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Women's halfpipe a hit among Aussies
Snowboarder Emily Arthur practices ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Phoenix Snow Park on February 9, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. © 2018 Getty Images
Australia's female snowboard halfpipe riders are ready to bring their all to the PyeongChang Olympics qualification round on Day 3 of the 2018 Games.Debutant Emily Arthur said three solid days of training at the Phoenix Snow Park venue had put her and teammate Holly Crawford in good stead for the competition.
"I've never had three days of training before an event and it was really nice (because) the first day we could just get used to the pipe and the next two we did our tricks," she said.
"It's been a really good lead up and I think it's going to be a really good event tomorrow."
Both women will compete in the snowboard women's halfpipe qualification round from 1.30pm local time (3.30pm AEST).
They'll compete in a field of 24, including World Cup overall leader Chloe Kim (US), and 2014 Sochi Olympic bronze medallist Kelly Clark (US).
Yet her competitors do not intimidate Arthur. At the Olympic Test Event in PyeongChang in February 2017, Arthur finished 10th, while Crawford placed 13th. More recently Arthur claimed sixth at the Secret Garden World Cup in China in December.
"It's really similar to how the pipe was last year so hopefully we can replicate if not do better on last year's results," Arthur said.
"It's the best pipe I've ever ridden and I've ridden a lot of pipes.
"It was weird going into it because…I've literally never ridden a pipe that's so perfect so it's going to be great."
One slight difference is the length of the pipe – at 265m it is longer than many other pipes giving athletes an added opportunity to throw tricks and secure more points from the judges.
Arthur said she had figured out the timing of her hits and was looking forward to a fierce competition from tomorrow.
"I've figured it out… The amplitude is good, I've been able to spread out my tricks and I think it's all turned out fine," she said.
"I try not to watch too much but I watch my friends and my friends are all riding really well.
"Girls' snowboarding has come a really long way in the past four years and I think it's going to be a really good show tomorrow.
"We're all going to be throwing down and it's going to be a bit of a battle but it's going to be good."
The women's qualification round will be held at 1.30pm local time on Day 3 (February 12) and the men kick off on Day 4 (February 13).
Candice Keller
olympics.com.au
World Class pipe welcomes Aussie riders
"We've all made it" - Kent Callister: Instagram February 9.
PyeongChang has produced the 'best halfpipe ever built' according to Australian riders.After today's first training run at the Phoenix Snow Park, the Australian team of five were incredibly pumped with the pipe.
"This halfpipe is amazing, I think this is the best pipe ever built so the level of riding will go through the roof," Kent Callister said.
"It should be the best contest to happen yet."
The 22-year-old said it was great to get out on the snow after arriving in South Korea several days ago, and that the atmosphere among the Australian Team was relaxed, but excited.
"The Team's great, the vibe's great. Everyone's just having fun messing around, cheering each other on."
Team veteran Holly Crawford agreed that the pipe was fantastic.
"If anyone does complain, I'm not sure how they can make it better," she said.
Crawford, who will make her fourth Winter Olympic appearance in PyeongChang, said she had a less conventional lead up to the 2018 Games than most athletes.
"I opted for a couple of weeks at home getting a tan instead of injuring myself as I have in the past so the tan's keeping me nice and tight," she said.
"It's been a really good day of training and hopefully the next couple of days will be better and the sun will come out a bit more."
For Australian flagbearer Scotty James, it was a welcome return to the South Korean snow.
After winning last year's Olympic test event (the 2016/17 World Cup closer) in PyeongChang with a score of 96.00, the 23-year-old is eager to replicate the result.
"This is a pretty awesome halfpipe, straight as an arrow – the sides are really straight and good transitions.
"(The pipe) was everything and more that we all expected. Last year we had an awesome time here… I've always had a really good time here in Korea, I can't wait to get back in the next days and get into competition."
Women's snowboard halfpipe qualifications will be held on Day 3 (February 12) and men's qualifications are on Day 4 (February 13) along with women's finals.
Holly Crawford touches down for fourth Olympics
Holly Crawford arrives for her fourth Olympics. Photo: David Barden
Three-time Olympian Holly Crawford touched down in Korea on Tuesday for what is set to be her fourth Winter Games appearance at PyeongChang 2018.
The 33-year-old Snowboard Halfpipe rider, who already has one gold and two silver World Championship medals under her belt, recently finished seventh at the final pre-Games Halfpipe World Cup in Laax, Switzerland.
After competing under an injury cloud at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Crawford joked upon arrival that heading into PyeongChang she was "thankfully uninjured for the first time in a few years".
"[I'm] obviously hoping to make the finals but it is what it is and you never know what the outcome is going to be," she said.
"The pipe actually up there was really good, we were really pleased with that they put up for the test event. They managed it quite well so hopefully they put it on again."
A seasoned snowboarder, Crawford said that she's not feeling the nerves heading into the upcoming Games.
"It is what it is," she said.
"We all compete all year round against the same people."
Arriving shortly after was fellow teammate and Sochi Olympian Nate Johnstone who also finished within the top ten at the Laax World Cup.
