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U.S. snowboard team produces dramatic contest
By Dennis Romboy
Deseret News staff writer
BRECKEN-RIDGE, Colo. — The ride to the 2002 Winter Games began Sunday for the U.S. snowboard freestyle team after a dramatic halfpipe contest that brought cheers, tears and perhaps a glimpse of big things to come.
Entering the tense final Olympic qualifying event, at least six men and four women had shots at going to Salt Lake City next month. Some had to win, while others just had to place or show.
After final scores were crunched based on riders' two best results over the five U.S. Grand Prix contests, Danny Kass and Tommy Czeschin made the men's team and Tricia Byrnes the women's. They join Ross Powers, Shannon Dunn and Kelly Clark, the hottest U.S rider with her third consecutive win Sunday. All three clinched spots earlier.
And with his spectacular win, J.J. Thomas earned a fourth men's spot should U.S. coaches decide to use it. Snowboard head coach Peter Foley said he "just couldn't foresee that we wouldn't do that."
Foley liked the way riders like Thomas stepped up Sunday with some huge runs under pressure, the intensity of which will only be magnified on the world stage in February.
"I think we got a team that definitely has a lot of (medal) potential. There's (international) riders out there that are doing runs at that level as well. It's not like it's a given by any means, but we've got the skills to do it for sure," he said.
Even the usually carefree Kass fought through the nerves to make the team.
"I'm looking forward to going to the Olympics to see what it's all about," said the only rider to do a 1080-degree spin, a difficult trick that could wow Olympic judges.
Snowboarders let it all hang out on the cold, snowy day with their runs and their emotions.
It was pure elation for Golden, Colo., resident Thomas, who with an enthusiastic home crowd giving him a boost, had a soaring run that Foley deemed worthy of Olympic gold.
Thomas, who had to win to qualify, pulled off flawless McTwists (540-degree rotational flips), a 900-degree spin and launched himself high above the lip on his straight airs.
"It just came from deep inside me. I've been wanting it for so long. It just happened," he said.
For veteran rider Tricia Byrnes, the day was bittersweet. She edged good friend Gretchen Bleiler for the remaining women's spot despite twice slamming the deck attempting a McTwist.
"I just knew however it ended up today, I was going to be bummed," said Byrnes, who broke down crying after the meet. Bleiler was there to console her.
The pair rode even through the five Grand Prix contests. Byrnes earned the Olympic berth through a series of tiebreakers that went to the last one, current world ranking. Byrnes is 10th, Bleiler 11th.
Byrnes did manage to get out that she was "stoked" despite her mixed feelings.
The pain Sunday wasn't just emotional.
Czeschin separated his shoulder while crashing on his first run. He was to have it X-rayed but expected to not miss any training. "I'm super excited just to be able to participate in the Olympics."
E-MAIL: romboy@desnews.com
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