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U.S. snowboarders set for competition
By Dennis Romboy
Deseret News staff writer
WHISTLER, B.C. — U.S. alpine snowboarders will not only challenge an international field of competitors but each other in several key races this season.
"There's kind of two games going on there. One is qualifying for an Olympic spot and another one is trying to win the race," said Peter Foley, U.S. Snowboard Team head coach.
The World Cup parallel giant slalom race scheduled to start late Monday morning on Blackcomb Mountain is the first of five qualification meets for the U.S. Olympic team. The second will be a Continental Cup at on the Olympic course at Park City Mountain Resort on Dec. 21.
Four men and four women from the United States will make the limited 2002 Winter Games field.
In two World Cup meets in Europe this season, Foley said, Americans have been riding well but not executing, especially in events like PGS. They'll get through the qualification round but lose in the head-to-head elimination round.
A rider, he said, will be "ruining" an opponent only to go off course or miss a gate.
"I think it's more of a confidence thing," he said.
Foley wants to see U.S. riders step up Monday, all the way to the medals podium. "I'd like to see us win something," he said.
Weather, which Foley called a "little worrisome" could be a factor as it has been the past two days for halfpipe riders.
Conditions at Whistler this weekend have been far from ideal. Heavy snow on Saturday canceled the halfpipe event and dense clouds shrouded it in Sunday's make-up contest. International Ski Federation (FIS) officials had riders start halfway down the pipe so judges at the bottom could see them.
Three Canadians emerged from the fog to sweep the men's halfpipe. Daniel Migneault, Guillaume and 1998 Olympian Mike Michalchuck finished 1-2-3. All three could be part of a formidable team for Canada in Salt Lake City next February.
Zach Horwitz, the only American to stick around for Sunday's halfpipe, squeaked into the finals after being the last rider to earn a second qualifying run. He wound up ninth overall after catching an edge on a Rodeo 900 on his last run of the day.
On the women's side, Japanese riders and prospective Olympians Yoko Miyake and Michiyo Hashimoto were first and second, while Dominique Vallee of Canada was third.
E-MAIL: romboy@desnews.com
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December 10, 2001
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