ASPEN, Colo. (Jan. 26, 2012) – Monster Energy-backed freestyle snowmobiler Joe Parsons mined the first precious medal out of Winter X 2012 by blasting to a well-deserved silver medal in the X Games’ opening event at Buttermilk Mountain – Snowmobile Freestyle.
Parsons was on it from the opening heat, qualifying for the main with the heat’s top score of 92.00. His run was highlighted by a Superman back flip, no-handed back flip to no-handed lander, a one-handed back flip nac nac, a big look back Hart attack – and ended it with a double can can pendulum back flip.

“Everything was poked,” added an ESPN announcer as Winter X Games judges awarded Parsons the heat’s top score.
In the second heat Monster Energy’s snocross racer/freestyler Cory Davis opened the scoring with a respectable 81.33 – in a run that featured no flip tricks. Davis did throw a dirt bike-inspired whip that sent the announcers in to a frenzy. “Serious MX style,” they added as Davis mixed a number of grab tricks to take the early lead in the heat. Davis’ Monster Energy teammate, Heath Frisby – looking for his first Winter X gold in Freestyle – would rack up enough points on an under flip (back flip) and multiple grab and release tricks to edge Davis, 82.0 to 81.33, to transfer to the finals.

In the finals Frisby, somewhat surprised to be there, more or less went through the motions, as he knew his overall trick game wasn’t on par with Parsons and the other competitors. Frisby’s 82.66 in the finals was a click up from his heat score, but that’s as good as it would get. Parsons on the other hand went flat out blazing, throwing the same run he showcased in the heat – with even greater amplitude. The judges however wouldn’t agree with Parsons’ effort in the finals and actually scored him down – to a 90.66.

“I was happy with my first run … didn’t think I needed to go bigger,” said Parsons as he watched the other competitors. “Guess I’ll have to.”And though Parsons’ second run in the finals didn’t quite match his opening run, it was easily good enough for the silver medal – his eighth medal at Winter X and third silver.Next up for Monster Energy snowmobilers will be Sunday’s Best Trick event at Buttermilk Mountain beginning at 7 p.m. MT.  Check out monsterenergy.com now and throughout Winter X Games 2012 for extensive coverage, photos and videos of each event over the weekend. For on-site interview requests, bios, images and more information contact Kim Dresser at (949) 300-5546, kimpaigedresser@att.net or Paul Brewer at (760) 305-2018,paulmbrewer@me.com