The 1999/2000 NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup tour, which featured 17 stages and 82 competitions, came to and end today, as Sweden's Magnus Sterner and Germany's Sabine Wehr-Hasler ruled the halfpipe in front of 3,000 fans in Livigno, Italy.

Sweden's Thomas Johansson and Wehr-Hasler were crowned the Overall halfpipe Champions. Johansson, who had secured enough points to win the title two weeks ago, could not compete today, due to an an injury that also kept him away from the two last halfpipes of the regular season.

"This was the best season I recall and I do not think I could have done any better..."— Sabine Werh-Hasler (GER)

"It really was a pity that I missed those two contests," he said, "but it is so nice to be here and join the team — to at least be part of the celebration. I had such a great season, but it was a long one and I kind of enjoy that I have to stay away from riding for another two months."

Johansson's teammate Magnus Sterner won today's contest, bringing him to the number two spot in the final standings, while his cousin Fredrik, who is also injured, dropped back to 3rd.

"It was special to be on a podium and have two half-invalides next to me," Magnus said, "it was a good season for the Swedes, although we have been pretty unlucky over the past couple of weeks. But most of us were kind of pushing it to the limit, so something must have happened at a certain point. However, it was great and all our efforts finally paid off."

French rider Kevin Saumade made it to 2nd today, while Aleksi Litovaara from Finland finished 3rd.

With last season's halfpipe Champion Tricia Byrnes competing in the US Open this weekend, Sabine Wehr-Hasler from Germany was safe for the World Cup title. Her win today was icing on the cake.

"It is just great," she said, overwhelmed with emotion, "I could not think about it until the entries were closed for the qualification two days ago. This was the best season I recall and I do not think I could have done any better, but it is good we will have a break now."

Tricia Byrnes remains 2nd in the final ranking. Japanese rider Michiyo Hashimoto from Japan took 2nd in today's contest, ahead of Anna Hellman from Sweden, who claimed 3rd place in the standings.

	Manuela Riegler

In the Overall World Cup standings, NOKIA World team riders Matthieu Bozzetto from France and Manuela Riegler from Austria successfully defended their titles. Nicolas Huet from France finished 2nd place in the Overall standings, ahead of Felix Stadler from Austria. French rider Isabelle Blanc moved up to 2nd Overall, ahead of Margerita Parini from Italy.

Not surprisingly, the Nations Cup was awarded to the French team, for both men and women.

Riders, officials and sponsors will ring out the season and boogie down tonight at the "NOKIA Grazie Party." See you next year for the NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup 2001.

—Britta Semmler, MountainZone.com Correspondent