PARK CITY — Two Olympic snowboarders exorcised some 10-month-old demons Thursday, while a third was demonized again.
Lisa Kosglow and Peter Thorndike had a great time at the 2002 Winter Games despite failing to medal in the parallel giant slalom. Kosglow finished eighth; Thorndike couldn't make it past the qualifying run.
With some hard riding and a little luck, both found themselves atop the podium at the Chevy Truck U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix at Park City Mountain Resort.
Granted there was no pressure, no frenzied crowd and no international competition this time around. But the tough course on C.B.'s Run was nearly identical to the one at the Games.
One wide turn cost Kosglow a chance at the finals last February.
"I think the sweetest thing is just having some redemption on the hill," said the 29-year-old Kosglow, who picked up her first major win of any kind since 1999. "I'm so psyched. It's a good Christmas present."
Not to mention $10,000 for first place.
Since the Olympics, Kosglow, 29, has changed her approach to racing. She's more relaxed, less serious and "a lot more sort of free about it."
The Boulder, Colo., resident outdueled close friend and fellow Olympian Rosey Fletcher, whose slim lead in the final went up in a cloud of snow when she crashed three gates from the finish line in the head-to-head race.
"Tough day," the 27-year-old Alaskan said.
Make that tough day — again. Fletcher has fallen in her last three contests at Park City, including the Games. She's wondering if the mountain has it in for her.
"Last year at this race, same thing. The Olympics, of course. I thought today was going to be my day to conquer it but I guess not."
Fear is a factor on the towering mountain. Thorndike, 25, who succumbed to Olympic jitters in February, harnessed his worries into the first Grand Prix victory of his career.
"The hill is pretty intimidating. It's just a matter of getting over the fact of being intimidated by the hill and the steep pitch at the top. Once you get over that fear, it's just straight forward from there," he said.
After putting up the fastest qualifying time, the Meredith, N.H., native shredded rider after rider, including Olympic bronze medalist Chris Klug in the semifinals. Klug couldn't quite work the magic he did 10 months ago, making several costly mistakes. He wound up fourth.
Thorndike's teammates and friends mobbed him after he bested Ryan McDonald in the finals. But this not being the Olympics, he walked away with snow in his face instead of medal. "I never felt better to be at the bottom of a dog pile," he said.
With only American and Canadian riders competing Thursday, the field was not nearly as strong as it would be for an Olympic or international event. The top European riders are competing at a World Cup meet in Canada this weekend.
Still, Thorndike, who has his sights set on the 2006 Olympics in Italy, said the win means a lot going into next month's World Championships.
"It was pretty much the U.S. team racing against each other here. But we are all good riders and had some good competition. I mean, Klug's the bronze medalist, so that's some good competition."
The Grand Prix continues tonight with a halfpipe contest after the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert. A big air and style competition is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.
Chevy Trucks: U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix
Park City, Utah — Dec. 19
Men's PGS
1. Peter Thorndike, Meredith, NH
2. Ryan McDonald, Entiat, WA
3. Eric Warren, Bennington, VT
4. Chris Klug, Aspen, CO
5. Anton Pogue, Hood River, OR
Women's PGS
1. Lisa Kosglow, Boulder, CO
2. Rosey Fletcher, Girdwood, AK
3. Stacia Hookom, Edwards, CO
4. Erica Mueller, Okemo, VT
5. Sondra Van Ert, Ketchum, ID
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