Ross Powers drifting.

Under the lights at Copper Mountain Friday night April 17, 1998, Ross Powers showed yet again why he could be he most consistent halfpipe rider in the world, and Griselda Gonzalez put down runs that will scare women pipe riders around the world.

With a strange three-run elimination final format in which the field of sixteen was cut in half twice, Ross laid down three high-scoring runs to edge out Rob Kingwill by nearly four points. Matt Kass, Keir Dillon, and Chad Otterstrom where close behind.

"He beat me at the CBS event, then at the Nationals," said Kingwill. "I don't know what I have to do to get around him."

Powers was more casual. "I've just been relaxed at the last three contests and having fun," he said. "It seems to be working."

While Powers was a favorite, it was Matt Kass who surprised everyone by making it to the podium. All season Kass has ridden strong, but was never able to pull together consistent runs in the finals. Here at Copper he laid down three spectacular

The pipe.

runs which mixed his trademark Kass-a-roll with huge backside airs. "We all can do the tricks," Matt said. "It's just getting things straight in your head and being consistent."

Keir Dillon and Chad Otterstrom stayed right in the game until the final run when both folded on their landings. Otterstrom, the crowd favorite, was mobbed at the finish of his final run, lifted into the air and paraded through the finish area.

On the women's side Griselda Gonzalez blew the field away by three points. Her secret weapon? The melon 540 into a McSeven. Though Tina Dixon went big, and Tricia Byrnes rode consistently, neither could squeeze past Gonzalez. "This is the perfect way to finish off the season," Gonzalez said. "I'm getting married in June and this 3000 dollars is going to pay for the flowers."

In the chase for the overall competition, Chris Engelsman is still a favorite. He finished

Joe Curtes made the final, but Luke Wynen and Keir Dillon were on the bubble until the very end when Keir finished eighth, right in front of Luke.

sixteenth in the pipe, but has mass skills in both big air and snowboard cross so he should be a threat. Chad Otterstrom is extremely strong in big air, however, even he admits his snowboard cross skills aren't what they should be. "I think I'm just going to hang back and wait for people to crash," he said.

The Boarder Battle continues at 8 p.m. Saturday night with big air, followed by snowboard cross on Sunday.

Prize Money

Men
Ross Powers, S. Londonderry, VT, $5,500
Rob Kingwell, Jackson, WY, $3,000
Matt Kass, Hermosa Beach, CA, $2,000
Keir Dillon, E. Stradsburg, PA, $1,500
Chad Otterstrom, Breckenridge, $1,000

Women
Grieselda Gonzalez, Saratoga, CA, $3,000
Tina Dixon, Salt Lake City, $1,500
Tricia Byrnes, New Canaan, CT, $1,000
Jennifer Sherowski, Edwards, CO, $ 750
Janka Flaska, Avon, CO, $500

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