Tara Time

"I knew if I stuck something I would be on the podium. I was going to bust out my new stereo-rodeo (a half rodeo, half mctwist???), but but the wind and the snow and the bottle that flew by the landing had me a bit sketched," Traves said later.

I don't know if our beloved announcers Mark Sullivan and Pat Bridges, who were sporting tuxedos, started it, but the crowd was spilling over into the finish area and soon swinging on the fences. They thought it might be a good idea to tell the big mob to beat any poachers who were not only hitting the kicker, but sometimes showing up the competition. Suddenly the crowd attacked and began swarming. A pro tossed his board to them only instigating yet another brawl. Then came the snowballs. It was one side of the landing against the other with extra points if you hit a security guard.

"I found "Crazy Train" and congratulated him. I then proceeded to call him "Night Train" and eventually "Night Rider" until he ignored me and eventually left. I think he likes me..."

Then there was "Crazy Train". Some local lunatic who took off his shirt, strolled out on the landing to give the crowd a double fisted middle finger. Unfazed, Night Train dove down the landing bare chested and ran into the swirling mass with snow blowing sideways and security backing up against the push.

The finale came just before the last couple riders launched. The frenzied mob broke through the fencing and poured out into the finish area flailing and frolicking in a drunken dance. Bottles were everywhere, fireworks were going off, fights were erupting, and then last rider landed only a few meters away from the revelers.

Night Rider

Fun was had by all and everyone slid down into the little village of Stratton to "make party" international-style. I found "Crazy Train" and congratulated him. I then proceeded to call him "Night Train" and eventually "Night Rider" until he ignored me and eventually left. I think he likes me.

— Hans Prosl, giving fireworks to children for The Mountain Zone