CyberWill Does the USASA Nationals at Big Bear and Snow Summit
I was in Group 1 which moved around each day with Group 4. I could only get images and stories from these Groups. It seemed to the competitors that the other Groups were not even there until the closing ceremonies (and the opening ceremonies had a few hundred present). The following are the highlights of the week for Group 1.
March 26, 1997
SLALOM
The weather was very nice. The race hill (Snow Summit Miracle Mile) was not very steep but fairly long and all right for a national final race. Right in front of the lodge made it pretty easy for a lot of family and friends to watch. The course had good flow with only a couple critical turns to see who was paying attention. It seemed that the competitors that put together 2 solid runs found themselves on the podium this afternoon (including me; got 2nd).
March 27, 1997
GIANT SLALOM
Another beautiful day dawned with slightly cooler temps and a little bit of wind to help cool the hazy Southern California sun shine. The GS course was long, pretty steep, and curvy with some interesting roll offs to steeper sections. The snow was softening pretty fast, but it held well enough to make it through the 1st run without any chemical help. The sun was doing it's work on the snow as they set the second course; so the Bear Race department broke out some of their limited supply of fertilizer. By the time the fastest riders came through, the second run was totally treacherous with chattery potassium phosphate created ice . It seems that the race dept. had got the record keeping problems of yesterday resolved, but still were losing some times in the 2nd run. Forcing several (including myself, CyberWill) to make another run through the really tough course on tired legs.
The competitors in a national event deserve a consistent experience. To achieve that there needs to be enough experienced staff, equipment, and standard procedures (like back up timing and record keeping). All concerned really work hard to make these events happen and being the worlds largest snowboard contest; one would expect to have problems. Rest assured that the USASA will do it's best to a just to it's growing pains.
Darren Mattingley of the master men was the man to beat this day.
March 28, 1997
Slopstyle
Another clear day dawned much too early (had been up until 2am uploading the previous days results to the USASA web site), so I did not have time to make any full speed practice runs before they closed the course and I missed the best part of the shabby breakfast. We could not board down the side of the course due to lack of snow. Which forced many of us to wait around for our run longer than we usually would. And wait we did. So many competitors and a pretty long course made it take a real long time. By the time we (the legends) made our run, we were almost in the fossil division. I feel sorry for the judges for having to pay attention for soooo long. That probably explains why it appeared that rolling the windows down, not landing in the transitions, not grabbing, spinning 200 to fall, and putting your hands down was the style that the judges were looking for (other than the guy that got 1st [and the guy in 2nd had a pretty clean nice 2nd run]; the results seemed strange). I respect the valiant efforts of these really nice guys, but really would prefer to be beaten by runs with better style and execution. But as Glen Caulkins (one of our fellow competitors, after experience another judging crock [see below]) said something like this "It is better to just let it fall as it may and let it all work out in the long run." Yea; and I might add that it is best to just share the experience and take opportunities like these to make new friends.
March 29, 1997
HALFPIPE
The sun shined hard again with only one solitary cloud to break the weathers monotony. The temperature started at around
40 F and got warmer until the late afternoon. The snow had setup pretty well for how warm it was, but loosened up real quick in the warm spring sun. The pipe was in good shape and held up well enough for the 2 runs; even though a little dirt and rocks did surface in the late afternoon. Shaun White was impressive with the highest score in the grommet boys and the highest score of the day. Kevin Kasak of the master men collected 1st in his division and got the 2nd highest score of the day by going rather large. I got there for a 7am to practice; feeling so much better after a full nights sleep. The pipe was nice and I was feeling "on" on this day. Sometimes it is hard to see yourself in perspective, but I think I came up on top by going a bit larger than my competitors with cleaner grabs and such with an all right spin score. Add it all up and I guess it was just my day. It was unfortunate that Glen Caulkens did not get a spin score on his 1st run, when I saw him do a half cab to start his run. Another judging error that gets added through. I wish they would go back to the old judging format that dropped the high and low judge of a 5 judge panel with each judge giving an overall impression. When one judge makes a mistake, it would not affect the fair outcome. Now when 1 judge makes a mistake, it usually affects the results.
