Ott, Mendoza Top Americans In World Cup Slalom Finals

MT. BACHELOR, Ore. -- Hometown favorite Lynn Ott (Bend, Ore.) and Manuel Mendoza (Whitefish, Mont.) captured the top American finishes for men and women in the slalom at the FIS Snowboard World Cup Finals at Mt. Bachelor, Ore. Friday. Ott finished ninth, while Mendoza finished fifth.

"I pretty much just rode my heart out," said Mendoza, whose won a World Cup slalom earlier this season in Zauchensee, Austria. "It's the last slalom of the year, and I really wanted a top finish. I had one little mistake at the top that definitely cost me a podium finish, but I'm happy -- it's still a good way to end the year."

Karine Ruby of France won the women's slalom, with Heidi Renoth of Germany in second and Austria's Birgit Herbert third.

"I love this course," said Mendoza. "I rode here last year, and started way back in the 50's and ended up 11th. So it was the same hill, and a nice sunny day -- I was just glad to be back here in Bachelor!"

"My first run didn't go so well -- I was 14th after my first run," said Ott, whose ninth place finish on Friday is her best World Cup slalom result. "But on my second run, I seemed to pull it around, and ended up being eighth today. The second run was a little bit straighter -- it was my type of course, and I just let it run. I'm pretty excited about it -- this is my best World Cup slalom finish."

The World Cup finals continue on Saturday with the men and women's parallel slalom event. The finals wrap up on Sunday with the men and women's halfpipe.

World Cup Finals

Mt. Bachelor, Ore.  
Friday, March 16, 1996
Slalom 
Men:
1. Stefan Kaltschutz, AUT, 1:19.99
2. Peter Pichler, ITA, 1:20.42
3. Maxence Idesheim, FRA, 1:20.72
4. Ivo Rudiferia, ITA, 1:20.74
5. Manuel Mendoza, Whitefish, Mont., 1:20.76
OTHER U.S. RIDERS: 
8. Mike Jacoby, Hood River, Ore., 1:21.87
14. Anton Pogue, Hood River, Ore., 1:25.06
15. Tom Lyman, Whitefish, Mont., 1:25.44
16. Bill Enos, Waterville Valley, N.H., 1:25.81
19. Steve Persons, Whitefish, Mont., 1:27.27
21. Antonio Davila, Flagstaff, Ariz., 1:31.55
Did Not Qualify For Second Run: 
30. Nathan Galpin, Ketchum, Idaho
31. Rob Berney, Whitefish, Mont.
35. Christ Anderson, Eugene, Ore.
37. Don Nyberg, Squaw Valley, Calif.
39. Ryan Mullen, Campton, N.H.
40. Dave Daluiso
41. Peter Rubincam, Sun Valley, Idaho
DNF: Mike Grasso, Waterville Valley, N.H.
DSQ: Tom O'Brien, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Women:
1. Karine Ruby, FRA, 1:24.38
2. Heidi Renoth, GER, 1:25.19
3. Birgit Herbert, AUT, 1:27.31
4. Dorothee Fournier, FRA, 1:27.77
5. Tanja Fischer, GER, 1:28.59
U.S. RIDERS: 
9. Lynn Ott, Bend, Ore., 1:32.64
10. Sondra Van Ert, Ketchum, Idaho, 1:33.73
Did Not Qualify For Second Run: 
19. Erin O'Mally, Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
21. Jennifer Hicks
23. Jeanne Pogue, Hood River, Ore.
24. Maria Bruno
26. Kim Vandersyde
27. Anita Tsuchiya
28. Susan Connolly, Copper Mountain, Colo.
29. Heidi Calkins, Bend, Ore.
World Cup Standings -- Slalom/Parallel Slalom
Men:
1. Stefan Kaltschutz, AUT, 5610
2. Peter Pichler, ITA, 5520
3. Ulf Maard, SWE, 4710
4. Dieter  Moherndl, GER, 4660
5. Thedo Remmelink, NED, 4610
U.S. RIDERS: 
11. Mike Jacoby, 3920
12. Manuel Mendoza, 3200
15. Tom O'Brien, 2034
16. Steve Persons, 2030
19. Jeff Greenwood, Granby, Conn., 1836
22. Anton Pogue, 1566
30. Antonio Davila, 866
31. Bill Enos, 754
36. Rob Berney, 479
40. Tom Lyman, 343
48. Dave Lewis, 228
52. Don Nyberg, 166
60. Rob Kingwill, Jackson, Wyo., 110
63. Nathan Galpin, 102
75. Christ Anderson, 40
85. Ryan Mullen, 20
92. Dave Daluiso, 11
93. Peter Rubincam, 10
108T. Mike Grasso, 4.
Women:
1. Karine Ruby, FRA, 9600
2. Manuela Riegler, AUT, 5380
3. Marcella Boerma, NED, 5140
4. Birgit Herbert, AUT, 4970
5. Tanja Fischer, GER, 4810
U.S. RIDERS
7. Stacia Hookom, Edwards, Colo., 4550
12. Sondra Van Ert, 3210
16. Lynn Ott, 1850
21. Erin O'Mally, 1180
25. Ashley Rice, Santa Ynez, Calif., 640
32. Jeanne Pogue, 390
34. Jennifer Hicks, 340
42. Maria Bruno, 190
45. Susan Connolly, 140
47. Kim Vandersyde, 130
58T. Anita Tsuchiya, 45
61. Heidi Calkins, 36.