BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (Dec. 16) - U.S. Snowboarding pro and Breckenridge local
Steve Fisher owned the village downtown Saturday night to win the Paul Mitchell Progression Session quarterpipe and an automatic ticket to The Oakley Arctic Challenge (TAC). Fisher ruled the jam format session boosting a barrage of tricks including a big corked frontside 720, backside 540 and a pair of 900s for the $5,000 payday
"The quarterpipe was solid and it was a great scene," said Fisher, who received at least five rips into the 30-foot feature via snowmobile tow-in, "I was totally mobbed after I won, the crowd nabbed by hat, my goggles and they were going for the paycheck, but I'm keeping that one. The entire town came out for it, at least 5,000 plus people."
As the only North American qualifier for the TAC, the Chevrolet U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix exhibition also served as a golden ticket to Norway for Kevin Pearce (Norwich, VT) and halfpipe winner Danny Davis (Highland, MI)
The TAC, hosted by Norwegian snowboarding icon Terje Haakonsen, will take place in early March.
"It is always fun to win a free trip to Norway," added Fisher, who will be making his third trip to the prestigious event. "And winning in my hometown was pretty awesome. They put on an amazing event and it was really fun to ride tonight. There was no shortage of big air hucking, that's for sure. I think we topped out at around 25 feet (above the lip) or so, but everyone was going off - it (The Arctic Challenge) definitely added to the energy of the contest."
Fourth place finisher Scotty Lago (Seabrook, NH) also cashed in on the evening, stomping a double corked backside 1080 to win the Rip-It Energy Drinks Trick of the Day award of $2,500.
"I had a great time, everyone was riding really strong and having fun, that's what it's all about," said Lago, the last world quarterpipe champion (the event was canceled after the '04 season). "I really wasn't going for the win, I was going for the best trick the entire time."
CHEVROLET U.S. SNOWBOARD GRAND PRIX
Breckenridge, CO - Dec. 16, 2006
Men
1. Steve Fisher, Breckenridge, CO
2. Kevin Pearce, Norwich, VT
3. Danny Davis, Highland, MI
4. Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH
5. Elijah Teter, Belmont, VT
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Women
1. Meg Pugh, Government Camp, OR
2. Elena Hight, South Lake Tahoe, CA
3. Tori Carrigan Koski, Steamboat Springs, CO
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Rip It Best Trick
Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH, double corked backside 1080
Last years champ Kevin Pearce, got 2nd this year