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In the men's giant slalom, Chris Klug, 25, won his hometown Mount Bachelor event and picked up a rare win over Canada's Fawcett to secure a spot on the U.S. team. Klug, a former high school All-Star quarterback, has the brightest chance for a win over the Canadians. Europeans, who have long dominated the Alpine events, still could sweep the giant slalom. "I wouldn't be surprised if the podium was one-two-three for Austria," says Fawcett. On the women's race course, Lisa Kosglow, 24, of Boise, Ind., overcame a rough early-season start to win the Mount Bachelor giant slalom and rise to medal contention. Her competition may come in the form of Rosey Fletcher, 22, of Girdwood, Alaska, whose pre-Olympic results earned her the first berth on the U.S. women's racing contingent.
And what of the man who may be the world's best freestylist? In the warm confines of Mount Baker's lodge, Terje Haakonsen steps onto a makeshift podium as the Golden Duct Tape is hung around his neck to the cheers of a couple hundred soaking patrons. A crackling stereo plays the Norwegian national anthem. Haakonsen grasps his plastic bag of award loot--gift certificates, lift tickets, stickers and assorted boarding goodies--and hurls it into the writhing mass of teenagers. It isn't Olympic, but it is the golden moment he feels snowboarding is all about.