NEWS: AST Halfpipe Qualifier by Lee Crane The 1998 American Snowboard Tour got of to foggy and freezing start Saturday December 14 at Sugarbush, Vermont as 91 men and 28 women attempted to grab a spot in the finals and possibly an invitation into next week's US Grand Prix in Sugarloaf, Maine. The Sugarbush pipe to nowhere. Originally, a two run qualifier and two run final were scheduled for today, however, the fog, blowing snow, and the number of competitors made a Saturday final impossible and organizers chose to move the finals to Sunday. Not many of the riders were too upset. "I didn't hear anyone complaining," said Vermont local Ross Powers "I think everyone was pretty much over it and ready to go in." Ross, not one to complain in any situation, ended up tied for the highest scoring qualification run with Chris Engelsman. Powers and Engelsman scored 32.4, however, powers technical merit score was high to he took the top spot. Snow continued to fill in the bottom of the pipe during the qualifying round . "It's really difficult to get any speed in this pipe," said Jeff Brushie, 1997 AST Halfpipe Champion. But a lack of speed didn't see to hurt Jeff as he finished third in the qualifier. The judges had their own little game of musical chairs going on as well. Because of the fog they were forced to move from the bottom of the pipe during the women's qualifier because they could no longer see the top of the pipe. Then as the men's event began it looked as if it would clear enough for the judges to move back to the judging platform at the bottom of the pipe. But that didn't last long. Moment's after the move a cloud bank slipped in and forced the judges back to the middle of the pipe where they could barely make out the start shack and the finish. Those watching from the sides of the pipe could only see about two hits up and two below before the riders disappeared into the fog. Luckily, everyone got to make one run. Moving the finals to Sunday has made it an interesting day for fourth place qualifier Travis McLain. As one of the top up-and-coming Alpine riders Travis will have to make two runs in the halfpipe and then head directly over to the GS venue where he will have to take two more runs. "Hey, I'll make a halfpipe run in my hardboots if I have to," McLain said during the riders meeting. "I'm doing both." In the women's division there was really no surprise. Tricia Byrnes survived the heavy weather and took the top spot followed by Kyla Dufy and Lauren Mollica. The AST Sugarbush Open will continue tomorrow with the Halfpipe and GS finals. AST Message Boards: Your area to spray about the AST AST '98: Sugarbush, VT. | Winter Park, CO. | Northstar-At-Tahoe, CA. | Bear Mountain, CA. | Mt. Snow, VT. (Championships) AST Info: For information regarding competing on the American Snowboard Tour Call: Tom Winters WCI Group (520) 750-0500 SOL NAVIGATION: SOL | Scoop | Hardware | Industry | Circleplus | Push | Travel | Interact | School | Weather | Terrain | Compete | Mediator © 1997, InterZine Productions. All rights reserved.