Mike Makes Right

Some young Americans came to the northern boarder dispute and piped up the slack to take third and fourth. It was the renowned ruler Adam Petraska, with Dan Kass following, who kept some currency American and reminded everybody what side of the line we were on.

The women seemed to catch the judges eyes a bit better today. Michele Taggart took top place with her back-to-back 540s. This made sense because the judges did seem to like it when the boys did 7 & 7s. Tricia Byrnes said she was "doing horrible today," but still held on to second with her solid 7s. I think she was just being hard on herself. Kim Stacy took the next spot on the podium with her usual hugeness on scale with Aurelie Sayres stepping up and throwing down out out above the banners. Aurelie almost surpassed all were it not for her boosting a bit beyond her board's ability.

Ross Powers is always a contender. Even with Michalchuk slowly sipping soda in the slopeside shade, Ross rarely stumbles. And he didn't stumble today, he sketched a bit, but his numbers, like many a rider today, didn't reflect his run. The beauty was watching Ross ready with his last chance to catch the pack, knowing he was whipping out the 900 for the money. Something happened on his first hit. Off kilter in the air, Ross found himself fully extended and out of focus. He stopped, regained his composure and, with unbridled fury, pumped speed down the deck. He crossed the tranny full speed and contorted a 900 Mctwist. He flowed back right into a frontside 9, finishing with a big method at the bottom. In little more than three meters and three hits, Ross had regained all respect and more.

Petraska Aint No Punk

The pipe was perfect, the sun was warm, but the confusion was apparent between runs with everyone staring blankly at the scoreboard. It seems they are attempting to equalize the scores between sexes. There was a time when the top men would get 49s and the women 34s. Maybe I should have gone to some of those rider's meetings. I don't know if this means there will be gender testing in the future or mandatory mctwists, but if there is I'll be there with a camera and a conspiracy down my shorts.

— Hans Prosl, packing a telephoto in his pants for The Mountain Zone

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