"I've been in Japan doing some training and hanging out with my dad for the last week so it's been really nice and I'm looking forward to it. I'm stoked to be here," the 27-year-old said.
"I've got pretty much the whole family coming this time around so it's going to be exciting to see them all there.
"Now I've got new family because me and my wife have married so her dad, mum and brother are all coming over so it's going to be the full clan over here for this one – it's going to be fun!"
Snowboard halfpipe will be held at the Bokwang Snow Park with women's qualifications on Day 3 (February 12) and finals the folowing day. The men's qualifications runs are on Day 4 (February 13) and the finals on Day 5 (February 14). Find out more about snowboarding at PyeongChang HERE.
David Barden
Experienced Snowboard Halfpipe Team named for PyeongChang
SNOWBOARD HALFPIPE: With seven previous Olympic Games and 22 World Cup and World Championship medals between them, the five athletes selected to represent Australia in snowboard halfpipe at PyeongChang 2018 know what it takes to be the best.
Triple Olympian Holly Crawford will compete at her fourth Games, looking to improve upon her best Olympic result of eighth at Vancouver 2010.
The 33-year-old has one gold and two silver World Championship medals under her belt and recently finished 10th at the 2017 World Championships in Sierra Nevada.
"After a long and bumpy road I am mostly relieved to have officially made the 2018 Olympic Team," Crawford said.
"It is less the Olympic Games itself and more the journey to get there that shapes an athlete. By the time you're at the Olympics most of the hard work is already done and you just have to let yourself do what you've trained to do.
"I am very proud to have been able to represent Australia at the previous three Olympics and every four years I am prouder than the last!"
She will be joined by two-time World Champion and Crystal Globe winner Scotty James.
With two 21st place halfpipe finishes from Vancouver and Sochi, plus a 16th place in snowboard slopestyle from 2010, James said his previous Olympic experiences have made him better prepared for his third Games.
"Having been to two Games and with the benefit of many more international competitions under my belt, I now understand what I have to do to achieve my goals," the 23-year-old said.
"For me, representing my country in the Olympic Winter Team is the greatest honour that I have ever achieved. I really feed off the support that we give each other as Aussie Team members and the support that we receive from all over Australia."
Sochi Olympians Kent Callister (22) and Nathan Johnstone (27) will return to the Team for their second Olympic experience.
Callister was the surprise packed of Sochi 2014, finishing ninth as the top ranked Australian in a star-studded field. Johnstone wasn't too far behind, missing the final by one place to finish 13th on debut.
"I'm very excited to be heading to my second Olympic Games," Callister said.
"I had a blast riding in Sochi so I'm looking forward to the whole Olympic experience at PyeongChang. I feel very grateful to be going to the Olympics again so I'm going to soak it all in."
The only debutant in the halfpipe team, Emily Arthur, has also had her fair share of international experience.
The 18-year-old won halfpipe silver at the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Winter Games and placed 15th in snowboard slopestyle.
She recorded a career-best result at the 2017 Secret Garden World Cup in December, qualifying for her first final and finishing in sixth place. She heads into her debut Games with a world ranking of 13th.
"Being selected is the most insane moment of my life!" Arthur said.
"I've wanted to go to the Olympics for as long as I can remember, it's always been in the back of my mind growing up that maybe one day I could go, and I can't believe it's now a reality."
Arthur said it will be a dream come true to make her Olympic debut alongside athletes she has admired for years.
"I look up to the older girls on the Australian Team so much, they have really taken me in and been so amazing to me! They are the girls I looked up to when I was young and still do, I know they are going to look after me and definitely make the experience so fun."
Crawford's advice to all the rookies on the Team is to "be proud and confident in the work they've put in."
"Trust in your ability, we all train and compete all year round and your body knows what it is doing so just let it. Most of all enjoy the ride and take it all in, you've earned it!"
Snowboard halfpipe will be held at the Bokwang Snow Park with qualifications on Day 4 (February13). The men's final is on Day 5 (February 14) and the women's final is on Day 11 (February 20). Find out more about snowboarding at PyeongChang HERE.
The team of Mitchell Allen, Andrew Burton, Ben Mates, Torah Bright and Holly Crawford made Australia's snowboard halfpipe Olympic debut at Torino 2006. Bright has won Australia's two snowboard halfpipe Olympic medals, with gold at Vancouver 2010 and silver at Sochi 2014. Find out more about Australia's Olympic snowboard history HERE.
Georgia Thompson
Top tens for Crawford, Bright and Johnstone in Laax
Nathan Johnstone rides during a training session for the FIS Freestyle World Cup 2016/17 Snowboard Halfpipe at Bokwang Snow Park. © Getty Images
Australia's Holly Crawford and Nate Johnstone have finished seventh and tenth in the final Halfpipe World Cup prior to PyeongChang 2018.
Competing in Laax, Switzerland, Crawford put down a best score of 46.50 on her second of two runs in the 8-woman final.
Crawford's teammate and fellow three-time Olympian Torah Bright progressed through to the final earlier in the week but did not start leaving her in eighth place overall.
China dominated the competition with Jiayu Lu claiming top spot with a score of 96.25, beating compatriot Xuetong Cai and Spaniard Queralt Castellet.
