By Marty Basch

The Burton US Open is a special event for Kelly Clark, and a halfpipe win would make her its winningest rider of all time. It would also be her 17th consecutive victory in competition.

“The Open has always been good to me, even as a kid when I was a spectator,’’ she said. “I’ve done well there so many times. I grew up in Vermont, which always has varying conditions. That is something I’m used to. Maybe that gives me an advantage.’’

Clark is among the superstars of snowboarding in Stratton this week for the 30th Burton US Open.

Clark, a three-time Olympian from West Dover, Vt., known for delivering huge frontside 1080s, is dominating women’s snowboarding. The last time Clark didn’t win was at the Winter Dew Tour event in Breckenridge, Colo., in Dec. 2010.

She won her 16th straight event last Saturday, capturing the Burton European Open in Laax, Switzerland.

Clark, 28, has won the Open’s halfpipe five times, tying her with Danny Kass for the most ever.

“I take one event at a time, one run at a time, have goals, push myself, and achieve them,’’ she said. “The wins are just a byproduct of being focused on tricks, runs, and personal goals.’’

Even with her success, Clark is a dedicated student of snowboarding, always seeking new maneuvers and challenging herself during events by stepping up her second runs to, in essence, beat herself.

“My trick goals are my main targets,’’ she said. “I’m pretty much filled out with my frontside spins with 10s, 9s, and 7s. I’d like to add more switch and backside spins. I’m having an incredible year, but it’s ironic, all I want to learn.’’

Clark is also soaring in popularity. Last year, she was nominated for a Best Female Athlete ESPY and this year a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Female Athlete. Though honored, she views those more as victories for female snowboarding.

She’s also active in the Kelly Clark Foundation, which provides youth scholarships to mountain schools across the country. Fourteen scholarships were awarded this year.

“Snowboarding is such an expensive sport,’’ she said. “We look to break down the financial barriers. Sometimes all that people need to be great is opportunity.’’