Johan Olofsson (Big Mountain)

Favorite Male Big-Mountain Rider

Age: 22

Sponsors: Burton, Spy

Riding Setup:

Board-Burton Supermodel 68

Stance-regular

Stance width-54 cm. or 21.5"

Stance angles-Front 26�31� Back 3�6�

Bindings-Burton CFX with skybacks and old buckle straps

Boots-Burton Freestyle

Advice: "Keep your eyes open for mad products in the near future as I'm taking one more step into the lab."

Awards Quote: "I'd like to thank all the riders for sending in their votes. I'd also like to thank Oden's Ladder for being there."

Peter Line (Center Spread)

Favorite Male Freestyle Rider, Video Part Rider, and Readers' Choice All-Around Male Rider

Age: 24

Sponsors: Forum, Four Square, GMC, Dragon, Thirty-two

Riding Setup:

Board-Forum Peter Line 154

Stance-goofy

Stance width-20.5"

Stance angles-Front 17� Back negative 12�

Centering-half inch more nose

Bindings-Forum Green

Boots-Thirty-two Peter Line

Advice: "Demo at the on-snow demos. Ask your shop for demo boards, and try your friends' boards out."

Award Quote: "The Riders' Poll Awards was a super fun time. It should have been done a while ago. What stoked me the most was that the snowboarders I ride with think I'm a good snowboarder too. My speeches where I pulled out the mic and started breakdancing were the best. I was a little drunk at the time."

Mark Fawcett (Freecarve/Race)

Favorite Male Racer

Age: 27

Sponsors: Sims, Hardcore, Da Kine, Briko, Catek

Riding Setup:

Board-Sims Daytona 162�172

Stance-regular

Stance width-20.5"

Stance angles-Front top secret Back top secret

Centering-not exactly center

Bindings-Sims Posi-link

Boots-Sims Fall Line

Advice: "Find something that matches your ability-a board that is 299 dollars with great graphics ain't gonna cut it for aggressive riders. The Daytona is made for aggressive high-speed riding. Be selective."

Awards Quote: "The award show was much more than anyone expected. I thought we'd be getting little bowling trophies at the bar."

Mike Michalchuk (Soft Boots)

Male rider with the Biggest Cojones

Age: 21

Sponsors: Salomon, Bonfire, Bakoda, Freewheelin, Oakley

Riding Setup:

Board-Salomon 159 or bigger for freeride 157 in Pipe with medium flex

Stance-goofy

Stance width-20.5"

Stance angles-Front 17� Back 15�

Centering-"Why not?"

Bindings-Salomon

Boots-Salomon

Advice: "Go to demos, try a couple of different boards. If you're going to spend a lot of money, you have to try them out first."

Awards Quote: "It's nice to see that everyone pays attention."

Betsy Shaw (Hard Boots and Bindings)

Favorite Female Racer

Age: 33

Sponsors: Burton, Dominator Wax, Okemo Mountain

Riding Setup:

Board-Burton Fusion 165

Stance-goofy

Stance width-18.5"

Stance angles-Front 45� Back 45�

Centering-depends

Bindings-Burton step-ins

Boots-Burton

Advice: "Don't buy a board that is too specialized. Don't get anything that is too soft. Burton's Supermodel is good, it can do everything."

Awards Quote: "The Riders' Poll award was the most important award of my career in snowboarding. My best friend Jenny Spencer flew in to party with me at the memorable and extravagant shindig. It's nice for the riders to get the recognition they deserve. I hope they [TransWorld] do it again. It was long overdue."

Dave Downing (Freeride)

Mr. Congeniality

Age: 30

Sponsors: Burton, Reef, Oakley, Nixon

Riding Setup:

Board-Burton Custom 156, 160, 164

Stance-goofy

Stance width-21"

Stance angles-Front 18� Back 3�

Centering-varies

Bindings-Burton

Boots-Burton

Extras-"Gotta have highbacks, everybody rides highbacks."

Advice: "Make sure the board fits your size, weight, and riding style. Adjustable bindings are key, look for forward lean. Try on a bunch of boots. Don't believe the hype. Boots and bindings are the most important thing."

