WILMINGTON, New York ??\u0432\u0402\u045c The Torino Winter Games showcased a U.S. Snowboard Team that turned bodies upside-down and heads inside-out with their medal-winning efforts and stylish form. Now many of those same athletes, joined by their international snowboard brethren, will do the same at Whiteface from March 9-12 during the State Farm U.S. Snowboard Cup, part of the Nokia World Cup tour.<\/p>\n
One highlight will be the snowboardcross rematch between gold medalist Tanja Frieden of Switzerland and Lindsey Jacobellis of the United States. At the recently-concluded Winter Games, Jacobellis, who took silver in this event, seemingly had the gold medal in her pocket only to see the Swiss Miss grab it from her.<\/p>\n
In addition, Olympic champion Seth Westcott (SBX), silver medal winner Gretchen Bleiler (halfpipe) and bronze medalist Rosey Fletcher (parallel giant slalom) ??\u0432\u0402\u045a Americans all ??\u0432\u0402\u045a are amped to bring their winning style to Whiteface along with the Schoch brothers of Switzerland. Philipp took gold and Simon the silver, both in PGS. Teammate Daniela Mueli won the women’s PGS. This group will be challenged by riders from 20 nations. <\/p>\n
Jasey Jay Anderson of Canada with the Delarue brothers of France ??\u0432\u0402\u045a Xavier and Paul-Henri ??\u0432\u0402\u045a hope to challenge Westcott in SBX.<\/p>\n
In addition, halfpipe gold medalist Hannah Teter from nearby Vermont, who is not scheduled to compete, will come to the North Country to meet her fans.<\/p>\n
Hosted by the U.S. Snowboarding in conjunction with the New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), the competitions on the 1980 Olympic mountain get underway with the PGS on Draper’s Drop, Thursday, March 9. Qualification begins at 9 a.m., leading up to the 1:00 finals. <\/p>\n
The action resumes Friday, March 10, with all day halfpipe qualification on the Bear trail starting at 8:45 a.m. After the cut is made, the halfpipe finals are slated for Saturday, March 11, at 1 p.m. Saturday commences on the Boreen trail with women’s qualifications for the unpredictable SBX ??\u0432\u0402\u045a roller derby on snow – on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
The popular quarterpipe competition, which stoked the participants in its debut last March, is scheduled to return on Saturday night from 7-9 p.m. on the infield of the Olympic Speed Skating Oval on Main Street in Lake Placid. This free, two-hour spectacle will begin with live music by the North Mississippi Allstars at 7 p.m. before the athletes take center stage. Bulleted like a water skier into the pipe by snowmobile, the boarder releases the rope and tries to go HUGE up the 30 foot wall of the quarterpipe in the ultimate dash for cash. Spectators can meet some of the Torino Olympians during the evening. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks display above the complex. <\/p>\n
The men’s SBX qualifications start on Sunday, March 12, at 9:30 a.m. to be followed by the men’s and women’s SBX finals at 1 p.m. <\/p>\n
Lift ticket information is available for the Whiteface \/ Lake Placid region’s final World Cup event of the season by logging on to www.whiteface.com<\/a>. For lift and lodging specials, check out www.lakeplacid.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n The Ultimate Winter Passport could be a guest’s ultimate ticket to paradise. For just $163, get three lift tickets for Whiteface as well as an adult group lesson, skating on the Olympic Oval, $10 discount on a bobsled ride, an afternoon cross country ski pass and entry into the Olympic Museum and ski jumping complex. This can be purchased at any ORDA venue as well as the ORDA Store at 6 Main Street in Lake Placid.<\/p>\n Patrons will be able to ski and ride Whiteface as well as access the competition courses. Spectators may also employ the two-heel method to arrive at the PGS and SBX finish areas free of charge.<\/p>\n More volunteers are needed in a variety of areas. Anyone interested should call Marilyn Lamiman at 1-800-462-6236 x 286.<\/p>\n For more information on the State Farm U. S. Snowboard Cup, please log on to www.whitefacelakeplacid.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n NBC will air coverage of this event on Sunday, March 26, at 12:30 p.m. ET.
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