2002 Winter Olympic Games - Wrap-Up - Salt Lake City

And there's the trilogy of male snowboarders who went 1-2-3 in the halfpipe. Somehow previously lumped into some slacker group by the public at large, the snowboarders showed the world what gracious, dedicated athletes they really are.

In this event particularly, Ross Powers, Danny Kass, and JJ Thomas, represented their sport in the highest fashion. In a made-for-TV event they showed what it really takes to rip up a halfpipe and just how far one can propel him or herself off a wall of snow while strapped in.

"There are so many good snowboarders, but just to have the three of us do really well today when it really matters is huge for all of us..."

— Ross Powers, February 11

Powers, 23-and-a-day, and the reigning bronze medalist, in what correspondent Scott Willoughby called "the most spectacular halfpipe run ever seen in Olympic competition ... at what was undoubtedly the most spectacular halfpipe contest ever held," pulled the gold medal. Winning with his signature mix of monstrous air and technical prowess, Ross, as those on the inside have long known, is still "Boss."

Kass, 19, pulled out all the stops with a Cab 1080 melon poke, rodeo 720 stale fish, inverted 720 indie grab and frontside 900 melon poke, but could reach Ross-level air for silver.

Then JJ Thomas came up the back for bronze with huge air but a less technical run. In the brotherhood of boarders though, Thomas said it best: "It's not about me, it's about Ross. Ross is The Man."

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