Awards Quote: "I guess I'm a nice guy; I thought I was a jerk. I wish I was there. I'll be there next year ... unless there's powder."

Tara Dakides (Women's)

Favorite Female-Freestyle Rider

Age: 23

Sponsors: Sims, Sessions, Vans, Dragon, Active Ride Shop, ASS Industries

Riding Setup:

Board-Sims Enduro 149

Stance-"Straight forward like skis."

Stance width-20.5"

Bindings-Sims Posi-link

Boots-Vans

Advice: "Choose a board by graphics only. Ha, ha, ha."

Awards Quote: "[It was an] unbelievable night-very funny. Once I got on stage, a little alcohol combined with a little nerves resulted in me babbling on and on."

Shaun White (Kids)

(Shaun and his sister Kari announced the winners for Congeniality.)

Age: Twelve

Sponsors: Burton/Backhill, Arnette, Volcom

Riding Setup:

Board-Burton Punch 138

Stance-regular

Stance width-changing daily

Stance angles-top secret

Centering-"Yes, I know what that is."

Bindings-Burton "special"

Boots-Burton

Advice: "Get a Burton! Any snowboard with a funky name don't get, 'cause it's probably not a snowboard."

Awards Quote: "I talked onstage. It was fun. It was great that snowboarders could choose other snowboarders for nicest person on the hill."

Leslee Olson (Step-In Bindings)

Favorite Female Boardercross Rider

Age: 21

Sponsors: Burton, Arnette, Mount Bachelor Snow Resort

Riding Setup:

Board-Burton Custom 160

Stance-regular

Stance width-21"

Stance angles-Front 24� Back 6�

Centering-centered

Bindings-Burton Custom Freestyle

Boots-Burton

Advice: "Girls should try Burton's women's series, which are designed [specifically] for women. The Customs are good overall boards."

Awards Quote: "It was a good event that was a lot of fun and should happen every year. Everyone did a really good job. I'm surprised that I won, I haven't done that event much."

Shaun Palmer (Step-In Boots)

Favorite Male Boardercross Rider

Age: 30

Sponsors: Palmer Snowboards, Swatch, Spy, Specialized,

1-800COLLECT, Pro-Circuit, No Fear, Troy Lee Designs, and Champion Nutrition

Riding Setup:

Board-Shaun Palmer Carbon Circle, "Because it's a badass board." Stance-regular

Stance width-20.4"

Stance angles-Front 19.88� Back 7.33�

Centering-one inch back

Bindings-"Yes, with medium forward lean."

Boots-Vans ("Snug!")

Advice: "Buyers should really look at the product before they buy it-know more about how it's made and what they're really getting before they spend money on it."

Awards Quote: "Felt good to be the winner of the award after fifteen years of competition-still being in there."

Barrett Christy (On the Cover)

Readers' Choice All-Around Female Rider

Age: 28

Sponsors: Gnu, Oakley, One Ball Jay, Vail, Tag Heur, Nike

Riding Setup:

Board-Gnu Barrett Christy 148

Stance-"Goofy today."

Stance width-17.5"

Stance angles-Front 18� Back 5�

Centering-varies

Bindings-Burton Custom Freestyle

Boots-Burton Mystic

Advice: "Go to the cool demos that I have to go to, and ride a bunch of boards. Don't buy a board because of graphics. Get a board designed for the terrain you like to ride. Ask questions and talk to people, don't act cool like you know."

Awards Quote: "I felt like Carmen Electra and we were all playing dress-up for the night, pretending to be movie stars. We got big square glass awards that didn't break when I dropped it. It was very flattering."

Terje Haakonsen (Freestyle)

Favorite Male Pipe Rider

Age: 24

Sponsors: Burton, Volcom, Oakley, Reef

Riding Setup:

Board-Burton Balance 158, 160 and a Johan or a Custom 164 for deep powder

Stance-regular

Stance width-apart

Stance angles-Front 24� Back 12�

Centering-"Sure."

Bindings-Burton

Forward Lean-"Uh-huh."

Boots-Burton

Extras-"I like to have thick pants when I ride."

