my potential. This is great momentum for me and knowing that I am capable of this brings confidence." Gretchen now has four X Games medals.

Kelly Clark (USA) made her presence known with huge airs and amplitude that is matched by few women in the halfpipe. She finished a mere .66 points behind Gretchen as all competitors showcased  the product of extreme dedication to the sport.

"Gretchen rode amazing, Hannah rode great and that was one of the best women's finals I've ever seen," Kelly said. "I think we all take a lot of momentum any time we're standing on the podium of a high profile event. There's no better way to prepare for an event like the Olympics."

Halfpipe phenom Torah Bright (AUS) pulled from the competition after suffering two concussions within a 3-day period. The 23- year old took X-Games gold in 2009 and 2007, when she became the first Australian snowboarder to claim gold. A week before the halfpipe competition, word spread that she was practicing double-corks- a trick that hasn't broke into the women's competition yet and is usually attached to names such as Shaun White and Kevin Pearce. With Torah out of the competition, U.S. snowboarders gunned for the podium and ultimately filled all three tiers.

Ellery Hollingsworth was the only American absent from the podium- her progressive determination (Ellery was going for Cab 10's!) ultimately didn't score high enough to keep her in the game. Keep an eye on women's snowboarding as the energy explodes at the Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Winter X Games 14 Women’s Halfpipe Results
Saturday January 30, 2010

Aspen, Colorado
1. Gretchen Bleiler, (Aspen, CO) 96.66

2. Kelly Clark, (Mt. Snow, VT) 96.00
3. Hannah Teter, (Belmont, VT) 70.00

4. Soko Yamaoka, (Japan) 66.00
5. Ellery Hollingsworth, (Stratton, VT) 46.66

6. Elena Hight, (South Lake Tahoe) CA, 39.33