On the bus trip back from the Ladies' Downhill at Whistler I read some horrible news on CTV's Olympics news feed: Play It Cool snowboarder Justin Lamoureux had bailed and had not qualified for the Men's Halfpipe finals. I was supposed to be heading to Cypress but general admission tickets had been cancelled. Still, with visions of cheering madly for Justin in a crowded beer tent dancing in my head it was deadening news. I called off plans and headed home with dampened spirits. 

And then a miracle happened. Upon tuning into live online coverage, I discovered that Justin had made it into the finals and still had one run left! I dimmed the lights, cleared a space for my laptop and sat back to take in the action on the small screen.   

I'm ashamed to say it but this was the first halfpipe competition I've ever seen and I had no idea world class riders got such huge air off the pipe! Their skill is impressive and apparently the bar has been raised in recent years by prodigies like the USA's Shaun White. I was leaning into the screen and wringing my hands by the time Justin stood atop the pipe. After all the phone calls and emails and visits I was finally witnessing Justin in his element. 

The oldest and most experienced rider in the competition, he looked smooth and relaxed. Justin sailed through his jumps getting great air and landing with ease. My heart swelled when the commentator mentioned Justin's passion for the environment and his commitment to hiking up mountains rather than hopping on a snowmobile to reach the back country. He even rides a Bataleon 'Project Green' board. With recycled sidewalls and base material, FSC certified wood core and a non-oil based special top sheet, the Project Green is one of the most eco-friendly boards on the market. Justin has become the poster child for green boarding. 

Justin's clean run earned him 7th place - an incredible result at this level of competition. As he ran up the pipe to raise his board and wave to the crowd I couldn't have been more proud. Congratulations, Justin!