Advice: "make sure your board, boots, and bindings are comfortable, and experiment with your angles, stance, and forward lean."

Awards Quote: "I am glad to receive this award, as I haven't been a part of the �mini-pipe' tour. Thanks."

Shannon Dunn

Ms. Congeniality

Age: 26

Sponsors: Burton, Oakley, Nixon Watches

Riding Setup:

Board-Burton 149 Feelgood for the pipe and park, 155 for pow, and 160 in superpow.

Stance-regular

Stance width-19"

Stance Angles-Front 21��24� Back 6��9� "More angle in the pipe." Centering-Off

Bindings-Burton Custom Freestyle

Boots-Burton

Advice: "Consider your foot and overall size and weight as well as what kind of terrain you'll ride. You don't want too much overhang. Getting your equipment dialed is important. Boots should be comfortable, you don't want real bad heel lift. Make sure the straps on your bindings are supportive. It's good to be able to adjust your forward lean when getting started."

Awards Quote: "The Award's show was a fun time for all. The overdue event was put together well. It was nice to get dressed up and be acknowledged. It was made more special for me because it was for riders by riders. I can't wait to go again."

Morgan LaFonte

(Female rider with the Biggest Cojones)

Age: 31

Sponsors: K2, Spy, Da Kine

Riding Setup:

Board-K2 Synergy 155

Stance-regular

Stance width-"Okay."

Stance angles-Front 30� Back negative 3�

Centering-1.5" back

Bindings-K2

Boots-K2

Advice: "Don't go by graphics alone. Demo boards. Never get a board taller than you. Look for the sweet spot between your lips and nose. Look for flex. Like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, you want one that's gonna be just right. You don't want your boot to slop around in the binding, either. Research, read the brochures and the Buyer's Guide, and don't be afraid to pay the money for the pros' models. Most importantly-stop, look, and listen."

Awards Quote: "I hadn't a clue until K2 called. The Riders' Poll Awards is a fabulous idea, just like the Grammies or Academy Awards. I'd like to see new categories."

Karleen Jeffrey

Favorite Female Big-Mountain Rider

Age: 25

Sponsors: Burton, Dragon, Da Kine

Riding Setup:

Board-Burton Supermodel 159

Stance-goofy

Stance width-19"

Stance angles-Front 25� Back 10�

Centering-an inch back

Bindings-Burton Custom Freestyle

Boots-Burton's Drifter

Extras-"I'll let you in on a big secret of mine: I ride with custom orthopedic footbeds. It saves the knees."

Advice: "The right size is important. Comfort is key. A shorter softer board is good if you like jibbing. Boots are important along with comfortable bindings. The other key is to concentrate on the best possible setup."

Awards quote: "I was really shocked. It was an honor to win. I'm stoked to be recognized. I feel like my peers appreciate my style. I'm glad they can relate to my own different way."

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Nicola Thost

Favorite Female Pipe Rider

Age: 21

Sponsors: Nitro, Dragon, Volcom, Animal Watches

Riding Setup:

Board-Nitro Nicola 154

Stance-top secret

Bindings-Nitro XX

Boots-Nitro Thost

Advice: "The most important thing is to get a well-tuned board along with lots of motivation."

Awards Quote: "It's my mission to give 100 percent and to enjoy what I do. What keeps me going is the chance to inspire others. Thanks to all of you out there."

Name: Guy Deschenes

Age: Twenty

Years riding: Seven

Sponsors: Limited Snowboards, Arnette, Westbeach, Alternative.

French fries or French toast: "French accent."

Music: "Hip-hop."

Halfpipe or freeride: "Both."

Celine Dion: "Je l'aime!"

French tickler or French kiss: "Tickler, for sure."

Props: "Limited Snowboards and Powder Mountain Snowcats."

Name: Ian Roy

Age: 23

Years riding: Ten

Sponsors: Ride, Scott, Alternative.

French fries or French toast: "French toast."

Music: "Le beat."

Halfpipe or freeride: "Both."

Celine Dion: "Who's that?"

French tickler or French toast: "Whatever, it's all good."

Props: "Everybody for helping each other out, Ride, Powder Mountain Snowcats, Mom and Dad, and all the bros."

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