Steve Fisher, Hannah Teter lead Grand Prix pipe qualifier

Steve Fisher, Hannah Teter lead Grand Prix pipe qualifier{mosimage}BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (Dec. 18) – The U.S. Women’s Snowboard Team triumphed at today’s Chevrolet U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix pipe qualifier at Breckenridge. Four of the eight available final spots were snatched by the ladies: Hannah Teter (Belmont, VT) led the pack; Elena Hight (South Lake Tahoe, CA) landed 4th; Clair Bidez (Minturn, CO) was 6th; and Tricia Byrnes (Stratton Mountain, VT) made history by making finals across three decades of her life by placing 8th. Bidez’s only regret was the early start and corresponding early finish. “The pipe was so much fun I’m bummed we had to stop riding it at 9:00 a.m.”

The pipe was manicured within an inch of its life and the weather was all one can hope for- sunny Colorado bluebird. The combination seemed to work well for the ladies. Teter ran directly before Hight and said,” I had to really pump it up for her to follow.” Hight agreed, adding,” Hannah went right before me and did a great job of pumping me up.” When asked about the longevity of Byrnes, who turned thirty last month, Teter said “I think it’s cool ‘cause she is older and more smarter.” So there you have it; slaying the pipe and the English language all in one day. I love snowboarding. Really.

The U.S. Men’s Team was all over the qualifiers as well. Steve Fisher (Breckenridge, CO) didn’t disappoint; he logged his runs, then went home to rest for the night rail event this evening. “The pipe was good and I had a good heat.” Typical Fisher understatement. He won the day, beating the entire field of 98. When asked who to watch tomorrow – Fisher said, “Travis Rice (Jackson, WY) was surprising after not riding pipe for a few years. He killed it.” Rice took 3rd. Other U.S. Team riders who qualified for tomorrow’s Main Event were Tommy Czeschin (Mammoth Lakes, CA) in 12th, Abe Teter (Lake Tahoe, CA) in 13th and Luke Wynen (Mammoth Lakes, CA) in 14th. Just out of the running was Elijah Teter (Belmont, VT) in 17th.

Tonight the snowboard and greater Breckenridge communities will converge on the Riverwalk Center in the middle of Breckenridge’s downtown for the Night Rail Jam. The Halfpipe action resumes tomorrow at noon on Breckenridge’s Peak 8.

Chevrolet U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix
Breckenridge, CO
December 18, 2004
Women’s Qualifier
1.Hannah Teter, Belmont, Vt., 45.8
2. Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, Colo., 43.2
3. Soko Yamoko, Japan, 41.2
4. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, Calif., 41.0
5. Kelly Clark, Mammoth, Calif., 39.8
6. Clair Bidez, Minturn, Colo., 37.2
7. Naho Mizuki, Japan, 35.9
8. Tricia Byrnes, Stratton Mountain, Vt., 33.6

Men’s Qualifier
1. Steve Fisher, Breckenridge, Colo., 45.9
2. Jan Michaelis, Germany, 45.7
3. Travis Rice, Jackson Hole, Wyo., 44.7
4. Christofer Schmidt, Germany, 44.1
5. Ross Powers, South Londonderry, Vt., 43.2
6. Xavier Hoffman, Germany, 43.1
7. Justin Lamoureux, Canada, 42.1
8. Brad Martin, Canada, 41.7
9. Hugo Lemay, Canada, 41.7
10. JJ Thomas, Golden, Colo., 41.3
11. Keir Dillon, East Stroudsberg, Pa., 40.8
12. Tommy Czeschin, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., 40.3
13. Abe Teter, Lake Tahoe, Calif., 40.2
14. Luke Wynen, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., 39.8
15. Andy Finch, Fresno. Calif., 39.5
16. Vinzenz Lueps, Germany, 39.4