In the men's event Johnstone put down a best run of 46.00 to end the event in tenth as he builds towards competing at his second Olympic Games in PyeongChang.
Sochi 2014 gold medallist Iouri Podladtchikov impressed on home soil taking out the victory with a score 90.50 ahead of Yuto Totsuka of Japan and China's Yiwei Zhang.
The event did not feature a number of highly ranked athletes from the USA who had their final selection event at Mammoth Moutain in Colorado.
Matt Bartolo
Last PyeongChang qualifier for Aussie Halfpipe riders
Some of Australia's top snowboarders will drop into the halfpipe in Laax, Switzerland in this year's second World Cup and final PyeongChang qualifier.
Among those competing at the Swiss resort include Holly Crawford, Torah Bright and Sochi Olympian Nate Johnstone, who is hoping for "redemption" after Snowmass "didn't go to plan for me at all".
Johnstone finished in 36th place with a best score of 19.00 last week, missing out on Saturday's 10-man final after he "couldn't manage to put one [run] down in either of my competition runs".
"I just want to put down a solid run and build on that through the event," he said.
"Training has been good, we had a great first day of training but the snow has rolled in hard and put a handbrake on the event for the time being."
Crawford, Bright and Emily Arthur finished within the top 15 of last week's Halfpipe World Cup but were unable to secure spots in the eight-woman finals.
Crawford, a three-time Olympian, finished in 14th place with a best score of 56.75 while Torah Bright wasn't far behind, placing 15th with a best score of 55.75.
Bright, who like Crawford is hoping to compete in her fourth Winter Olympics, recently stepped up to the podium twice during the North-American Cup circuit in December after making a stunning return to the Snowboard Halfpipe competition.
Arthur, who competed in Snowmass after securing her best ever World Cup result at China's Secret Garden in December, finished in 12th place with a best score of 60.25.
With PyeongChang looming, the 18-year-old has elected to remain at her "home mountain" of Mammoth, California while she tests some new tricks on airbags.
"It really helps with fear, because you literally have nothing to lose when you try a trick, so it definitely helps me get tricks much quicker," she said.
"My coach and I thought it would be good to compete here and get some extra training in and not worry about travelling so close to the Olympics."
Fellow Halfpipe riders Kent Callister and Scotty James will also remain in the U.S. and compete alongside Arthur at the Mammoth Grand Prix in California.
In last week's World Cup final, described by commentators as the "most impressive event in the history of snowboarding", James claimed silver with a best score of 96.25.
"Australia, more now than ever in my career, I can really feel the energy and the camaraderie coming from them and I really appreciate it," the 23-year-old said following the event.
With snow showers and low visibility on the forecast for Laax, Wednesday's qualification runs were put on hold with event organisers hoping that a window will open on Thursday for combined qualifiers and semi-finals.
"But with more snow on the forecast, we'll see what tomorrow brings," Johnstone said.
"Otherwise, everything is good and it's great being back in Laax!"
For live updates from Laax click HERE or follow OWIA on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.
OWIA
Aussie Snowboard Halfpipe riders finish in top 15 at Snowmass
Australia's top female snowboarders have finished within the top 15 of the Halfpipe World Cup following Thursday's qualification runs at Snowmass, Colorado.
However, with only the top eight making it through to finals, Emily Arthur, Torah Bright and Holly Crawford will not be competing on Saturday and will instead turn their focus to the next competition.
Arthur, who came to Colorado after securing her best ever World Cup result at China's Secret Garden in December, finished 12th today with a best score of 60.25.
"I was very happy [with] how I performed considering how awful my practice was," the 18-year-old said.
"I was able to somewhat pull something out when it counted and I'm very happy about that! The pipe and the atmosphere was really fun, I was back with all my American friends which definitely upped the vibes."
Fellow Aussie and three-time Olympian Holly Crawford finished in 14th place with a best score of 56.75 while Torah Bright wasn't far behind, placing 15th with a best score of 55.75.
The last chance for Australia's Halfpipe riders to secure crucial qualification spots for the PyeongChang Games will be at the next World Cup in Laax, Switzerland from the 17 – 20 January.
Arthur, however, will not be competing in Switzerland, instead opting to stay at her "home mountain" in Mammoth, California to compete in the Mammoth Grand Prix and spend time testing out new tricks prior to the Winter Games.
"My coach and I thought it would be good to compete there and get some extra training in and not worry about travelling so close to the Olympics," she said.
As for the men, 2017 World Champion Scotty James qualified for the 10-man Halfpipe final on Saturday after placing second in his qualification heat with a score of 88.75.
Unfortunately James' fellow Aussies Kent Callister and Nate Johnstone did not qualify for the finals, with Callister placing 19th following a best run score of 59.25 and Johnstone 36th with 19.00.
The halfpipe finals will be broadcast live on Eurosport from 7am AEDT on Sunday morning. For live results click HERE or follow OWIA on Twitter HERE or Facebook HERE.
James on track for world title repeat
Scotty James in qualifying
Scotty James has qualified in first position for the men's halfpipe final at the 2017 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships.
The two-time Olympian and reigning world champion executed two solid runs in Friday's qualifying, scoring 80.25 points in his first attempt before stepping it up in the second to score 92.25 points.
