NEWS: Pipe Riders Rule During Practice by Shanti Sosienski The US Open Halfpipe BF (Before Fog). It would have been a TransWorld magazine cover shot smorgasbord at the U.S. Open pipe Thursday afternoon with riders from all over the world sliding in on the practice session, if the thick fog and on again, off again drizzle blanketing Stratton Mountain hadn't crashed the party. This didn't stop the all-star list of riders like Terje, Daniel Franck, and Todd Richards and next generation of rulers like Ross Powers, Trevor Andrew, and Michael Michaelchuck from jam sessioning all afternoon on a pathetically pocked and scarred halfpipe that knocked even the most experienced riders on their butts occasionally. New variations on tricks were definitely showing up along the regular bag o' rodeos. Mike Michaelchuck was throwing his triple overhead backside rodeos; Terje was simply dropping in on everyone and busting as huge as ever, then tacking in a most impressive manner; Daniel was consistently Daniel; Trevor was back in Burton-wear with his dangling suspenders; Ross Powers was pretty disappointed with the pipe and his riding and lay low today, Todd Richards was working on a new trick that looks something like a McTwist 900 with a nice stall in it. Keir Dillon getting lost in the fog of it all. On the Euro front Marius Sommers, Sebu Kuhlberg, Roger Helmstadstuden, and Guillaume Chastagnol were just a few of the familiar contest faces who showed up at the halfpipe. Gold medalist Gian Simmens was reportedly around, but didn't seem to surface at the narrow icy ditch today. On the American front Ron Chiodi, the Leines brothers, Rob Kingwill, Luke Wynen, Ian Spiro, John Sommers, and a strong showing of new faces on the Burton pro team jammed through the two hour practice. The halfpipe itself was not a pretty sight by the time the men's practice started. After a fairly mellow women's session that of course was very diplomatic and orderly, the men charged and within minutes the all-ready fragile halfpipe was showing holes and kinks. That didn't stop the full on assault though, and near collisions by the amped up group of riders kept everyone on their toes. The pipe seemed to be pretty good in terms of length, but the construction seemed narrow. The only theory on this is that the second day of cutting will open it up some. However, if the pipe remains as is, riders are bound to raise a few eyebrows. Already the new location of the halfpipe center stage on the front slope of Stratton, and the newly built structures everywhere have everyone a little uneasy about the outcome. Billy Anderson was not afraid of air time today as he boosted huge out of the not-so- very-boostable pipe. Add in the predicted rainy weather and the pressure some riders may be feeling after the Olympics, and it should prove to be an interesting day at the ditch in Saturday's finals. In the meantime, stay tuned as we update you on how the first round of elimination's go Friday. OTHER NEWS Zangerl and Rauter Take Duel Slalom Thu. (Mar. 19 @ 9:18:PM est) The 16th Annual US Open Snowboarding Championships - Schedule of Events Thu. (Mar. 19 @ 8:42:AM est) US OPEN PHOTO SPECIAL: Check out the latest and finest US Open Snapshots in the all new Photo Gallery Special US OPEN MESSAGE BOARDS: Got news or info about the US Open. Let us hear about it. US OPEN NAVIGATION: News | Results | Photos | Audios | US Open Index SOL NAVIGATION: SOL | Scoop | Hardware | Industry | Circleplus | Push | Travel | Interact | School | Weather | Terrain | Compete | Mediator