Snowboarding Halfpipe Preview

Halfpipe: An American Sport?

Terje's sittin' this one out

Born in the States in the late '60s, snowboarding has taken hold in every country with a mountain or the ability to build one. The freestyle aspect grew out of California, with Lake Tahoe claiming the first halfpipe — nothing more than a natural drainage gully.

Halfpipe competition has become so competitive that one hand drag (exactly what it means) or one butt check (same as the hand, but with the butt) means you're out of the running. It is an event that demands consistency. Many riders can get 10 feet out of the pipe, but only a few can do it every run, all the while maintaining their speed and fluidity.

Todd Richards' takes it to the stage

The Americans' strengths in freestyle have waned recently as they have seen their dominance fluctuate with the onslaught of the sport's popularity/participation. Today, the Europeans, and specifically the Scandinavians, continually take the sport to new heights. This does not however mean the American men won't have a strong contingent in Nagano.

The past couple of years have been the maturing and evolving stages in the career of American halfpiper Todd Richards. [Hear his interviews at Whistler and Snowmass]. He has risen to the highest level of competition and taken several World Cup podiums. He even beat the undisputed best freestyler in the World, Terje Haakonsen, at last year's US Open. He stands as the US's best hope for halfipipe gold.

Shannon Dunn, winningest female competitor

Other contenders that may be ranked alongside Mr. Richards is the strong Ross Powers [Hear his interview at the '97 Sugarloaf Grand Prix], and the consistent Jimi Scott. Though, this isn't to omit a slew of big boosters, including John Sommers, Bryan Iguchi, Frank Wells, Rob Kingwill and Jake Blattner, who, after an amazing showing at this year's Whistler World Cup, has shown that '98 may be his year to emerge from the pack.

The American women have more competition within their ranks. Their undisputed leader, Shannon Dunn, has won more halfpipe events than any other female snowboarder. [Hear her interviews at the '97 Grand Prix in Sugarloaf and Snowmass] She has consistently been busting out clean 720s, while only a few other girls on the planet can spin that much. Most of the ladies are still in the 540 range, give or take 180 degrees.

Barrett Christy [Hear her interviews at the '97 World Championships and the '97 US Open], Cara-Beth Burnside and Griselda Gonzalez have been throwing out McTwists that combine spinning with inversion that could possibly enable them to leapfrog Shannon's hold on the big maneuvers. This will be for the judges to decide. And Aurelie Sayers, Tricia Byrnes, Tina Basich and Michelle Taggart all have the ability to take top honors with a good run on a good day.

Natasza Zurek in focus

Canada Kicks Ass
Okay, maybe they're young but maybe they're also fearless. Let's start with the ladies, the ladies. Natasza Zurek has only been riding five years, but her focus is unwavering. She can spin, McTwist and keep up with any girl in the pipe. Then there are Tara Tiegen, Krista Bradford and Maelle Ricker backing her up. These girls could also all step up on a good day.

The men are too many to list. At December's World Cup, Todd Richards realized that "they're not just a bunch of huckers here, they all rip." He was right on.

It begins with Trevor Andrew. At 19, he is one of the biggest boosters in the business. If the judges are looking hard at amplitude (height out of the pipe), Trevor will score.

Then there is ex-gymnast Mike Michaelchuck. If you've ever seen Peter Line's switch rodeo 540s, [1MB QTime movie] that's what Mikey is throwin' down on the backside walls. He doesn't tuck like most other inverts in the pipe. Instead, Michealchuck lays out with his large frame extended. It's a thing of beauty.

Derek Heidt and Brett Carpentier will be backing them up. It seems as though Allen Clark and Jesse Fox didn't make the cut. It's too bad, they rip.

The Scandinavian Threat:
It could have begun with boy wonder. Norway's Terje Haakonsen is the best. His partner in crime and fellow countryman Daniel Franck [Hear his interview at the '97 US Open] has obviously learned a lot from his friend. Daniel defiantly places among the top five halfpipers in the world and second only to Terje on a good day.

With Haakonsen boycotting the Games, it will be up to the remaining contenders to find their competitive edges amongst themselves.

Other Northern threats include Sebu Kuhlberg (FIN) and the young Roger Hjelmstadstuen (NOR).

Stine Brun Kjeldaas, dancing her way to the Olympics

Jennie Warra (SWE) will also be in Nagano, and has put the fear of Sweden in the hearts of the American women by entering the American Grand Prix Olympic Qualifiers. And don't forget Finland. Satu Jarvella and Minna Hesso will be there to fight for their nation and cannot be overlooked.

Euros On The Loose
The European halfpipers are hard to keep track of. With so many youngin's coming out of the junior ranks and with the Continental Opens pushing out new talent monthly during the winter, I just don't know anymore. Fabian Rohrer was a young lad from Switzerland who was all over podiums last year. Haven't heard anything from him this year.

I do know Gulliaume Chalstagnol, of France, has consistently thrown down 1080s in the pipe; Bertrand Denervaud shows strength for Switzerland; and Xavier Hoffmann should be riding for Germany.

The European women could, with a bit of luck, take all three podium places in Nagano. First there is Nicola Thost. At 19, she just came off of the junior circuit, but has sparked the fear of unbridled youth in every female Olympic halfpiper in the world. She is always mistaken for one of the guys because of her huge style out of the pipe. As long as she remains strong, she'll be on the podium.

Then there's always last year's World Champion Anita Schwaller of Germany. Anita throws down McTwists with ease and speed, and if Nicola gets injured again (as she did in the World Championships) Anita will again step up. Another all-around strong rider is Austria's Nici Pederzolli. She rips it up everywhere she rides and is not to be taken lightly.

We'll see.

— Hans Prosl, Snowboard Editor