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08 DEC 2000
Lucas Kane, MountainZone.com Correspondent
The gate went thoooomp early Friday morning - releasing riders onto the snowboard cross course where the track was fast and the features fierce. A stepdown was the first to be reckoned with, followed by step-ups, gaps, and big booters. The width was wide and roomy, too, creating a passing lane, but the slick wax, the hole shot and big cojones took Xavier Delerue across the finish in first, during each and every heat today - he's not to be touched.
Phillipe Conte put it best when he said, "Once he's (Xavier's) leading, the only way you'll pass him is if he crashes." No such mistakes today...Xavier sailed the final table, arm raised, fist clenched and stomped the landing for the top podium spot.
Chasing him was Nicolas Conte and Scott Gaffney who took second and third, respectively.
As for the girls, Ine Poetzl took one for Team Blue Window. Nothing new for her though she dominates regularly and her only advice is, "Ride, ride, ride!" Sound words my friend...I can do that! Ine was followed by Katerina Himmler and Marni Yamada, who also collected trophies.
After the podium, the freestyle artists turned their business off the big air kicker, while DJ Smokey shook the crowd. In the meantime, the judges were attempting to dwindle the pack of 60 men to a mere 10 big hucks and ass checks scattered the first round...the second round mellowed a bit in degrees, but the style was certainly present. No wavering the stature still air-dropped your jaw and super late backside 180s snaked big points!
All went huge and some paid just as dearly, as the landing didn't look very friendly a light dusting covered the hard back downslope and visibility wasn't all that. To provide some sort of perception, a big "OUCH" was painted at the end of the transition. Ouch is right, my brotha. A double-back turned two-and-a-half on accident and slid the rider the rest of the slope on a stretcher. Patrol was on their toes and treated it properly, though scary, it was just a concussion.
Midway through the heats, snow began to fall just as the recent rumors had predicted. The hype's been built for sure. "The biggest storm in three years" is supposed to smack us square in the face according to every other soul you chat with...even the weatherman agrees. So far, an inch has accumulated and lifts don't spin again till dawn. Just another morning to sniff out first chair.
My undivided thanks to the Vans crew who provided my nourishment, else all would have gone hungry. Anyone else get a chili bread bowl? That's good lovin'. I ate my body weight in peanut M&Ms and I'm still slurping a can of Dew. Did I mention it's still dumping?
Life is gooooood...let's talk tomorrow
We found a rail up the trail from the condo...gotta go. Pipe hits tomorrow...
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