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Finals: Maierhofer and Marguerite Macht Gut

La Niña has been punishing the poor Utes this year. There's a good fresh filler coat, but with a 96 inch base, it's hurting times here in Utah for mid-March. The construction workers are having a field day with American Ski Company's big plans of a 3.2% community; cranes are abundant. I heard one of the female riders say she wanted to take another walk around the site to "inspect the construction workers." It's kinda chaotic with dirt roads running shuttle buses, concrete trucks, and civilians bouncing around the site, but I'm in a rental and as I've told you before, I'm not here to care.

Freewheelin' Franklin

You can't miss the nipples near the finish line. Sure I'm just looking for an excuse to say nipples, but everyones got 'em and those things sure ain't no "snow ghosts." Everyone agrees it was a good idea, but like that jump over the shark tank, the implementation was a bit messy. It looks like a mogul field, but they stand 10 feet tall and they offer no aerial alternative. Riders found a few lanes through, but only a handful could navigate at speed, and through the angled lines could force riders to cross paths blindly. It doesn't even make for a good picture.

The riders asked about the possilbility of aureola reduction, but they said "the snow ghosts stay." The handful, who thought they had a chance if everyone slowed down for them right before the finish line, cheered. Drew Neilson spoke for no one when he asked if they could add lights on top of the nipples that would light up and make a sound when riders bounced off 'em, "like a pinball game," he smiled.

Dave Dowd Down

Most of the tour groupies are here hitting the course while a few riders are slowly crawling back from the big Vegas SIA trade show. Since the numbers were short, practice continued into Friday with quals on Saturday and finals Sunday.

Mr. Palmer pulled in fashionably late Friday, but called in sick after one look at the the nipples. Maybe he bumped and ground too hard in Vegas. All the same his intimidation factor will be missed.

A few riders are also sticking it out in Europe (Maelle Ricker), but the field looks deep and strong in this the last American showdown before the unleashing of the finals in Laax, Switzerland next month. This may be the last time for some North Americans to throw down agaist the likes of Palmer, Putz, Cossetinni and Koeck. So we'll be exposing lots of local lunacy.

Hit It & Quit It

This mountain has a lot of terrain and fresh tracks are easy to find. Then add to the equation that the slopes are empty and I'm lucky to have any pitcures at all to show you. Thankfully, the racers are enjoying themselves, too, and always willing to bust out some style over the finish line.

— Hans Prosl, preaching polygamy for The Mountain Zone

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