3.24.97
 Barrett Christy can call it a freestyle sweep. She won the halfpipe on Saturday and the Big Air on Sunday with a huge backside 360 with a stomped landing. |
The temperature probably never got above 13 degrees at Stratton on Sunday, but that didn't seem to stop a huge crowd from gathering at the face of the mountain for the big air demo. A handful of the top acrobats launched themselves for two hours off of a large snow pile to an icy run out for a crowd that seemed larger than the previous day's at the halfpipe.
Barrett Christy saw her second victory of the weekend after she spun a backside 540, with Jaime McCleod coming in at second, and last year's US Open winner Carabeth Burnside coming in at third. Jason Borgsteade from California took first in the men's big air, to the surprise of many, beating out Peter Line and Jaime Lynn who both pulled incredible 900's, but still took second and third.
It wasn't only the winners who were flying high in the contest though. Dave Lee pulled a nice rodeo, landing with a bit of a wheelie in the run out. Jennie Waara launched the hugest backside three after two gnarly falls that left not only she, but the crowd also, gasping for air. Mike Biello did an incredible double backflip that left people saying he had time to pull a triple it was so smooth. Vermont local Dick Nessover pulled an impressive switch backside 540 showing the crowd that he loves the Ice Coast.
Ride's Joel Mahaffey had a rough day in the big air never really stomping any of his jumps, which Morrow rider Billy Anderson said can be attributed to his bib number. "He's freaked. In New Zealand when he slammed the serial number on his board was 666, now his bib number is 66." Better luck next time Joel.
The Pipe After Scene 3.23.97
Barrett Christy Gets Her First Open Win 3.22.97
Todd Richards and the Haak Duel It Out In the Pipe 3.22.97
Ian Price Repeats, Lisa Kosglow and Brigitte Koech Share Super G Wins 3.21.97
Chris Klug and Brigitte Koech Take First In the Duel Slalom 3.20.97