Big Air

"The Basich name claimed the top honors in men's and women's, with Mike and Tina each stomping the biggest and smoothest jump in their respective groups..."

The South Shore's Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, who have always opened their arms to snowboarders, for the fourth year provided the setting for the event, presented by Polo Sport, which featured some excellent spring season riding. A long and slushy halfpipe served as the stage for amateur and professional jam sessions — the lowest of keys contest format where riders go through the pipe at whatever pace they choose. People were dropping in two and three at a time, throwing some huge one-hitters, and otherwise jamming in the pipe as if it were a sunny Saturday afternoon (which is was). The Big Air contest has the same type of feel, although riders had to launch themselves off the super kicker one at a time. When you're flying 50 or 60 feet out and throwing rodeos and inverted sevens, safety first is the best policy.

Method

In the end, Kirk Warner, Jef Billo, and Mikko Jauhianen took the top spots in the men's half pipe. For the women, East Coast ripper Kyla Duffy took top honors, followed by South Lake local Kristie Elder-Ussher and Lindsay Pugh. In the Big Air competition, the Basich name claimed the top honors in men's and women's, with Mike and Tina each stomping the biggest and smoothest jump in their respective groups. Aaron Rains and Cyrus Briggs rounded out the men's group, while Lindsay Pugh and Sally Szymaniak.

Breast cancer facts: A woman dies of breast cancer every 11 minutes. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American women today. There are 1.8 million women in this country who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and 1 million more who do not yet know they have the disease.

In truth, though, no one seemed quite aware that a contest was going on. This is what makes Boarding for Breast Cancer a different kind of snowboard event. The riders were grinning as they launched large over the soft snow, spectators were creating small postholes as they danced in place to the beat, shirts were coming off, and long before the contest finished, the bro-down had long since begun. As Boarding for Breast Cancer is a fundraiser, the real winners here were the organizations the event benefits: the Breast Cancer Fund, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research. Over 5,000 people attended to help raise over $100,000 for these organizations. In the booth area by the base lodge, you could practice feeling a latex breast for lumps, or visit another booth site down for a free haircut and styling.

One of the main reasons for the success of BBC is that it has grown from within the sport of snowboarding. With help from manufacturers, resorts, music industry, and a slew of volunteers who donate incredible amounts of time and energy, the event is much more personal than a fundraiser.

One Eyed Beck

BBC began in 1996 to honor the memory of Bonfire Clothing's Monica Steward, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 26 and passed away two years later. Her memory, and her commitment to helping others fight the disease, elevates the event to a level tree owls and rain forests. It's about the people you know, and keeping them part of this world.

Shannon Dunn, who has been involved with BBC every year since its inception, put the day in perspective. "This event is about raising awareness, about letting people know that breast cancer can hit you even if you don't think you're at risk." Other pros out to sign autographs, ride, and hang out included Tina Basich, Circe Wallace, Michele Taggert, Leslee Olson, Nicole Angelrath, Ross Powers, and Andy Hetzel. During the autograph session at the Polo Sport booth, the effect of their participation in this event became apparent. Mothers and daughters, fans and fawners, dads and dudes all stopped by for a nod, a signature, or a chance to say hi. Snowboarding's ambassadors helped to galvanize the crowd around the causes of the day, and the notion that we all can make a difference.

— Jim Humes, MountainZone.com correspondent