Beliler, Clark finish 1-2 in qualifying of first Olympic selection event

Bleiler, Clark finish 1-2 in halfpipe qualifying

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — Olympic medalists Gretchen Bleiler and Kelly Clark finished 1-2 in qualifying at the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix, the first of five halfpipe events that will determine America’s 2010 Olympic team.

Bleiler, who won silver in Turin, and Clark, the gold medalist at the 2002 Games, finished ahead of Japan’s Soko Yamaoka on Thursday. The top eight finishers advanced to the final Saturday.

Defending Olympic champion Hannah Teter didn’t compete after injuring her shoulder in practice. She plans to compete next month in the next two Olympic qualifiers, both in Mammoth, Calif.