Sweet blue skies hung over the mountains for the halfpipe finals, just like the day before. We all met at the bar next to the gondola for a little celebration. Some riders left town early, but all the finalists were still hanging out. All kinds of spirits were put into the riders' bodies at yesterday's party and their boards were tuned this morning. Some of the female finalists were there, including Anne Molin Kongsgaard (NOR), Kjersti Buaas(NOR), Lisa Quirici(SUI) and the rest of the Satu Jarvela(FIN) gang, as well as Caroline Ehrenstrasser (AUT), who ended up 5th today. Max Plötzeneder met Fabien Rohrer for the first time in Whistler last year under some high tensions. That was in March. But yesterday at the bar they looked like old buddies. Both sitting there with a beer and a smile. That's what I recognized last before I left the bar with all kinds of spirits in me.

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Going up to the lift this morning I managed a coffee for free and met Andi Egger, former Duel Junior World Champion for the ride up. I didn't take my board up since my personal condition was definitely not for riding today. Andi's wasn't, either.

Last week I was with Andi Egger in Amsterdam. I hadn't seen him since I left him in Munich on Wednesday last week, before the Sölden comp. Then we met Maria Pfurtscheller(AUT) on the way up. Maria already had some plans to check the alpine for Sunday's race, and went up in the chairlift with us. When we reached the peak Dani Costantache had just finished his run in the semi-finals. After a cut down to 12, Max Plötzeneder missed the entrance into the finals by 0.1 point, but that's life. His wife was stoked and so was he, since he hadn't touched the snow since April.

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The women's competition has obviously gone up a notch since last year. Dorian Vidal(FRA), who came back to the ISF after a year in World Cup, ripped hard. So hard that nobody could get her. Nici Pederzolli (AUT) almost did, but ended up 2nd, just before Stine Brun Kjeldaas(NOR). Too bad Pauline Richot (SUI) bailed in the finals, since her training runs were cool to watch. Girls who try 7's rock, anyways. Nicola Thost's back-to-back's are hard core. But she was not here today.

The men's last heats were very pricey, with the how-is-this-going-to-end kinda feeling. A lot of good runs went down this pipe already but Daniel Franck (NOR) topped it with his final run and took everything. The men and women get two runs each, and the better one counts. The top two riders, Ross Powers (USA) and Franck, made it with their final run. It was a good day considering the high temperatures. Marius Sommer (NOR), who ended up 3rd, managed to ride without gloves.

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The Freestyle riders just went to pick up their prize money. For happy Ross in 2nd place it was $3000. I met him just a few hours ago in the gondola and he smiled when he thought about today. He's stoked, since he is out for just a few more days, before going to the Triple Crown over in Breckenridge, Colorado. The pipe there will go for $50,000, and that's another reason to ride. But after all, I think Powers enjoyed his time here, with everything that happened. Trevor Andrew got kinda sick a few days ago, but made it to the mountain today. I wouldn`t say he missed the contest; it was more that he enjoyed his freedom being a FREE-styler. And after all, rock stars never die.

So let's get back to earth and think about tomorrow. The alpine riders are all here already and just in a urgent need to represent. It will all come down in a GS, taking place Sunday. We will experience what can technically happen on a day like this, besides the race and the ranks.

That's all for today, the people from the riders meeting just came back. That one I missed for the article. The bar is waiting, and the Jungle Brothers are going to represent and give a gig tonight here in Laax.

— Nils, MountainZone.com European Correspondent