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Justin Reiter leads the U.S. Matthieu Bozzetto of France continues his hot start this season winning the men's PSL in Nendaz, Switzerland. For story and complete results go to: http://www.nessg.com/2007reiter_nendaz_psl121607.shtml

JEEP KING OF THE MOUNTAIN SBX - Telluride, CO Dec. 16, 2007 Men - Shaun Palmer, S. Lake Tahoe, CA Women - Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, VT For story and full brackets go to: http://www.nessg.com/2007palmer_jacobellis_sbx_121607.shtml

Brad, Thanks for sharing. Very sorry. I have five kids 23 to 14. Regardless of how old or independent they get, as you noted, they still are your "baby." As you sit there and spoon feed him, the moment and the activity work to underscore that reality. As with many others on this post, you and your son are in my thoughts and prayers.

You may not be able to take part in the first event if you do not have your membership in order. Check out the Q&A below. There are some links to the membership pages below as well. Q. How long does it take to get a membership processed? Depending on the time of the competition season, it can take up to two weeks from the time we receive the paperwork in our office. Memberships are processed in the order received. Please submit your application early, allowing ample time before your event to insure that your membership is processed. Q. Can I sign up at an event on the day of the race? Some event organizers do let you sign up on the day of the race, but there is no guarantee. It is much better to submit the paperwork directly to us to avoid problems and delays in the processing. Q. Do I need to add the Rush Fee? If you need your membership processed quickly you have the option of including a rush fee of $25, which will insure that it is processed within one-two business days. The rush fee only applies to processing of the membership. There is no option to rush the delivery of a membership card or bonus packs. However, once processed you may download a membership verification letter by clicking here. Click on the highlighted membership number that will appear. This will bring up the verification letter, which you can print. FAQ Link: http://www.ussa.org/magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/formembers/membership/faq/generalfaq.html New Member Information http://www.ussa.org/magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/formembers/membership/becomeamember.html

I do agree with Phil on the point that riding the same public course over and over again in the end will get you good at that course only, of course the same can be said for riding on the same WC course, tree lines, or park jumps repeatedly. Variety is a good thing. I can't speak for Utah or Colorado, but in the East places like Bromley, Killington Bear Mountain, and Okemo have public courses, two of which some of the USASA series use for their SBX events. Granted, they are not at a USASA Nationals course level, but new racers can make some strides in that direction. Personally speaking, having the ability to come out of a gate, ride some banked turns, hit some jumps and the like, even on a lesser course helped me transition from nothing to a little bit of something, and in turn helped me prepare to race on a Nationals course. Clearly USASA (series) or public type courses will only act as a primer for someone new to the sport. And as is the case with any skill sport variety is important. So Phil makes a good point. If you're skilled enough to race through the forests, and lands big jumps in the terrain parks, then cutting your teeth on a USASA (series) or public type course probably won't do much good for you. If you're someone like me who had zero background in such things, overcoming the small stuff gave me the confidence to try bigger and more difficult stuff. When I was younger, as an athlete I attended camps where I received training from Olympic and World Champions. In every instance they encouraged me to start small and work up. Later when I began training others, I followed their pattern of start small, establish confidence, and build from there. Perhaps encouraging you to start small and work your way up was the wrong advice for someone just getting started in SBX.

Any idea what he likes on soft snow? Will he continue using F2 on soft and kessler on hard?

The additional inches must reflect the high heels.

I would recommend checking all the ski areas and resorts in your general area (locations you are willing to drive to). Some (but not many) mountains are opening SBX courses for the public. I would look into those mountains hosting USASA SBX events first as they have to build a course for the event and they may just build it early and allow the public to ride it. If you can find on, then you'll have an opportunity to practice on the real thing. I would strongly recommend taking it easy on the jumps. FACT—EVERY TIME I have gone to a public course I've seen people hauled off on stretchers. Don't forget at the 2006 World Cup SBX event at Lake Placid a Swedish snowboarder Jonatan Johansson, who was good enough to finish 12th in the 2006 Olympics, died while practicing a jump on the course. In fact at the Dominator Wax clinic held at Springfield, MA on Monday, Dr. Thanos Karydas (owner of Dominator Wax) was talking about it. We were discussing the importance of wearing helmets at the time. He was there when it happened. He said the course was not a bad course. It sounds like a simple miscalculation on the part of the rider. So while you’re in the early stages of learning and even racing, don’t set yourself up for failure by not giving yourself enough time to mature on that sort of terrain. Also I recall, US Olympic Team SBX racer Jayson Hale crashed during a training run a few days before the event and tore an ACL. This put him out of the competition. Granted the course they set up for the Olympics was far more demanding than any public or USASA course you’re going to ride. But the point is, even very experienced pro racers get hurt or even worse on SBX courses. So have fun, work hard, but remember, but start slow and carefully build your skills. I’m not sure what anyone else does while practicing, but when I’m practicing on a SBX course, I wear my SBX helmet and back protection. At the events I’ve raced in, it seems all the adult riders had a decent helmet and some back protection. Back protection may cost some extra bucks, but if you’re practicing a jump with some speed, you go airborne, mess up and land on your back, you will be glad you have some protection on. My 2 cents. If desired, you can read about the Johansson incident at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11796381/

