Alternate Athlete Schiller takes X Games Men's slopestyle

TJ Schiller came to the Skiing Slopestyle Men's event as an alternate and left as the gold medal winner. He had a relatively basic combination of moves that were performed with steady skill and as the rest of the competitors struggled to complete the competition with changing snow conditions none could finish with a complete package good enough to unseat Schiller.

Schiller claimed the title on his first run that included a technically sound 270 on and off the rail, a switch 900, an alley-oop right 900 and a switch 1080.

"Last year I blew out my knee and it was a long road to recovery. To win the X Games is the ultimate comeback," the native of Vernon, BC, Canada said. "To come in as an alternate and to stand here as the winner is great, I am so stoked,"

Schiller edged out Sammy Carlson and Colby West, who led the competition in qualifying.

"I am happy with third," West said. "After I fell on my second run, I saw the way Tj and Sammy skied. I am happy to be on the podium. "

"I love the crowd at the X Games," the silver medalist Carlson said. "To make the podium this year is such an amazing feeling."

Winter X Games 13 marks the eighth year of Skiing Slopestyle. Using the same course as snowboarders, skiers showcased their freestyle skills on a variety of obstacles including rails, kickers, jumps and gaps.

Results from Aspen/Snowmass on Sunday, January 25, 2009

Name Bib # Hometown Score

1. Tj Schiller 316 Vernon, BC, Canada 93.00

2. Sammy Carlson 301 Hood River, Ore. 91.00

3. Colby West 315 Breckenridge, Colo. 90.00

4. Andreas Hatveit 306 Sudndalen, Norway 89.00

5. Phil Casabon 336 Shawinigan, BC, Canada 86.33

6. Bobby Brown 330 Breckenridge, Colo. 81.33

7. Matt Walker 313 Aspen, Colo. 78.00

8. Charles Gagnier 304 Victoriaville, QB, Canada 72.00