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Spin to Win: Our Unofficial Guide to Halfpipe Gold Contenders
Here is former Onboard editor Trey Cook's (the Miss Cleo of snowboarding predictions) early forecast, which has eerily come true.
While some of the world's top riders have once again declined to be a part of the old-school mentality, Mafioso tactics and corporate greed they believe "the event" has come to represent, for better or for worse, the winners will nonetheless represent the face of snowboarding for years to come. So who's going to the event, who's going to win and, more importantly, who will uphold snowboarding's brief yet glorious Olympic tradition of second-hand smoke inhalation and hotel room trashing?
We here at MountainZone.com have been left with nothing to do but casually cast politics and prejudice to the wind to ponder these three of life's deepest mysteries. And while we would certainly never condone any forms of gambling we have worked up a list of potential winners, their most recent accomplishments, and through an extremely complicated analytical process established by one of the many illegitimate love children spawned by Stephen Hawkings and Britney Spears (never figured her to be partial to scientific types did you?), we have thoughtfully listed each rider's odds of winning.
Furthermore, we have sprinkled this analysis with a healthy dose of completely subjective comments by a distinguished panel of snowboarding icons from pro riders to photographers to journalists. Properly utilized, these odds coupled with a furtive phone call to a Las Vegas "investment" firm could conceivably provide the means for a week of heliboarding in AK if not an entire season of shreddin' in Summit County. Or of course, bankruptcy.
Men's Halfpipe Based on his amazing performance last season, right coast ripper Danny Kass seems to be the odds-on favorite to win the gold. He's a relative newcomer to the international competition scene but his youth and casual approach to the competition could be to his benefit. "He is young and on his game. The pressure could cause a fellow to fold, but his skills are there." - photographer Trevor Graves "The hugely talented US Open winner is as good a bet as anyone." - snowboard mag editor Jason Horton "He's young, extremely talented and, although I'm only going off a couple of things I've read about him in the Yank snowboard press, I like the sound of his approach to it all." - snowboarding journalist Matt Barr "I think Danny Kass will do well for the USA in pipe 'cuz he smokes." - surf/skate/snow photographer and lingual gadfly, Scott Needham.
GIAN SIMMEN (Switzerland) - (2 to 1) Not afraid to do what it takes to win (as evidenced in the US Open when he launched an air that accidentally took out Daniel Franck as he walked up the pipe) Gian will be back to defend his 1998 gold medal. Gian came out of nowhere to win the event and proceeded to silence all critics by becoming a common fixture on the podium both in Europe and the States. "After his first gold medal he just continued to get better and can win any contest on this planet - jump or pipe." - snowboarding photographer/cinematographer Patrick Armbruster "He goes really big, rides technically and is really consistent. He almost never slams." - pro snowboarder Thomas Harstad "After his first title (nobody expected it), he didn't sit back. He went out and showed everybody why he is the Olympic champion! Much respect!" -pro snowboarder Friedl Kolar
DANIEL FRANCK (Norway) - (3 to 1) Daniel Franck has rightfully earned himself a position as one of the legends of the sport by almost single-handedly raising the standard for what was considered "technical" way back in the day. He also happens to be one of snowboarding's fiercest competitors. "A solid rider. I saw him tossing runs at Mt. Hood that were all-time." -snowboarding photographer Trevor Graves
SHAUN WHITE (USA) - (5 to 1) Comparisons to the legendary Terje Haakonsen are not uncommon for this young stylemaster. He's one of the very few riders who can boast beating him in a contest in the past ten years and perhaps the only one who can claim beating The Cat on his home turf. "He's gonna go there like a kid who rides for his country, in his country. He won't give a f--k whether or not it's a good event to go to, and he will want it more than the others." - snowboard mag editor, Youri Barneoud
JONAS EMERY (Switzerland) - (7 to 1) Jonas has been one of the most mind-blowing European riders for the past several years. An incredibly gifted athlete, Jonas cold walk home with the gold if he decides to focus his imaginative mind to winning it.
