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Paul Mitchell American Snowboard Tour Giant Slalom
Adam Smith Takes Opening AST GS at Snowmass, Co.
(1-22-99)
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| Boader Cross Story |
Halfpipe Story |
After the first run on Banzai Ridge it was pretty evident that 18-year-old Adam Smith of Bend,
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Adam Smith on his way
to the fastest first run time.
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Oregon was the man to beat in Giant Slalom at Snowmass, Colorado. His first run time was
one-and-a-half seconds ahead of the closest rider.
"I had a good first run and I knew that I had a little bit of time to work with on the
second run," Smith said. "I just had to stay consistent."
In the second run Canada's Ian Hadgkiss turned in a blisteringly fast run of 49.81 and
momentarily
took the lead. A.J. Johnson, who had finished second in the first run came close with
a 50.54.
Adam Smith, however, turned it on again and a 50.22 to win by nearly two seconds.
On the women's' side Louisa Muir of New Zealand smoked the field. In the first run she was
ahead of the next closest competitor by nearly six seconds. In the second run she took it easy.
"I was just saying to myself to back off and ride more cautiously," she said. "I had such a
big lead from the first run that I knew that I just had to finish with a okay time."
onservatively and still recorded the fastest second run time to
finish six seconds ahead of Alexis McGinness. "I'm happy," she said. "This money is
going to allow me to do the rest of the tour."
The American Snowboard Tour continues tomorrow with BoarderCross, where Adam Smith is a favorite again. He placed second in the BoarderCross at the Copper Mountain Grand Prix earlier this month.
The halfpipe is scheduled for Sunday.
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