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Open Sesame
LIVE: March 16-19, 2000
[preview] [duel slalom] [big air] [halfpipe] [boarderX]
What we are about to experience is simply the biggest birthday party I've ever been invited to (or asked to go to, depending on how you look at it). In just a few days, the US Open turns 18.
Much has changed since 1982 when Stratton Mountain and Jake Burton Carpenter gave birth to The Open. Now, we carve on metal edges, hike in form-fitted boots, and a few riders choose to click in instead of strap on. Gone are the days of plywood decks, rope tows, and hand-shoveled halfpipes — snowboarding has matured.
In the early '80s, Board Daddy Burton was way ahead of his time. The first starting gate was an upside-down kitchen table and a Pipe Dragon was a medieval beast to be slayed (or a best seller at Headlines). Snowboarders were considered primates and duct tape held them to their boards, but he had a vision.
Nowadays, the skills on display fly well above those of the past. Riders are spinning faster, flying farther and charging harder, in hopes of bringing home the most prestigious title in snowboarding and perhaps a small fortune.
So, enough of the hype, forget the nostalgia — let's get down to business. On Friday, March 17, both the men and women will duke it out in the duel slalom, a side-by-side dash for the finish in hard boots on carving board. Then they get to go to a big 'ol party and blow off some stress.
Friday night is all about the night riders — launching BIG air under the lights. Who's the sick %&$! that didn't think launching HUGE was dangerous enough in the day time..."I don't know, I say we let 'em soar without being able to see the landing..." Great idea, Bob, make it so...
Saturday, both men and women will drop in, and launch well out of the newest Stratton sweetness, the superpipe. Many riders are psyched on the advent of the superpipe as it allows for more room and bigger airs due to steeper transitions. Let's hope Myles Hallen busts a 1080; he took it last year with a backside 9.
On Sunday, the sick boardercrossers will roller derby their ways down a mile-long course full of berms and turns, looked to elbow out the competition and get to the line first.
Just to shed some light on the vibe that surrounds this event, Kim Stacey and Tricia Byrnes blew off the World Cup finals in Livigno, Italy, (boring) to come to the Open (fun). Maybe Todd Richards put it best when he said, "We already have our Olympics, it's called The US Open."
Anyway, Barrett Christy, Stefan Gimpl, Tara Dakides and posse will all be here attempting to redefine AIR. On Sunday, the snowboard cross will leave you wide eyed and trembling. Roller derby with snow, berms, gates...
So, as the festivities go down, we're gonna celebrate. Wear your birthday suit, bring your party favors and help me eat this cake!
— Lucas Kane, sayin' Stop to Hans for MountainZone.com
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