<center><img src="
http://www.asphaltplayground.com/images ... nter><br>I have to apologize for the incredible lameness on my part in getting these awards out to all the different divisions that took part in the 2004 American Cup Series. I've finally had a chance to get the points sorted with the help of several people and a lot of emails, and I want to thank you all for your patience (I know- you totally forgot about it).
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<center><b>Boy's American Cup Champion</b><br></center>
I don't think this one comes as a big surprise. <b>Joe McLaren </b> broke out this year as one of the most dominant skaters in any class. Joe received some great coaching from Dad McLaren, some heat from little brother Kyle, and some gear advice from Chris Barker. Joe put it all together to dominate in most every race, but especially in GS. One highlight was his incredible SuperG run in Morro Bay that put him ahead of a host of pros (this one included). Josh Byrd was in the hunt but had far fewer races to bank points on. Now nursing a messed up ankle, Joe is chomping at the bit to get back out. Patience young Jedi, and Congratulations. The COSS crew is looking forward to chasing you in seasons to come. <br>
<center><b>Girl's American Cup Champion</b><br></center>
<b>Katii Campell </b> has been to more races than most of us and has progressed steadily this year, capturing the Girl’s title. Katii had some stiff competition from Millie Chapman, Kelli Benko, and other rising stars, but at some races like Luna and the Farm, Katii finds herself among few other competitors her age that can handle the challenging courses. This has got to be tough to stay mentally into it when you have to race 1 or 2 divisions up just to find someone to match up against. We're all excited to see how Katii progresses over the next couple of seasons as she heads for the Junior Women's class. Congratulations Katii!
<center><b>Junior Men's American Cup Champion</b><br></center>
This was perhaps the biggest upset of the season. If you had told me at Luna that Aaron Morris would NOT win his division, I would have laughed, but with Aaron's season ending injury and his absence from the World's, the door was open for young <b> Ben Chapman </b> to step in and snag the division title. Ben had a good season racing at Hood, the Farm, Breck, Morro Bay, and Luna. Ben is consistent and he races smart. One of his best races was at Breck and it was fun to watch him capture the US Giant Slalom title. Ben has a good of years in this division and will defend his title well I expect. Nice job Ben!
<center><b>Junior Women's American Cup Champion</b><br></center>
This was the tightest points race among the divisions with the exception of the Men's Pro. <b> Elisa Campbell</b> showed up to more races and took more points than any other Junior Woman. Lauren Gorden was a mere 20 points behind! Elisa started the season at Luna, scarring me with her little stance on that Turner, but she grew more comfortable as the season progressed and put in some good races at Hood, the Farm, and La Costa (when she wasn't learning to surf). Looking forward to more from Elisa in 2005.
<center><b>Women's American Cup Champion</b><br></center>
This was a tighter race than you might have thought. <b> Lynn Kramer </b> was pretty unstoppable anywhere she raced. She often raced in the Men's B with equal success as she did in the Women's class. Naomi Reichle came over from Switzerland to give Lynn some competition in the Super G while Judi Oyama pressed her at both Breck and Morro Bay. But the real threat in terms of points came from Lisa Woodward who raced at every American Cup race there was. All of this on recovering knees! But Lynn really killed it this year, from GS to Tight, she was really outstanding, especially at La Costa on the home turf, and abroad too. Good job Lynn!
<center><b>Mens American Cup Champion</b><br></center>
I think everyone knows that<b> Kenny Mollica</b>was at the top of his game this year when he showed up at La Costa and cruised the GS race. Kenny did not fail to win or grab a podium at every race this year. That is an amazing statistic. Consistency was key to winning the American Cup Pro division which swapped leads at least four times during the season. I held the top spot briefly before I gave it up to Noah, then Kenny, then Richey, then back to Kenny. It was fun to see how the season played out. After Kenny's performance at Breck, it was pretty clear that he would bag the first ever American Cup. So Kenny will receive his own 2004 Men's American Cup Trophy, in addition to THE American Cup, which will include his name in the first position. IF we do this again next year, the Cup can add names and Kenny can defend it for 2005. <br>
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In order to sweeten the victory for those skaters named above, each Champion will recieve a set of <b>3DM </b>wheels of your choice, a set of <b>Manx </b>of your choice, a set of <b>Pleasure Tools Bearings</b>, a set of <b>Pocket Pistol </b>Wedgies, and a combo set of <b>Khiro </b>bushings and risers. I want to thank these companies for the prizes, and I want to thank <b>Mark McCree</b> for all his support of the 2004 season as well as Gareth Roe, Sector 9, Gravity, Comet, Bahne, and Concrete Wave. Also thanks go to Dan Gesmer for his race management, Pat Chewing for the Chronocone, Jonathan Harms for the points tabulation earlier this year, and Jack Smith for keeping me sane. And for all of you that put on points qualifying races this year, a big thanks, Ricky Byrd, Steven King, Gareth, Dave Hamm, Tiger, Lynn Kramer, Tway, & TK. Also, the trophies you see at the top were hand made by the same guy who built the starting ramps, Mr. Bill Boothby. These are excellent trophies (and I wish I had one).
Cheers,
Gary