Thanks for the additional feedback. I totally agree. From 7pm to like 12 midnight just a great time. "Thanos knows EVERYONE, we talked good old days of the US open." When Tom first asked for my help and I saw Dr. Thanos Karydas would take part I was expecting a dry but informative evening. How wrong I was. Great guy, with a great whole lot of history, and a whole lot of very cool stories from an insider's perspective. You put it perfectly "Next time this happens in your area just go." "Just go" I agree, but I bet they won't get the after clinic treatment we got! Great hangin with you and thanks for supporting the event and carving!

What you missed. I can't speak for Whaleback as a bigger group in a more formal setting got together there. In Springfield it was very informal and one of those evenings 20 years later you recall with a smile! What you missed: --The list is too long, but here are a few of the highlights. --Some really great detailed info about prepping your boards to go faster, by guys who have taught some of the best riders how to make their equipment beat the competition. --The introduction of the MOMENTIUM Wax System. Looks like a really great addition to the DOMINATOR family. PLEASE NOTE: Tom will be sending me some additional info on this. If you would like to receive it, drop me a line at rtu_co@hotmail.com and I'll put you on the list. --A Q&A time with Dr. Thanos Karydas founder and creator of DOMINATOR wax, and Tom Reinerth US Distributor, that has totally dispelled several myths I've come to believe to be "gospel truth" about preparing a board to race or carve. Super valuable stuff! --After the clinic an hour or two (down in the lounge over some eats and drinks) of insider talk from two guys who traveled the world servicing some of the best skiers and boarders in the world--we're talking Olympic/WC Gold Medallists and top U.S. Ski and Snowboarders. Stuff you will not hear in a book or any magazine--beyond the wax you might say! If you ever get an opportunity to attend one of their clinics, and hang with these guys after the clinic, do so. I promise a truly great time! Keep an eye out for the new MOMENTIUM Wax System DOMINATOR will be launching soon--it looks like a product that can help everyone, but especially those of us who race.

Noah, Just wrote myself a note. See ya Monday. George

VERSUS Television Network will air the Alpine Snowboarding PGS VISA U.S. Snowboard Cup being held at Lake Placid. This is a great opportunity for the sport to get some much needed national exposure. VERSUS will air several SBX events and the PGS being held in Lake Placid, NY. Be sure to set time aside or record for later viewing. Sunday March 9, 2008 at 4 pm To view the entire ski and snowboard events that will be on TV go to: http://www.nessg.com/2007_2008tvschedule.shtml Also, I understand that this event is a way off, but for us try to use something like this to help build the sport, we need to begin doing something now. PLEASE REMEMBER: Last year PGS was not included in the Lake Placid even. Clearly enough of us shared our concern and were able to get it added again. If you want to see the sport develop, don't take these opportunities lightly. Our sport, in a non-Olympic year will be televised nationally. Let's let folks know we are thankful. Don't leave it up to the next guy or gal. For those of us who truly desire to see the sport develop, I encourage you to take a moment to let VERSUS know that you will be watching the broadcast specifically because they are airing the PGS and thank them for including it as a part of their broadcast. While you're doing that you make want to let them know that if they were to add coverage of the Race To The Cup Series and/or the Alpine Snowboarding National Championships, that you and fellow boarders would make it a point to watch. Send your e-mails to: Programming Inquiries or Viewer Feedback feedback@versus.com For those of you who want to go the extra mile, take a minute to let the primary sponsor VISA know that you will be watching specifically because they are airing the PGS and thank them for their support of PGS and snowboarding in general. If you are a VISA card holder (in good standing), let them know you are a customer. If enough of us take a few minutes to show our appreciation, it can go a long way in helping TV networks such as VERSUS and big time sponsors like VISA realize that there are actually "real" people who pay attention to this sport. Also, if you think that your one e-mail or letter do not matter, do not view it from that perspective. Just as with Nielsen Ratings, your single effort is generally looked upon as representing lots more silent supporters. So your effort counts! Sorry no e-mail for the next person. The primary person to contact at VISA is: Visa U.S.A. Inc. 900 Metro Center Blvd. Foster City, CA 94404 Attn: Doug Michelman, Global Head of Corporate Relations

No problem. Glad to help.