"Had to go up," James said of his scores.
"Taking into consideration I'm doing four hits I need to do four tricks and I think that's what the judges wanted so I put that in my second run and ended up getting 92," he said.
Spain's warm conditions haven't deterred the 22-year-old from putting on a show.
"You can do all the tricks you want in there and that's my plan for tomorrow night for the finals. It's going to be a good show," he said.
"The pipe is in great shape. It's just when it gets a bit warm like this that the walls start to fade a little so you just need to be a little lighter on your toes when it heats up."
Sochi Olympian Kent Callister was close to qualifying for the 10-strong men's final but settled for 11th after he was unable to beat his first run score of 72.75.
After receiving 68.50 points for his first run, 2013 World Champion Nate Johnstone could not complete a superior run in his second attempt and he finished in 14th.
In the women's event, former World Champion and Olympian Holly Crawford finished 10th with a strong second run score of 78.25 points. Crawford was unlucky not to qualify for the final with only the top six progressing in the women's event.
Youth Olympic Games representative Emily Arthur put down two consistent runs in the women's event, scoring 61.75 points in the first and 51.75 points in the second to finish 17th overall.
Halfpipe finals will be held under lights on Saturday. Final events will be lived streamed at: https://www.skiandsnowboard.org.au/2017-snowboard--freestyle-world-champs/
Scotty James wins Olympic Test Event and Halfpipe World Cup series crown
Scotty James has put down "the run of his life" to win gold at the Phoenix PyeongChang Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup.
His third and final run in today's competition not only secured James the individual World Cup victory, but he takes home the overall 2016/2017 Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup series crown.
In an Australian first, Scotty James is the current World Cup, World Championship and X Games champion. He wears three of the four major world snowboard halfpipe crowns, the fourth being Olympic glory.
"I am absolutely over the moon!" James said.
"I knew what I had to do to come away with a win today and I just had to let the rest do the talking.
"To come away on top is just an amazing feeling."
The two-time VIS Olympian qualified for the final in fifth place. After a shaky start, only scoring 24.75 points in the first run of the final, James returned to his exceptional form to score 92.25 in the second run, before his series winning 96-point performance.
"The first one was just trying to get the jitters out," the 22-year-old said.
"I unfortunately came unstuck, but was able to put the next two down and probably the run of my life on the last one.
"I knew I had to mix it up to come away with a win today, especially with a field like there is here."
To claim the win, James had to defeat legendary American snowboarder Shaun White.
White is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, and winner of 24 winter and summer X Games medals in
snowboarding and skateboarding.
Winner of the Mammoth World Cup last weekend, White threatened James' victory today, finishing second overall, a mere one point behind James with a score of 95. China's Yiwei Zhang won bronze with 93.25.
James entered the final World Cup event sitting in second place on the overall leader board with 1700 points, trailing American Chase Josey by 260 points.
His victory at Bokwang Snow Park scored him 1000 points towards the discipline world standings and he claimed the overall series with 2700 points.
Josey finished second overall with 2360 points and White won bronze with 1930 points.
James is having the season he's always hoped for.
After finishing in the top 10 for all World Cup events this season - including winning silver in Laax in January – the 2015 World Champion won gold in the men's SuperPipe at the 2017 Aspen X Games on Australia Day.
"I am in a really good place at the moment on my board and off my board – life is really good.
"I've made big changes in my off-season and my pre-season. I started to take myself a little bit more seriously and approach it with a different attitude, and I will continue to do that."
To further sweeten today's glory, his win comes at the Test Event for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
According to James the pipe itself is exceptional, as is the atmosphere in PyeongChang.
"It has been an amazing week here in Korea – they have put on an amazing event for us.
"I absolutely love South Korea. The people here have been awesome, everyone loves snowboarding and is very supportive and helpful.
"And then the halfpipe obviously - they really turned that up for us.
"They've put on a really good pipe and I'm sure it's going to be exactly the same next year, so I think we can expect another really fierce competition in a year's time."
Teammate Kent Callister also qualified for today's 10-man final, finishing in eighth place; while Nate Johnstone finished 31st.
In the women's competition, 2016 Youth Olympian Emily Arthur had her first top-10 finish for the season, placing 10th with a run of 72.25. Triple Olympian Holly Crawford placed 13th and is now heading to Sapporo to represent Australia at the Asian Winter Games.
Although the World Cup season has come to an end, it is not the end of the Northern Hemisphere winter season for our snowboarders. James will now fly back to the US for the next American Cup, before defending his World Championship title in Sierra Nevada, Spain in March.
And he cannot wait for more to come.
"I'm in a really good place now, but I've still got a bit of a fire under my butt!
"I still want to keep on pushing and I've got stuff to work on to keep solidifying my place on top of the podium.
"I've now got a bit of a target on my back, but I like this position and I will keep working hard to make sure I can stay on top."
IMAGE: Halfpipe World Cup podium with (ltr) 2nd Shaun White (USA), 1st Scotty James (AUS) and 3rd Yiwei Zhang (CHN) in Bokwang Phoenix Park. Photo: Mateusz Kielpinski
Strong showing by Australia in the weather affected Mammoth Mountain Grand Prix
Weather has played havoc at the US Snowboard and Freeskiing Grand Prix event in Mammoth Mountain, CA, USA, with events shortened or cancelled completely.
