Winners

Under a clear blue sky, the third and final stop of the Vans Triple Crown of Snowboarding finally had its moment in the sun. Saturday night's snowstorm buried the pipe here at Sierra-at-Tahoe, delaying the event by a day, which gave the competitors a chance to do some freeriding. Sunday consisted of epic tree runs and thigh-deep powder, but by Monday morning the competitors were amped for the hard, icy walls of the pipe.

"This was probably the steepest pipe that we've ever ridden in a contest. Definitely didn't need to pump that hard for speed. The walls were big, but there's a lot of transition, so it gives us a lot more places to land. I'm used to these pipes. It's hard for me to go back to the smaller pipes now," said Ross Powers who took first for the men.

"I tried not to think about it, I just went for it as usual and I'm stoked. I'm psyched now, it's an awesome truck...."— Ross Powers

Not only did he take home 10,000 duckets, but his win today declared him the men's overall points leader for the entire Triple Crown of Snowboarding tour. For this, he was rewarded with a shiny new Ford Ranger. Ross went home with a pocket full of coin and a sleek new ride — not bad for a day's work.

"After Phillipe grabbed that other first, that put a lot of pressure on me. The way I was riding this morning, I didn't know if it was possible to get top six with all the guys that were here. I tried not to think about it, I just went for it as usual and I'm stoked. I'm psyched now; it's an awesome truck," said Powers as he stood next to his new rig.

Dani Costandache stomped his first run of the finals and followed it with a clean second run. Hot on his heels was Guilliaum Morisset who also put up a good fight. All three of them earned their spots on the podium and certainly deserve their crowns.

Stine Brun Kjeldaas came all the way from Norway to bless the crowd with a picture perfect final run, which the judges scored highest. Stine's last cruise through the pipe included a frontside air, a backside air, a frontside 540 indy, a Japan air, and a cab. After the scores were awarded, she humbly said, "I did not expect to win. I am surprised that I am doing so well. I love coming over here - the way that everyone cheers for you during your run." This was her third Triple Crown event, and I'm guessing she'll be back for more.

	Stacey

In second place was American Kim Stacey, who caught her groove as the Beastie Boys were pumping through the PA system. Third was stolen by another Norwegian, Christel Thoresen, who stunned the crowd with huge air, smooth transitions, and flawless landings.

Although she wasn't on hand to receive her award, Ina Poetzl was crowned the women's overall points leader, which was well deserved after her third place finish in this week's snowboard cross. Her string of podium finishes throughout the Vans tour earned her an all-expense paid trip to Hawaii for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing competition on the north shore of Oahu. Her skills on the snow have earned her some time on the beach, drinks served with little umbrellas, and some tasty waves. Can I come with?

Midway through the event, one of the announcers said "you have to spin to win," and that's exactly what the riders did. Tommy Czeschin, who was in second place when the finals began, landed a 1080 at the lower end of the pipe. You do the math, that's three full rotations! Gian Simmen's hang time almost lulled you to sleep as he soared well above treeline. That much amplitude will drive any crowd wild. Tara Dakides, ruler of the big air, was the only woman to go upside down. She consistently landed back flips at the end of her runs and certainly deserved her fifth place finish.

Those who competed were hanging it all out in hopes of taking home a piece of the $200,000 Vans had put on the table. For the second time this week a cameraman was taken out by a speeding boarder but nobody was injured. Helmets aren't just for the riders, ya know.

Hats off to Steve Vans Doren, the hardest working man in show business. His comps attract the best riders in the world. The weather may attempt to cancel his events, but he has his own bag of tricks and if anyone deserves a crown, it's Van Doren.

— Lucas Kane, Going back to Cali for MountainZone.com