After yesterday's thrilling Parallel Slalom event the final Halfpipe contest of the 2000/2001 Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup did not bring any major surprises. In both the men's and the women's competition the decision for the titles was taken among the top three from the standings.
Markus Sterner from Sweden who was leading the mens' ranking had made it to the finals with a 1st in the first qualification while his teammate Stefan Karlsson, 2nd in the standings, did not even make it to the second chance qualification. Third ranked German rider Jan Michaelis crashed in the first qualifier but made it through in the second.
In the finals Sterner's teammate Markus Jonsson claimed the best scores in the first and second run and took the win. His second place was sufficient for Sterner to claim the Halfpipe title. "I am glad I worked it out," he said, "and it feels good to be the best overall. It has been a long season and I can not wait to go home now. Asahikawa and Park City were the two events I liked most - one for its great pipe and the other for the field of top riders which made it a real challenge. I will get back to Sweden now to spend some time with friends and do some freeriding. I will start training on Tuesday and try to ride as much as possible."
Stefan Karlsson ended up in 39th place but kept second position overall ahead of Jan Michaelis who finished fourth in today's race behind Japan's Takaharu Nakai. "I was going for a top ten finish overall since this was my first year with FIS," the German said, "but I did not calculate to end up that far in front which is just great. I know I even had the chance to make it up to second when Stefan did not make the finals but I think he deserves second place - for me he was the best rider this season."
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Germany's Sabine Wehr-Hasler has been leading the women's standings and was almost safe for the title since second ranked Norwegian Stine Brun Kjeldaas was not at the start today. Finishing 5th place in the final contest the German could defend the World Cup. "I would have liked to make it to the podium in this last competition," Wehr-Hasler said, "but I think I am the happiest person in the world anyway. I had badly crashed in training yesterday and was not sure if I could ride at all today. When I dropped in for the qualification I was really nervous and I am glad I worked it out finally. The season has been much more difficult than last year since we had so much struggles with the pipes. Also the pressure was on everyone to go for nation quota spots for the 2002 Olympics. I am just glad it is done and to win this title again means a lot to me."
Fabienne Reuteler from Switzerland finished first today, Norwegian rider Kjersti Buaas went in second ahead of Anna Hellman from Sweden but they did not have the chance to catch up with the top three.
With Wehr-Hasler taking the Chrystal globe and Brun Kjeldaas in 2nd, Lesley McKenna from Great Britain stayed 3rd overall.
The Snowboard Cross riders will conclude the World Cup tomorrow.
— Britta Semmler, MountainZone.com Correspondent