The US Grand Prix also doubles as a FIS World Cup event counting towards Olympic qualification. Unfortunately, wild weather featuring high winds and snow forced the cancellation of the men's Slopestyle Skiing event which was to feature Russ Henshaw and Ryley Lucas. The extremely heavy conditions led to the men's Snowboard Halfpipe and Slopestyle qualification rounds to be abandoned.
In total, four top ten performances where achieved by the Australian athletes across three different disciplines.
The highlight of the event was 16-year-old NSWIS Snowboarder Tess Coady placing sixth in the slopestyle final in her first ever World Cup. Jess Rich was unable to advance to the eight woman final, finishing in 21st place.
VIS 2017 X-Games Gold Medallist Scotty James was the leading Australian male in the men's Snowboard Halfpipe, finishing in sixth place. NSWIS riders Kent Callister and Nathan Johnstone also had good runs in the difficult conditions placing eighth and eleventh respectively.
In the women's Snowboard Halfpipe, Holly Crawford made a positive start to her first event of the season finishing in eighth place, just missing advancing to the final by two places. Emily Arthur was also in action with a 14th place qualification performance.
The Snowboard Halfpipe athletes now head to PyeongChang, Korea, for the Olympic Test Event World Cup, with the Slopestyle Snowboarders and Skiers off to World Cup events in Quebec City, Canada.
IMAGE: Tess Coady in nicer weather conditions at Mammoth at the start of the week! © Tess Coady Instagram
Scotty James keeps racking up the accolades
X Games Gold medalist Scotty James.
After becoming one of the nation's youngest ever Winter Olympians in 2010, James competed at his second Games in 2014 and went on to become World Champion in 2015.
It wasn't much of a surprise then when he went out and backed up his World Cup silver to start 2017 with X Games gold last weekend in Aspen.
"It was overwhelming," James said.
"I had so much support from Australia as well as the US on the back of the event. It was quite special having some of the family at the bottom there watching too."
The young gun will now look to continue that hot form when he hits the pipe at the Mammoth Mountain World Cup event in California this weekend.
"I am feeling great on my board and the past couple of competitions have been a result of my preparation for this year. It's been an awesome ride so far and looking forward to more.
"I have come down with a bit of a cold post X Games but I have been up riding the practice days. I really love Mammoth and the pipe here and am excited for this week."
James will be joined by rising star and 2016 Winter Youth Olympic silver medallist Emily Arthur and three-time Olympian Holly Crawford.
Arthur recently finished 19th at the opening World Cup event of the season in Copper Mountain and will be looking to push her way up the rankings.
"It's been super fun being out in Mammoth and the pipe is insanely good," said Arthur.
"It's also nice as I have been based here this season so it's kind of like being on my home turf."
"It's such a stacked field out here I'm just planning to go out, land some runs and have fun. Hopefully it will pay off."
Like many of her Australian counterparts Arthur was stoked to see one of her teammates rise to the top of the sport.
"Scotty has been killing the game and it's so rad to see, it's kept Australia frothing and me too for sure.
"Hopefully some of his success rubs off on us."
For Crawford the event will be a chance to get back on the snow as she competes at her first FIS event in just under 12 months as she looks to push towards a fourth Olympic appearance in PyeongChang.
"I've only been back on my board for a little over a week since early March last year so I'm just hoping to get back into the swing of things and hopefully come out with a good result," Crawford said.
"The pipe has been really good here and practice has gone well. Unfortunately there is some bad weather coming in so fingers crossed it holds off."
James seventh in US Open Snowboard Final
OWIA/Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) supported Park & Pipe athlete Scotty James has finished in seventh place in the US Open Snowboard Halfpipe event in Vail, CO, USA.
James was impressive in Qualifying, moving through to the Final in sixth place in a strong field featuring many of the world's best snowboarders.
In the finals, James was on track to post a big score on his first run but unfortunately fell on his last hit. James posted his highest score on his third and final run, to finish ranked seventh.
The event was won by two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White of the USA, with Ben Ferguson, also of the USA in second and Japanese rider Taku Hiraoka in third.
OWIA/NSWIS athlete Holly Crawford also competed, finishing in 16th place in the women's Qualifying round.
The Women's evet was won by American teenage sensation Chloe Kim, with Cai Xuetong of China in second and Kelly Clark of the USA in third.
IMAGE: Scotty James boosting out of the Vail Halfpipe © Scotty James Instagram
Callister and Crawford finish inside top ten in Sapporo
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) athlete Kent Callister has finished sixth in the Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup event in Sapporo, Japan.
Callister finished with a best score of 85.25 in the Final, which he scored on his second run.
Teammate Nate Johnstone, after also qualifying for the ten man final, finished tenth, after falling in each of his three runs.
Scotty James finished 24th in qualifying, after falling in both his qualifying runs.
In the Women's Halfpipe, Holly Crawford just missed out on a spot in the Final after finishing eighth, with only the top six progressing to the final.
