PARK CITY— A host of Olympic snowboard medalists will be in town this week for another go on the mountain that has been both kind and cruel to them.
Kelly Clark, Ross Powers, Danny Kass, J.J. Thomas and Chris Klug are all slated to compete in the U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix at Park City Mountain Resort. The parallel giant slalom race is scheduled for Wednesday, while halfpipe qualifications are Thursday with the finals set for Friday night.
The popular rock band Staind will put on an hourlong concert before the halfpipe finals. Tickets are $18. Admission to the other events is free.
While the fivesome walked away from the 2002 Winter Games with gold, silver or bronze around their necks, none reached the podium in their return for last year's Grand Prix.
After winning nearly every halfpipe contest in the 2001-02 season, including an Olympic gold medal, Clark had an off-year. She finished fourth in Park City last year. Teenager Hannah Teter, who won at Park City last year, will be among the favorites.
Speaking of teenagers, high-flying Shaun White, whether it be on a skateboard or a snowboard, is scheduled to compete in the men's halfpipe. White won the X Games this past January, besting both Powers and Kass.
After sweeping the Olympics in Park City, the trio of Powers, Kass and Thomas was not able to duplicate that feat at the Grand Prix. Kass' fourth-place finish was as good as it got.
The PGS will feature the usual cast of veterans, including Olympic bronze medalist Klug, Peter Thorndike, Lisa Kosglow and Rosey Fletcher. Klug won a Continental Cup race earlier this year. Michelle Gorgone and Adam Smith, who won the first-ever indoor World Cup race in the Netherlands this fall, are making an early splash on the World Cup tour.
Several international riders including 2003 overall World Cup champ Jasey Jay Anderson of Canada and Olympic gold medalist Philipp Schoch of Switzerland are also in the field.
The Grand Prix is the premier U.S. snowboard tour, offering a $300,000 purse. NBC is scheduled to air the event Dec. 27.
Snowboard Grand Prix schedule
Wednesday
9 a.m., PGS qualifications
1 p.m., PGS finals
Thursday
8:30 a.m., Men's halfpipe qualifications
1 p.m., Women's halfpipe qualifications
Friday
6 p.m., Staind concert
7:15 p.m., Halfpipe finals
Saturday
10:45 a.m., Junior jam exhibition
Noon, Pro wall ride exhibition
E-MAIL: romboy@desnews.com