Photo: Chip Kalback
US Team Coach with Mike Jankowski and Hannah Teter

(As seen in USA Today) - This Friday and Saturday, Park City, Utah hosts the final stop of the Sprint US Snowboarding Grand Prix and is ground zero for halfpipe contenders looking to represent the USA in Vancouver.

Two of America's top snowboarding stars, Shaun White and Kelly Clark, are already on the team, having each won two qualifying events. Among remaining challengers are previous Olympians and newcomers.

Photo: Kevin Westenbarger
Gretchen Bleiler will have to bring her best
Crippler combos this weekend.2006 Torino Gold and Silver medalists, Hannah Teter and Gretchen Bleiler, respectively, are favorites, each having won or placed top three in previous women's qualifiers.

For Teter a trip to Vancouver means more than medals, "It would be another dream come true, and a platform to be more of a spokesperson to make big, positive changes.

Beyond Hannah and Gretchen, a coveted 4th slot exists, with Connecticut's Ellery Hollingsworth and Lake Tahoe's Elena Hight in lead contention.

Photo: Chip Kalback
Louie Vito is positioned well to make the team this
weekend.

The men's side is less certain. An unfortunate season-ending injury last Sunday to top hopeful Danny Davis opens the door to competition.

Dancing with the Stars celebrity, Louie Vito, is positioned next to qualify assuming strong results this weekend, with 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist JJ Thomas, New Hampshire's Scotty Lago and a 19-year-old upstart, Zach Black, among one's to watch.

Photo: Chip Kalback
Zach Black could bring his A-game and land on the
the A-team.

With previous Olympic tenure providing experience under pressure, for Thomas, it's business as usual, "My mindset for this weekend is the same it's been all year. Focus on what I've been working on, leave everything out there and watch it come together."

Despite a statistical advantage for the aforementioned, room remains for the broader field. With two competitions left, even those without a podium at this point could have two incredible results and potentially make the team." says US Snowboarding's Lindsey Sine.

Watch the LIVE webcast of the final Sprint US Snowboarding Grand Prix this Saturday from 6pm to 8:30pm EST on Fuel.TV/ussnowboarding or view the TV broadcast on NBC this Sunday, Jan. 24, 3pm EST.

By James Sullivan