Crawford fell just 7.75 points short of qualifying for the final.
OWIA Sport Programs Update - Park & Pipe
Torah Bright, Holly Crawford, Russ Henshaw, Scotty James and Nathan Johnstone trained predominantly in NSW at Perisher and Thredbo resorts during the Australian season.
World Cup events took place at Cardrona in New Zealand during August for Slopestyle and Halfpipe.
Australia's leading performance in New Zealand came from Nathan Johnstone, who place seventh in the Snowboard Halfpipe event. Russell Henshaw placed 35th in Ski Slopestyle.
Other notable top-10 results in New Zealand came from NSWIS athletes Jess Rich who was seventh in Snowboard Slopestyle and Emily Arthur who placed ninth in Snowboard Halfpipe.
Kent Callister is currently in New Zealand training taking part in on snow training.
Callister wins first World Cup medal
Australian teenager Kent Callister won his first World Cup medal when he finished third in the snowboard halfpipe event in Park City, USA.
The podium finish is the season's highpoint achievement for Callister, who ends his World Cup commitments with a world ranking of four and results that support the promise he has shown since his World Cup debut at the age of 16.
Callister delivered an experienced performance, which almost contradicted the fact that today's event was just his seventh World Cup in an accelerating career.
By finishing on the podium along with event winner Yiwei Zang from China and American Taylor Gold, Callister has added to the steady stream of medals won by Australians in World Cup and the World Championships this season.
Callister stamped his claim for a place on the podium in the qualification session last Thursday when he posted the second best score in his heat.
His qualification score of 87.50 earned him a berth in the 10-man final.
Callister, 19, said that he was "super happy" with the result and went in to the event with a degree of confidence that a medal was within reach.
"I thought the run in the final was great," he said.
"I definitely thought there was potential for me to get on the podium but I suppose I wasn't really expecting it."
Being his first World Cup medal and having his dad, Brett Callister, who arrived at the venue just one hour before the start of the final, in the crowd made the result even more special for the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia/NSW Institute of Sport athlete.
"It was a super good contest and I was riding really well," Callister said. "I had a lot of fun.
"It was probably the best run I've ever done.
"I put in a few tricks that I've been working on over the past couple of months."
One of the additions to his repertoire is a front-side double cork 1080 and today was the first time he has landed one in competition.
Callister scored a 88.50 in the final with a double crippler, a back-side 900, a front-side 1080, a double cork 1080 and finished with a front-side double cork 1080.
Callister has ramped up the level of difficulty of his tricks this season in a quest to become more a threat at major events.
"I don't think I would have been able to get on the podium today without that last trick," Callister admitted.
Callister has experience significant improvement over the last two seasons but is certainly not resting on his laurels.
His improvement has drawn attention from many in the halfpipe fraternity, resulting in berths in two upcoming invitations only events, including the prestigious US Open in Vail next week.
Nate Johnstone and Holly Crawford finished in 11th and eighth respectively, narrowly missing the finals while Matthew Cox was 29th and Emily Arthur was 21st.
Slopestyle Ski & Snowboard: 13th place for Mullins in Park City
Also competing in Park City for Australia where a number of slopestyle ski and snowboard athletes.
OWIA/NSWIS and 2015 World Championship medallist Russ Henshaw had a difficult day in the men's skiing slopestyle qualifying, finishing in 26th place.
Competing in her second World Cup start, 16-year-old NSWIS athlete Mahalah Mullins recorded a 13th place performance in the women's snowboard slopestyle event.
IMAGE: Kent Callister (right) on the podium in Park City © Kent Callister
Crawford fourth in European Open
OWIA/NSWIS supported athlete Holly Crawford has recorded her best event of the 2014/2015 season, narrowly missing the podium by one place at the European Open in Laax, Switzerland.
Crawford qualified for the final in sixth place, and improved in the final to finish the event ranked fourth.
The women's event was won by American Kelly Clark, with Chloe Kim also from the USA in second and Swiss rider Nadja Purtschert in third.
Also in action for Australia competing in the men's event was OWIA/VIS athlete Scotty James in 12th and OWIA/NSWIS athlete Nathan Johnstone in 29th.
IMAGE: Holly Crawford boosting out of the Laax Halfpipe © Burton
Scotty James World Champion!
Snowboard halfpipe rider Scotty James claimed Australia's second gold medal in the FIS Ski and Snowboard World Championships in Kreischberg, Austria, this morning (Australian time).
The 20-year-old Olympic Winter Institute/Victorian Institute of Sport athlete secured his first major title ahead of China's silver medallist Zhang Yiwei and Slovakian Tim-Kevin Ravnjak.
In a day heralding a new beginning for Australian men's halfpipe, 19-year-old fellow OWIA/NSWIS rider Kent Callister also finished impressively in sixth place in the 10-man Championships final after winning his qualification heat yesterday.
James' gold medal comes 48 hours after aerial skier Laura Peel provide the perfect start to these Championships by leaving Kreischberg with her first major title win.
With wins to James and Peel, Australia has won two of the six gold medals awarded so far.
Right from the start of the halfpipe competition, James asserted his dominance over the strong field, and like Callister, he also won his heat to advance to the final.
