Freestylin’ in Japan

It was a frustrating race for me in Japan. My first qualification run was solid, but not my best. I attacked the second and had a great run going. I was killing it, until five gates from the finish I juiced a heelside turn too hard and got in the back seat, spinning me one-eighty degrees and losing all my speed. I flipped it back around and coasted to the finish line, missing the finals. I was racing with Frenchman Sylvan Dufour who I was leading when I slipped up. He qualified ninth. I was riding good and would have qualified deep, but lost it just before finish. You’ve gotta finish all the gates full speed for it to count. It’s tough; I was feeling fast and wanted to do well in Japan. I’ll have to bounce back strong for Nationals this weekend at Crystal Mountain, Washington, the final races of the season.My friends Corey Lucks and Hideki from Aspen’s Sister City Shimukappu came to the PGS Race in Furano to cheer me on. I was hoping to advance to finals and give them a great show, but exited eary instead which gave me the opportunity to return with them to Shimukappu for lunch. It was fun to see Aspen’s Sister City in Japan. I had a great luch at Corey’s wife’s restaurant, The Fry Pan and met the mayor afterwards. It was cool seeing the Aspen connection in Japan and speaking with Corey about Japanese culture. It was great to have friends supporting me at far off races, especially when it doesn’t go as planned.I’m back home in Aspen today, doing laundry and getting ready to head to Washington tomorrow morning for Natioinals. We’re going to the Sonics basketball game tomorrow night for opening ceremonnies of Nationals. Should be fun. I’ll post some photos and updates from Crystal. Don’t forget to check out the the 6th Annual Burton-Klug Snowboard Camp 2006 Mar. 31st – Apr. 2nd in Aspen. Should be a lot of fun. Hope you can join us. Thanks for checkin’ in.CKMain St. Shimukappu, Japan, Aspen’s Sister City in Japan. Check out the Aspen Leaf logo on lamp post.