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Mens Halfpipe
We take a look at the three men named to the US Olympic Snowboard Team.
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(Jan. 22, 2002)------View Real Video - Click On Desired Bandwidth
Mens Halfpipe
The U-S -Snowboard Association has named six boarders to the US Olympic Team.
The team of three men and three women is a mix of newcomers and veterans.
Olympics Specialist Shelley Osterloh takes a look at the three men who represent the USA.
Ross Power is one of the most creative talents in Halfpipe. He started riding as third grader and competed in his first US Open when he was 9 as his fourth grade class watched.
As a freshman in High school he became the youngest national halfpipe champion.
And in the first Olympic Snowboard Halfpipe, he took bronze...now he wants gold.
Ross Powers Olympic Bronze Medalist: I'M JUST GOING TO GO FOR IT. I HAVE THE BRONZE, I'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE, JUST GO FOR ALL I GUESS.
Tommy Czeschin (Sheh sheen) is called the "The Machine" because of his consistency riding the pipe. He started competing when he was 16 and a year later, landed a spot on he US team. He says the Olympics give Snowboarding big exposure... and that gets more folks riding.
Tommy Czeschin/Halfpipe Rider: I HOPE A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCH IT AND ENJOY WATCHING IT, BECAUSE ITS COOL TO WATCH. EVERYONE SHOULD GET OUT THERE AND TRY, ITS A LOT OF FUN.
The two-time X Games medalist has upped his amplitude every season.... pretty good for a kid who started skiing at age three and taught himself to ride a snowboard.
One of the more progressive riders, Czeschin is among just a few that have pulled three spins in contests.
He's says the sport of snowboard halfpipe has come a long way in the last few years.
Tommy Czeschin/Halfpipe Rider: A LOT MORE SPINS, MORE FLIPS A LOT BIGGER AIR AND THE HALF PIPES HAVE ALSO CHANGED A LITTLE BIT THEY'VE BECOME A LITTLE BIT BIGGER, THAT ENABLES YOU TO CATCH MORE AIR, DO BIGGER TRICKS.
Shelley Osterloh: THIS SUPERPIPE IS REALLY BIG, WHEN RIDERS COME OFF THE LIP THEY ARE ABOUT 30 FEET OFF THE GROUND...THATS ABOUT 3 STORIES HIGH.
Perfect for Danny Kass who last season won the X Games, the U.S. Open and the overall Grand Prix Crown.
This 19 year old enjoys skateboarding and drawing. His artwork appears on his board. He likes to draw grim reapers. He usually listens to music when he competes... and was in a high school rock band called "Bent Metal." Kass is the lead singer.
Now he's hoping the music he hears... is the national anthem... played as an American gets the Olympic Gold medal in Halfpipe.
Each nation had to earn its Olympic quota based on
World Cup and Continental Cup snowboard events through this fall.
The U.S. ended up with the largest quota of any nation, and can field a team of up to 14 riders.
