By Jeff Galbraith

January 29, 2001

After twelve long yearsTemple wins the golden ducttape. Photo: Billy Miller

WHITE SALMON, WA - Before�Banked Slalom chieftess Gwynn Howat even began to announce his time, let alone his name,�the packed space of Mt. Baker's lower lodge erupted in celebration, as�longtime favorite and longtime�also-ran Temple Cummins�finally won the Men's Pro Division of the 17th Annual Legendary Mt. Banker Banked Slalom with a best run of 1:29. 57 seconds.

Behind the native champion, 22-year old Sylvain Duclos of Sameon, France maximized his frist-ever trip to Mt. Baker�for a silver duct-tape trophy.�Oregonians Josh Dirksen and Rob Morrow rode to third and fourth finishes respectively, and the ever-smiling, ever metal-horns throwing�Matt Goodwill from Everett, WA finished fifth.

Four-time champion and three-time consecutive champion Terje Haakonsen finished a suprise seventh, behind fellow Norwegian Arild Brun-Kjeldas. With a final chance to�continue the streak, Haakon approached the�last�big bank turn�in the lower "Toliet Bowl" zone of the course slightly high and outside. And although the disturbance was�minimal, it was enough to put him a second-and-a-half behind Temple Cummins, and the victory.

Barrett Christy and Shannon Melhuse in winners' jackets. Photo: Billy Miller

In the Women's Pro class, Vail's Barrett Christy beat out Victoria Jealouse by a full second for the win, and Seattle Snowboard Connection shop�rider Marni Yamada maintained her weekend-long composure to take third among the name-brand pro girls.

Basically, Temple and his girlfriend won, the cops have gone back to busting college kids, it's finally snowing like hell, and we're all drinking beers.

Final dispatch analysis and postlogue in the morning, like brunch-time.

Stay glued to the information superhighway: it's e-riffic and a great way to get rich!!!

All thoughts were with the late, great Scott Stamnes for making the Baked Salmon such a great tradition. Photo: Billy Miller