If I were elected to the HoF, never mind the first for a given sport, I'd show. That's a rip that you'll miss it by a year.

Great news for Adam Smith, US Alpine Snowboard racing, and all of us who support the team and the sport! To catch the complete results, and a very neat and interesting item US Snowboarding did not mention in their news coverage, but can be viewed in the bracketed results, go to: http://www.nessg.com/2007pgs_soelden.shtml It's worth the click for those who follow PGS/PS racing!

2007 U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. The Hall has selected its first snowboarding members, Jake and Donna Burton Carpenter. Snowboarding has gone full circle now. For complete story go to: http://www.nessg.com/2007halloffame.shtml

My 2 cents. I purchase a copy and have skimmed through all of it, and am now giving a more careful reading. I’m now in chapter 6 – Carving. Chapters 1 - 4 focus on such things as how to learn, how to train, your training environment, the biomechanics of the athletic position... These chapters tend to be more technically focused. The average amateur racer will either skip or skim through these chapters. Those aspiring to become coaches or trainers, or those new to coaching and training will find these chapters helpful. Chapter 5 – starts on page 40 is where the basic to advanced snowboard stance begins. Chapter 6 Carving (Turns/Stance/Transition) and the like page 58. Chapter 7 – starts on page 83. Race Techniques and Strategies (Focuses on turning, timing, and the like). Chapter 8 - starts on page 100. Dryland Boarding (Is what it sounds like). Chapter 9 - starts on page 104. Putting it all together (short summation). About the Author starts on page 107. The book uses a number of photos and diagrams to illustrate what the author is talking about. Both are helpful and well done. All-in-all it is a well put together book. It logically begins with the basics of athletics in general and works its way toward explaining the basics of snowboarding in general, and leads readers in the later chapters of the book into the fundamentals of snowboard racing. I believe it will prove most helpful to those interested in coaching and/or training others. The average amateur racer should find chapters 5 - 7 to be of the most interest to them. Non-readers and non-academics types will find chapters 1 - 4 to be a bit challenging as it contains more technical content. Hope this helps.

2007-2008 World Cup Alpine Snowboarding Racing Season Opener Results The first race has kicked off for Alpine SB. The USA and Canada both had strong results in the first race of the new season. Story, Results, and Bracketed Results at: http://www.nessg.com/2007wc_landgraaf.shtml

2007-08 2nd SBX World Cup Opener Results Valle Nevado, Chili Link for story and results below. http://www.nessg.com/sbx_wc_092907.shtml

I also noticed that he pre-qualified for the Chevy Grand Prix SBX for the 2007-08 season. To see pre-qualifiers go to: http://www.nessg.com/chevy_grandprix_092707.shtml There is a link at the bottom of the page with a list of those who pre-qualified.

2007-08 SBX World Cup Opener Results Valle Nevado, Chili Great start for both the US and Canadian teams. See story and results at: http://www.nessg.com/sbx_wc_092707.shtml

2007-2008 National Team Qualification Criteria This provides the qualifications they used for determining "Team" ranking. http://nessg.com/2008_snowboard_team_criteria.shtml

The 2007-2008 season in coming soon. The 2008 U.S. Snowboarding Team has been announced. Details at: http://www.nessg.com/2008_snowboardteam.shtml 2007-2008 National Snowboard Team Qualification Criteria. Details at: http://nessg.com/2008_snowboard_team_criteria.shtml SBX kicks off on Sept. 25-29 in Valle Nevado, Chile and the Alpine season starts at Landgraaf, Netherlands, on Oct. 12 with an indoor parallel slalom. QUESTION: Has anyone been to this indoor facility? Did you take some runs? If so, what was it like riding indoors? What was the surface like?

Pat, I totally agree with you. It is great when folks recognize Vets. I was in 1976-79 and served with the Army Rangers my full tour. I remember how we were ordered NOT to wear our uniform when we flew from the air base we were living on because people at the time were so negative toward the military. So any sign of respect, from my perspective is a great thing. Dave, as one of those guys who spent a lot of time in the swamps, jungles, etc., I agree with Blue Bird, "it takes a team to make it all work." Clearly, the guys who pounded ground, and took part in things where sickness or life was more on the line, placed more on the table, but without support folks, there would be no modern ground pounders. We spent a lot of time jumping out of jets, planes, choppers... I never really thought too much about the guys flying them, but greatly appreciated their service. The same goes for the truck drivers, cooks... So in my book, as long as you put in your time in an "honorable" manner, from my perspective, your service counts as much as anyone's. Point: Continue to respect the greater effort other put in, but enjoy your piece of the pie--you earned it!

Interesting article on the pre-season workout the US Snowboard team is involved in at Mt. Hood and preparation for the 2007-2008 season. http://www.nessg.com/alpineriderskayaking.shtml