Sunday, January 26, 2003 -- McHenry, MD
Ford No Boundaries Snow Series - Big Air #2 (iPO Event Id#: 5295)
Story and photos by Don Parks

[Details] [Coverage]
[Boarder/Skier Cross Results] [Big Air Results]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6]

Hot on their heels in
skier cross

The conditions at Wisp for the second installment of the Ford No Boundaries Snow Series Big Air and Skier/Boarder Cross were perfect. Temperatures in the twenties, clouds, and a chance of snow. While it might be nice to have a little sun, the weather helped keep the conditions on the slopes excellent.

Things got under way first with the cross events. It is a long and fast course that begins innocently enough. You begin with the gates at the top of Deer Run and then it is a full tuck on your way to the intersection with Squirrel Cage. That is where you launch into a huge hard left turn. From there you bomb down the steep finish doing your best to navigate the slalom gates.

The skiers made up the largest contingent and it took four rounds of fighting down the mountain to determine the winners. When the sprays of powder cleared, there were three new winners atop the podium [Big Air #1 Results]. Standing on top was 16-year-old Danny Ellis, followed by 18-year-old Bart Shaffer and Danny's older brother, 20-year-old Nathan Ellis.

Keeping it close to the edge in boarder cross

The boarders only needed three rounds to settle the score. Muscling his way to first was Lee Railey (20), followed by Jason Fickes (20) and Thomas Thorton (21).

A shout-out also goes to the day's three women competitors. Elizabeth Stump (18) once again worked her way to a first place finish and was followed by Sheila Shurina (22) and Jordan Halsig (17).

As they cleared the gates and prepared for the Big Air competition, Mother Nature decided it was time for some more snow. Certainly welcome on a ski slope, but it sure makes work a little harder for the camera man!

Putting the "Big" in Big Air

As the snow really began to fall, racing began with competitors given a single huge hit to show off their best stuff. A second hit was optional, but bonus points could be earned for use in any tie breaks. The combined score from two runs would be used to crown the champions.

In the Junior Skier class, it was Brian Schlosnagle taking a big win and adding to his second place finish from Big Air #1. Patrick Drumm took second while Mick Schmidt repeated as the third place finisher.

The landing is the tricky part

The Senior Skier division watched the show put on by Dustin Majewski as he easily earned his second Big Air win. Second went to Timothy Lathe while RC "Old Man" Tichnell snagged third.

The competition among the borders was tight, but Mark Nestor was not to be denied. He followed up his Big Air #1 second place finish with a one point win over Jordan Gray. The battle for third came down to a tie breaker between Jason Fickes and Jeff Wright. Fickes got the honors as he earned the bonus with the unofficial Best-of-Show Big Air title for some tremendous vertical.

Immediately following the end of the competition, it was a quick and painless transition to the awards. It was especially nice since that allowed everyone time to get home for the Super Bowl... or back out on the slopes for some more air time!