And in the final, James immediately declared his intentions by putting down a highly impressive performance in his first run of the day.
It was this run of 91.50 points that the rest of the field were unable to equal. The next best were Zhang on 89.50 and Ravnjak on 89.25.
James said that the win "means the world to me" and was especially pleased to share the experience with his brother Tim, who was pipe-side to see his younger sibling secure gold.
"It's been such a crazy journey the last couple of years and I'm absolutely over the moon right now," he said.
"It feels like it has been a long time coming but today I guess it all worked out for me.
"I'm really happy right now and to do it for Australia is even better."
It's a journey that started 17 years ago when James' father Phil brought home a surprise for his then three-year-old son, a novelty display $10 snowboard.
James admits that the surprise was a "bit of a joke at the time" which has since evolved into serious business for the talented Australian.
At the age of three, the now 185cm tall athlete was too small for a conventional snowboard but when Phil saw the display snowboard, which was being used as a doorstop by a retailer, he had no idea that it would lead to a world championship title for his son.
"It all started when I was three when Dad bought me a little board which was actually a doorstop in a snow shop. It was like $10 and that is when it all started and I haven't stopped since," James recalled.
"I remember when he came home that night he said: 'I've got a little surprise for you'.
"I used that for a couple of years and onwards from there.
"I have an awesome crew around me and my family have been amazing."
Today's huge win is a clear sign of the transformation of James who, at the age of 15, was the youngest male athlete at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
"A while ago I was told I can stay where I am or put in the work and get some podiums.
"That has been my mentality this year and last year. The biggest thing is that I have grown up a lot. I'm a bit older and mature, making better decisions.
"My hunger to win big competitions has been a big part of it too.
"I'd like to say this is the start of a new journey for me. I like the feeling that I have right now. I'm going to fight for it every day and let my results do the talking."
James' good friend and mentor, two-time Olympic medallist, Torah Bright, finished in 6th place after qualifying in third while World Championships debutant Emily Arthur did well to finish 16th. Holly Crawford was 21st.
The women's title went to China's Cai Xuetong, the silver was won by Spain's Querait Castellet and Frenchwoman Clemence Grimal was third.
The other Australian, Nate Johnstone, was 12th.
The spotlight switches to moguls skiing tonight (Australian time) with the qualification session followed by the finals tomorrow.
Women's snowboard halfpipe World Championships, Kreischberg, Austria
1. Cai Xuetong (CHN), 2. Querait Castellet (SPA), 3. Clemence Grimal (FRA), 4. Hikaru Oe(JPN), 5. Sophie Rodriguez (FRA), 6. Torah Bright (AUS), 16. Emily Arthur (AUS), 21. Holly Crawford (AUS).
Men's snowboard halfpipe, World Championships, Kreischberg, Austria
1. Scotty James (AUS), 2. Zhang Yiwei (CHN), 3. Tim-Kevin Ravnjak (SLO), 4. Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI), 5. Taku Hiraoka (JPN), 6. Kent Callister (AUS), 12. Nate Johnstone (AUS).
Silver for Bright in epic Halfpipe final
Silver medalist Torah Bright of Australia celebrates during the flower ceremony for the Snowboard Women's Halfpipe Finals on day five of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 12, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.© Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Torah Bright has produced a sensational final run in the women's Halfpipe final to clinch silver – Australia's first medal at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. "It was perhaps one of the hardest events I've ridden in, in a long time. It was just really challenging," Bright said.
"I'm just so happy the night's over really and that I was able to put down a run."
The Vancouver 2010 champion was just 0.25 points behind American Kaitlyn Farrington who scored 91.75 with her second run. The bronze went to Torino 2002 champion and pre-event favourite Kelly Clark (USA) who nailed the last run of the competition (90.75) after falling heavily on her first run.
The standard was phenomenal and the tension was high at Extreme Park. American Hannah Teter was fourth with 90.50 after leading the 12-woman final from her 1st run.
Bright, 27, increased her degree of difficulty from qualification and held nothing back. On Run 1 she fell, missing her landing on a frontside 540 but she headed back up the hill and did the job second time round.
"After the first run I was like 'really? I did this again to my family and my friends watching, I put them through the wringer again, why?'" Bright said, referring to her similar ride at the Olympics four years ago.
The incredible performance follows Bright's seventh in the Slopestyle final three days ago. In four days she will race the Snowboard Cross, showing she is the most versatile and talented snowboarder at the Games.
"I don't care about the colour of the medal. Life isn't about winning it's about putting your best foot forward and sharing your light."
Born in Cooma, NSW, Bright is coached by her brother Ben, who has also been and emotional help for her, since her divorce from fellow snowboarder Jake Welch.
"I've got to give a shout out to Benny, especially this past year, he's been an incredible support to me. He has given so much to me. I love him, he's my brother, but he's a dear friend."
She went on to dedicate the silver medal to her biggest fans.
"It's for my family, it's for my brother, it's for everybody who takes joy from what I do."
Bright's medal follows her gold at Vancouver 2010 and it now takes Australia's total Olympic Winter tally to 10.
