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AAP
AAP
Melissa Woods

Superpipe snowboard king James claims X Games gold

Australia's Scotty James on his way to clinching superpipe gold at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado. (HANDOUT/X-GAMES)

Scotty James has continued his sizzling form to claim his third straight superpipe gold medal at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado, equalling American snowboard legend Shaun White.

The Victorian has now won nine medals, including six golds, at the prestigious invitational event which features the world's best snowboarders.

Friday's victory (Saturday AEDT) comes after the triple world champion took out last week's halfpipe event in Laax, Switzerland - the ninth World Cup win of his career.

Fellow Australian Valentino Guseli picked up silver in Laax but the exciting teenager was unable to compete in Aspen after suffering an injury at training.

In the best-of-three-run final, two-time Olympic medallist James led from start to finish, posting the highest opening round run with a score of 88 points.

He increased his jump package in the second run with a switch-back-1260 on the final hit to boost his score and receive 93 points from the judges.

With no rider able to match his score, the Australian ace was able to complete a "victory lap" in the third and final run celebrating on his way down the Aspen superpipe.

Joining James on the podium were Japanese brothers Ruka Hirano in second with a best score of 87, with Kaishu Hirano third on 86.33 points.

"I am really stoked, and I just feel like a little kid again riding," the 29-year-old James said.

"That's showing through which has been really fun, and I am enjoying snowboarding so much.

"To join that record with Shaun is pretty nice."

American Chloe Kim made history in the women's event, becoming the first woman to land a 1260 in a women's snowboard superpipe competition.

A two-time Olympic gold medallist, the 23-year-old won her seventh career X Games title in the women's superpipe, tying Kelly Clark for the most in the event's history.

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