Adam Petraska

TELLURIDE, Colo.(April 8, 1999)-Over 350 international riders from 25 countries threw tricks in the halfpipe and raced head to head in the duel slalom during the second day of competition in the sixth annual International Snowboard Federation (ISF) Junior World Championships in Telluride. When the day was over, new champions from six different countries were crowned in both disciplines.

For the second year in a row Adam Petraska of the United States (Chester, Vt.) captured the gold medal in the junior men's (age 17-19) halfpipe competition, leading the United States team to a total of five medals for the day. Petraska used huge, powerful tricks and technically skilled style to edge out German rider David Benedek who turned in a smooth, super

Nevin Schwartz

technical ride. Bronze medalist Markku Koski of Finland also rode technically, using solid landings to give a strong overall impression. The field of 68 competitors in the junior men's division stoked spectators all day long, constantly throwing tricks used by the pros. Huge switch 720s, 900s, Haakon flips, Cripplers and McTwists were all frequently seen.

The United States team swept the junior women's halfpipe competition, taking home all three medals. Nevin Schwartz (Chester, Vt., rides for Okemo Mountain School) finished on top with teammates Catherine Neivis (Bronx, N.Y.) and Sara Thompson (Chester, Vt., rides for Okemo Mountain School) in second and third respectively.

The youth men's (age 16 and younger, based on birthdate) duel slalom competition saw rising star Alex Deubl of Germany narrowly defeated by Francois Boivin of Canada in the race for the gold. Deubl won the first fun,

but a bad start put him behind for good in the second. Boivin moves up to the junior division next year, forcing rising star Deubl to wait a full season before racing Boivin again. In his second Junior Worlds, United States rider Eric Warren (Bennington, Vt., rides for the Stratton Mountain School) defeated Marco Zingg of Switzerland for the bronze. One week earlier Warren was crowned Overall Combined Champion at the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA) Nationals which were also held in Telluride. The youth women's race for gold in the duel slalom proved anticlimactic as Liona Grossenbacher of Switzerland crashed into a fence during the first run and did not race the second, leaving Morgane Fleury of France to celebrate her victory with a slow, solo performance run in the second heat. Helene

Cloutier of Canada defeated strong, rookie racer Martina Egger of Austria for the bronze.

For both the men's and women's youth divisions the duel slalom was well set with lots of turns in the steep sections and faster sections in the flats. Despite the intense sun and warm weather, course officials did a good job using rakes, slide slippers and shovels to keep the playing field fair for all.