Monday, December 17

Season Kicks Off with the U.S. Grand Prix in Mammoth.

Press Release

Daniel Franck of Norway captured the men's halfpipe, while Shannon Dunn (Carnelian Bay, Calif.) secured an Olympic team berth during a day of surprises Sunday at the Chevy Truck U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix.

The event will be broadcast Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. EST on NBC.

Franck was victorious in the men's contest with a 43.9 total followed by the surprising second place of Luke Wynen. A recent transplant to Mammoth Mountain from Reading, Pa., Wynen wasn't tabbed among the favorites. But he claimed the runner-up spot with a score of 42.1. Ross Powers (South Londonderry, VT), the 1998 Olympic bronze medalist, was third with a 41.4 effort.

Dunn, the 1998 Olympic bronze medalist, was victorious with a score of 38.2. Although the U.S Olympic Team won't be announced until late January, Dunn's win mathematically secured her position on the team. Tricia Byrnes (New Canaan, CT), a winner of 14 World Cup events, qualified second at 36.7. Olympic silver medalist Stine Kjeldaas of Norway was third at 34.7.

"I'm so happy," said Dunn. "I just had fun out there. It's huge for me to know I'm made the team. Now I can just focus on getting better in training. A lot of time with all the different competitions, you don't have the time to work on specific training. Now, I can."

U.S. Halfpipe Coach Pete del Guidice was pleased with the balance of the American riders.

"Basically all of the kids in the finals had the potential to be on the podium," said Foley. "For Luke, he's just been improving, especially with his focus. As for Shannon, she's always focused and is always there."

Wynen, who qualified eighth, was surprised with his performance. But he said his new area residence provided a boost.

"I'm surprised," said Wynen. "But it came together at the end and it paid off."

Neither Powers nor Byrnes clinched Olympic spots over the weekend, but both of them took strong steps towards the team. Byrnes, who rode a strong opening run both Thursday and Sunday, had the luxury of experimenting in her second run (best of two run format) trying to land a McTwist.

Powers, on the other hand, had to come from behind after a bad first run Sunday to move back up into the second American spot.

Chevy Truck U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix action continues Jan. 3-6 at Mt. Bachelor, Ore. with both a halfpipe and a parallel giant slalom.

CHEVY TRUCK U.S. SNOWBOARD GRAND PRIX
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, Calif. -- Dec. 16

Men
1. Daniel Franck, Norway, 43.9 points
2. Luke Wynen, Mammoth Mountain, Calif., 42.1
3. Ross Powers, South Londonderry, Vt., 41.4
4. Shaun White, San Diego, Calif., 40.9
5. Andy Finch, Fresno, Calif., 39.6


Women
1. Shannon Dunn, Carnelian Bay, Calif., 38.?
2. Tricia Byrnes, New Canaan, Conn., 36.7
3. Stine Kjelstaad, Norway, 34.4
4. Lesley McKenna, Great Britain, 34.3
5. Barrett Christy, Vail, Colo., 30.6