Les Claypool And Primus survived the storm, ignored the rain and got the drenched crowd to their feet.

Okay, so maybe the Gods weren't as happy with Boarding for Breast Cancer as we thought they'd be. The crowds arrived optimistic in the morning as the sun peeked through the fog, then by the afternoon the questionable weather turned into serious spring showers just before Primus took the stage. For a brief period Primus questioned the safety of performing, apparently there was fear of being electrocuted, but then cheering, soggy fans won out.

As Primus struck the first few chords, people began pouring out of the lodge, swarming to the stage. It was immediately evident that, like many music/snowboard events, people showed up more for the music than for the halfpipe contest or the big air. The lack of audience for the competitions can't necessarily be blamed on the people who attended the show, however. It seemed nearly impossible to determine when a contest was going on and when people were just practicing. It all just kind of happened. In fact, the snowboarding was so casual that the riders didn't even know they were being judged, especially in the halfpipe.

Competitors rode the halfpipe in jam sessions and practices runs through out the day, and at one point the judges began scoring the riders. That was the contest.

"I went out there today to just enjoy myslef," said women's halfpipe winner Cara Beth Burnside. " I didn't even know it was a contest. I was just riding. Is that the plaque we won?" she asked women's big air winner Katrina Warnick when her teammate walked up holding a big air plaque.

The contest results were rattled off following Primus. Then the crowd was told that that Luscious Jackson wouldn't perform. Everyone just started leaving. Rumors circulated that Luscious would play that night at a bar called Mulligan's.

So how was the halfpipe and big air? Cara-beth Burnside said the pipe was fairly kinked and soft, but it was fun anyway. Katrina Warnick said the jump was wet, slow, and dirty. Indeed it was. The rain really started pouring during the big air, causing spectators to head indoors and judges determined the winners after about fifteen minutes of hucking down the brown mountain.

"It was still really fun," said Salt Lake City resident and big air winner Katrina Warnick. "That was my first big air contest."

Warnick said she attended the event because she knew the importance of the cause. When she was younger she watched her best friend's grandmother die of breast cancer. "They were like my second family and so it effected me. Breast cancer effects all women to some extent because most people know someone who has had it."

All of the proceeds from today's event will be donated to The Breast Cancer Fund, a national non-profit organization dedicated to doing a better job of detecting, treating, and curing breast cancer through cutting-edge research and education programs.

For more information about how to get involved with Boarding For Breast Cancer next year, or to donate to the event please contact Tara GaNun at Fuse Sports Marketing: Phone: (802) 864-7123; Fax: (800) 864-2595; Email: [email protected].

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