ROSS POWERS (USA) - (10 to 1) Ross has made a name for himself by gaining the podium in some of the best competitions in the world. He systematically rules the halfpipe. "He got 3rd in Japan and why not in Salt Lake?" - snowboarding photographer Trevor Graves
TODD RICHARDS (USA) - (15 to 1) Another rider who has survived the flavor-of-the-month battles, Todd earned his strong reputation with a ridiculously smooth skate style that many riders have tried their best to emulate but few have ever come close to even grazing. "I think Todd might win because he's got every halfpipe trick there is down." - pro snowboarder David Benedek "If he decides to go he could be a gold medal boy. He has the maturity to handle the pressure." - snowboarding photographer Trevor Graves
STEFAN KARLSSON (Sweden) - (15 to 1 odds) Stefan had a promising start to his career but was sidelined early with a variety of problems. Stefan is now back, stronger than ever, and eager to be the next superstar produced by the Falun, Sweden, dynasty. "He is simply the best piperider right now. He has been going bigger than most other people and last year they had to change the whole judging system cause he was going too big for the judging standards. Last year he quit eating McDonalds and started to train really hard. He is now so fit and strong that I think even Tyson would back off. Stronger legs mean better landings and more stable, super-technical runs. Stefan now spins four-meter-high FS 900s. He also has a great personality and no rock star attitude so he'll be able to handle the pressure." -pro snowboarder Jacob Söderqvist
HEIKKI SORSA (Finland) - (15 to 1) Another young rider who is relatively new to international competition, Heikki's segments in Europe's Method Mag video magazine have had plenty of people talking. "A crazy Finnish kid who will kick ass with his style and tricks. A sure bet." -pro snowboarder Satu Järvelä
IKER FERNANDEZ (Spain) - (20 to 1) With his win at Valle Nevado this summer (his first ever World Cup win) it appears the young Spaniard could be peaking just in time for the Olympics.
TERJE (Norway) - (1000 to 1 odds)
Women's Halfpipe After dominating the women's side of things for several years, Nicola sat out the last two seasons with an injury. Just recently back on snow, it's going to be a race for Nicola to gather enough World Cup points in time to qualify. With her 2nd place finish at Valle Nevado this summer it looks like the German is riding as well as ever and on her way to not only qualify but to assume her rightful position on the podium. "Because there is no girl going bigger in a superpipe than her." -snowboarding pro David Benedek "She'll be back with a vengeance." -snowboarding pro David Pitschi "Nicola Thost is back with the most solid style and tricks. One thing's for sure is that she'll come to the competition with some new tricks in her pocket." -snowboardig pro Satu Järvelä
NATASHA ZUREK (Canada) - (3 to 1) A huge backside McTwist to a big crippler followed by a few lofty straight airs was her winning combo at Stratton this year. If she keeps nailing runs like that, she'll be a hard woman to beat in Salt Lake City.
STINE BRUN KJELDAAS (Norway) - (5 to 1) Stine spent an unusual amount of the 2001 season standing on the podium collecting medals. She is perhaps the most seasoned competitor on the women's tour and her position at the top of both the ISF and FIS standings is testament to her ability.
KJERSTI OESTGAARD BUASS (Norway) - (7 to 1) After trailing Nicola into the finals at Valle Nevado, Kjersti scored more points in both her first and second final runs to win the event. This young Norwegian proved she not only has the skills but the mental game that is needed to take home Olympic gold. "She has lots of tricks in her pocket and if everything goes right and she doesn't screw up she will kick ass." -snowboarding pro Satu Järvelä "She's a young Norwegian who is already winning FIS events and could just take the gold." -snowboard mag editor, Jason Horton
ANNE MOLIN KONSGAARD (Norway) - (10 to 1)
KELLY CLARKE (USA) - (10 to 1) 2001 Sims World Championships - 2nd 2001 Van's Triple Crown (Sierra-at-Tahoe) - 1st 2001 US Open - 4th 2001 Canadian Masters - 2nd Kelly has had an impressive season for a relative newcomer to the international stage and is holding high positions in both the ISF and FIS polls. A strong day in the pipe could make gold a reality for her. "She's clean and goes big." -surf/skate/snow photographer Scott Needham
SHANNON DUNN-DOWNING (USA) - (15 to 1) Shannon is another one of the many women who can win contests on any given day. She has led the American halfpipe force for many years and her second place finish at the U.S. Open proves that she is very much a contender for the Olympic gold.
BARRETT CHRISTY (USA) - (15 to 1)
2001 Vans Triple Crown (Snow Summit) - 4th For many years Barrett has been regarded as one of the most talented overall riders in the sport. If she decides to focus her skills on riding halfpipe in the months leading up to the event her efforts could very well result in a spot on the podium. Olympic Halfpipe Snowboarding Schedule February 10th (10am to 2pm) - Women's Qualification and Final February 11th (10am to 2:00pm) - Men's Qualification and Final — Trey Cook, MountainZone.com Correspondent
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