2004 Vans Triple Crown Halfpipe Finals -- Northstar-At-Tahoe

Steven Fisher Claims His Second Triple Crown Pipe Win As Spring Conditions Take Over Tahoe

Kelly Clark Makes It Two In A Row Over A Hurting Hannah Teter

Date: March 5-7, 2004
Location: Northstar-at-Tahoe, California
See it on TV: March 30, Fox Sports Net, 4 p.m. regionally
Temerature: about 60 degrees (F)
Weather: break out the barbeque
Winds: Calm
Visibility: Excellent
Pipe Builders: Snow Park Technologies
Pipe Conditions: Soft and friendly
Total Male Competitors: 87
Total Female Competitors: 38

3/10/04 -- Last Saturday, Steven Fisher was sitting on the side of the slopestyle course with his shirt off trying to even out tan lines and nurse a sore knee. 24 hours later he barely snuck into a stacked pipe final and provided plenty of drama for the last stop of Van's Triple Crown. Fisher regained the composure that earned him a primetime interview with Sportscenter's Linda Cohn back in January to score a 93.5 in his second of two runs. Now boasting three major titles and lots of momentum, the determined Minnesotan looks to be a serious threat at this year's US Open.

Kelly Clark claimed her second consecutive Triple Crown pipe victory by beating Burton teammate and fellow Vermonter Hannah Teter. Teter, who is still bothered by an injury, rode conservatively by her standards (although it sounds ridiculous to call a run with a 900 in it conservative). Kelly and Hannah have shared the top two podium spots at every Triple Crown pipe contest this season.

Luke Wynen's faith-based attack proved worthy of second place. Although he was probably getting a little soupy in that baggy brown jumpsuit, the Pennsylvania native had nothing but good things to say. "The frontside wall was just butter, it was perfect, that's why you saw so many 1080s today."

Most people would have trouble walking if their pants were sagging around their knees, but Mason Aguirre managed to claim the final podium spot despite having his entire ass fall out during both runs. Some strategically placed polypropylene was to thank for avoiding a Super Bowl style scandal.

Crowd-favorite Andy Finch used the soft pipe and home field advantage to set up a dramatic title push, but came up one landing short of a new Ford truck. "I came out here to win this event today. On my fist run I started with a big McTwist up top, then wound up doing a 1080 on accident, then a couple sevens, then finished with a solid Cab 9. I was stoked, that was probably the best run I've ever done. I almost stepped it up the second try by just going bigger and cleaner, but then I slammed on the deck. That's how it goes."

On the heels of the female leaders was a strong scanner posse featuring Kjersti Buaas Oestguaard, Anne Molin Kongsgaard, and Stine Brun Kjeldaas who claimed 4th, 5th, and 6th respectively.

Steven Fisher now has two Triple Crown pipe titles to brag about.

Hannah Teter played hurt and still managed to finish 2nd.

TOP FINISHERS

Men
1. Steven Fisher, 93.5, $12,000
2. Luke Wynen, 90, $8,000
3. Mason Aguirre, 88.8, $5,000
4. Andy Finch, 88.5, $3,500
5. Gian Simmen, 86.3, $2,500
6. Danny Kass, 84, $1,500
7. Vinzenz Lueps, 83.3, $800
8. Wyatt Caldwell, 83.1, $700
9. Ross Powers, 80.6, $600
10. Tommy Czeschin 80.5, $500

Women
1. Kelly Clark, 93.5, $8,000
2. Hannah Teter, 89, $5,000
3. Kjersti Buaas Oestguaard, 86.3 $2,250
4. Anne Molin Kongsgaard, 82.5, $1,500
5. Elena Hight, 80.8, $1,200
6. Stine Brun Kjeldaas, 77.6 $1,050
7. Tricia Byrnes, 75.1, $800
8. Clair Bidez, 72.3, $700
9. Mercedes Nicoll, 70.1, $600
10. Dominique Vallee, 69.1, $500