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During practice some of the women weren't making the transition, but that all changed when they decided to forgo the speed checks during the approach.

As the judging began, they women dialed it in and began launching 540s and straight airs with stylie grabs. Jamie MacLeod was smooth enough to take 1st in the women's division and as she snatched her award she yelled, "party hardy!" I think I spotted her in line at a bar just hours later — you go girl.

Second went to Tara Dakides, who's been gracing the podium all year due to her flawless spins and smooth grabs. Jessica Dalpiaz, another ripper who was crazy enough to launch the mighty kicker, took 3rd. This isn't freestyle — it's do or die.

"Ben Hinkley was possessed — he started off with a huge Lawn Dart followed by a double front flip that only a maniac would attempt..."

Although everyone was looking for a 1080, Jussi Oksanen's switch backside 900 was the score to beat. These super smooth, two-and-a-half turns lasted seconds and shook the crowd into a frenzy. Jason Borgstede answered back with a backside 900 but didn't switch it up and ended the night in 2nd. As he accepted his award, he gave the crowd a, "Whaazzzzup?!" Not much Jason, just watchin' the big air, drinkin' a Bud...true, true.

Third went to 18-year-old superstar Scott Arnold who nonchalantly accepted his award, thanked his sponsors and explained that he graduates from high school this year. He'll be back for more.

Ben Hinkley was possessed — he started off with a huge Lawn Dart followed by a double front flip that only a maniac would attempt. I would have put him on the podium, but the judges were looking for rotation, not my opinion.

Neil Goss won the big scare event; he caught an edge upon landing, slid down the transition on his back and lay motionless for minutes. He didn't move even as the announcers screamed, "Are you alright?" Eventually, the crowd cheered him to his feet and patrol helped his limp body stagger off the landing. He was walking, but I don't think he knew where he was.

During a break between heats, a crowd gathered in the middle of the gap. The flag was raised, Roman candle sparks were spraying the crowd, and somebody was slurring the National Anthem as a poacher in a Pink Panther suit came launching off the hit, just overhead, blasting through the fireworks. At this point, somebody said, "I want to thank Jake Burton for changing my life." Amen, brah! The poacher turned out to be Jonas Guinn in disguise.

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Travis Parker ended the 2000 big air event by spinning off the lip, through the grand finale of bottle rockets, and landing effortlessly on the icy transition. The crowd followed closely behind, sliding down the steep landing on their backs, racing for the warmth of their cars. No major chaos this year. Just some huge air and announcers dressed in green tuxedos. Who said snowboarders were punks?

The masses are still arriving and Stratton is busting at the seams — tomorrow's the halfpipe. Shaun White's mom wouldn't let him watch the big air because she feared a flying bottle would hit him — she was obviously there last year. That's understandable, but Mrs. White, your 13-year-old son is throwing 10-foot McTwists - that's not exactly safe, now is it?

— Lucas Kane, struttin' in Stratton for MountainZone.com