Underage Debauchery: Yobeat at the US Open
Yea, we went there. Not just to watch world class pros throw it down in the halfpipe, not because we wanted to see which pro would win the Volvo V50 sports wagon, not to hear the energetic jib-by-jib commentary executed by the Dingo at the rail jam, and not even to scope out the pro-ho’s at their finest (I threw that in there for the boys!). We went there simply because everyone was going and we wanted to be popular. Also, we could hit up the mountain with sweet media credentials. Nothing is better than riding for free. The weekend was filled with bluebird sky days, drunkenness, and good snowboarding. Three very great things, I would have to say snowboarding is my favorite of those three. Mostly because if I were to say that drunkenness was my favorite, you would probably think I am an alcoholic and secretly nominate me for AA meetings. This year’s US Open will definitely leave its mark. Danny Kass became the first rider ever to win four US Open halfpipe titles in the events 23-year existence. And for the first time ever, three siblings: Abe, Elijah, and Hannah Teter all made it to the halfpipe finals. Gretchen Bleiler took home her second US Open halfpipe title.
The evening rail jam began with a shotgunning beer party in the parking lot and sneaking in even more beer in snowboard pants. An evening on the slopes can get chilly even when bundled in high-quality outerwear, so a little buzz to keep you warm may be necessary. Eddie Wall and 2004 US Open rail jam champion Leanne Pelosi won the US Open rail jam finals in a contest that included snowboard heroes Danny Kass and Shaun White. Chris Rotax and Alexis Waite earned the SoBe Sick Trick Award and shredded away $2,500 richer. After the awards ceremony, we were treated to a performance by Talib Kweli. Talib’s performance rolled around just as my buzz peaked, you could probably have labeled me as drunk at this point. I decided crowd surfing was the best idea ever. I pushed through the crowd to get to the front and persuaded some random guy to lift me up. So yea, it was all fun and games until someone stole my pink grenade beanie! I couldn’t really do much, and by the time the groping I mean my crowd surfing experience came to an end I was at the front of the stage and Talib looked at me. Oh my god, it was like love at first sight. This made the loss of my favorite beanie a worth while incident. After the rail jam and Talib’s performance, you would think that would be enough excitement for one evening…heck no! Me and my friends were going to meet some locals at “the cave” (just a crappy underground office type of place near the gondola) and then go to a party, with a designated
driver of course. So while leaving “the cave” and walking to the car, an undercover cop pulled up next to me. And me, a girl with street smarts but a drunk blonde in this situation had an alcoholic beverage in my hand. If you didn’t know it before, I will just let you in on a little secret now, I haven’t quite reached the legal age to be in the procession of alcohol (shhh). So, the officer asked if I was 21 and I ended up in the front seat of his car answering more questions. He just enjoyed my company I think and wanted a drunken blonde girl in his cop car because his evening was obviously lame. He even gave me his card with his personal information, what cop does that?! Since it was my second offence, I get to drive three hours to a court and plead guilty. Gosh, I feel like a criminal! All in all, the US Open was a delight and I can’t wait to make more memories at next year’s event! I hope all you Yobeat readers had a chance to make it this year, email me if you have a sweet story that is way better than mine, or if you can relate or sympathize with the underage alcoholic charge! By: Tessa McCullough
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