Before tonight in Sochi, Australian athletes had achieved five top-10 performances and are now on the medal tally for the sixth consecutive Winter Games.
Other Aussies that featured in the Snowboard Halfpipe event included Stephanie Magiros who finished 18th after making the semi-final, Hannah Trigger (20th) and Holly Crawford (26th).
Andrew Reid / Emily Groves | sochi2014.olympics.com.au
James makes an impact
Young gun Scotty James has capped off an impressive snowboard halfpipe World Cup at Copper Mountain with a sixth place.
Nineteen-year-old James, who was the youngest male athlete among all nations competing at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, rode maturely in today's 16-man final to finish in a stronger position than a number of more highly ranked athletes.
American's monopolised the podium with Taylor Gold, Gregory Bretz and Ben Ferguson finishing 1-2-3.
AIS / NSWIS athletes Kent Callister and Nate Johnstone were 37th and 38th.
In the women's event Australia's female Snowboard Halfpipe contenders had a tough day in the pipe, finishing in a cluster at the bottom of the qualifying standings: Amber Arazny (30th), Hannah Trigger (31st), Stephanie Magiros (36th), Alex Fitch (38th) and Holly Crawford (41st).
Snowboard Halfpipe international season preparation update
In June, the AIS Snowboard Halfpipe Team attended a training camp at Mt Bachelor, Oregon USA with a focus on big tricks in soft conditions.
During August, the AIS Snowboard Halfpipe Program headed to New Zealand to train for three weeks at Cardrona and Snow Park. With the shortage of a world class halfpipe facility in Australia, it was essential that the athletes be based in New Zealand to train effectively.
Whilst in New Zealand, the team competed in the opening World Cup of the season at the Cardrona Resort. Holly Crawford and Nathan Johnstone launched their seasons with positive performances, both finishing in seventh place. In a promising sign for the future Kent Callister finished in 16th place after qualifying in equal sixth place, and Scott James finished in an equal career best sixth place.
A major focus for the athletes has been a comprehensive strength and conditioning training program in Sydney. John Marsden, OWIA Strength and Conditioning coach, attended the AIS Snowboard Program camp in New Zealand in August to ensure athletes continue to make strength and conditioning gains whilst overseas and on snow.
After a straining block back at home in Sydney, the Halfpipe team has returned to New Zealand to take part in a month long spring training camp at Cardrona.
The Cardrona Halfpipe has been in great, but the athletes have been challenged with difficult weather.
Olympic Champion Torah Bright, will be participating in an OWIA supported four week spring camp Halfpipe & Slopestyle initiative, at Mt Hutt, New Zealand, from mid October through to mid November.
Season's positive start to Sochi
Australian snowboard halfpipe athletes launched their season and their march towards the 2014 Winter Olympic Games with positive performances in the season's first World Cup event in New Zealand's Cardrona resort today.
Australian Institute of Sport / NSW Institute of Sport athletes, Holly Crawford, the silver medallist in this year's World Championships, and Nathan Johnstone, ranked in the top 10 in the world, both finished seventh in the event which was part of the annual New Zealand Winter Games.
Nineteen-year-old NSWIS rider Scott James went one better placing sixth today, equalling his best World Cup result, after qualifying in equal sixth spot in the 61 man field and advanced through to the final with the fourth highest score in his semi-final.
Adding to the encouragement for the Australians, seventeen-year-old Kent Callister, who is also striving to win team selection for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in Russia next February, qualified in equal sixth place, but was unable to maintain his level in his semi-final, missing the cut for the final and finishing 16th overall.
Defending Olympic champion, Torah Bright, trained in New Zealand but elected not to compete.
The women's final was won by America's Kelly Clark, followed by China's Xuetong Cai in second place and American Gretchen Bleiler was in the bronze medal position.
Japanese riders Ayumu Hirano and Taku Hiraoka were first and second in the men's draw while Switzerland's Christian Haller placed third.
AIS snowboard halfpipe coach Ben Alexander said that although the squad would have preferred higher finishes, they will return to Australia with a number of positive outcomes and a clear indication that progress has been made towards a strong showing in Russia next year.
"We're looking at the big picture," Alexander said.
"We're now getting back into competition mode. I wouldn't say the results are outstanding but they were solid and they show that we are definitely moving in the right direction.
"The guys are in good shape and we are now looking to a great training camp in late September."
The snowboard halfpipe squad will journey back to New Zealand for four weeks from September 23 and return to the World Cup stage in December.
Crawford's podium finish at Olympic test event
Snowboard halfpipe athlete Holly Crawford delivered Australia's first podium finish at the site of next year's Winter Olympic Games in Sochi tonight (Russian time).
Crawford, the silver medallist at last month's World Championships, finished second in tonight's fourth round of this season's World Cup tour, which was also a test event for next year's Winter Olympic Games, but aggravated a long standing injury.
The Australian Institute of Sport / NSW Institute of Sport rider's condition was being assessed by medical personnel tonight, however, it is believed that the injury relates to rib cage cartilage damage.
She has been dealing with the condition since the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.
Crawford, who is known for her courage and resilience on the tour, could not attend tonight's medal ceremony, which would have been her 17th podium appearance in a stellar career.
The event started brilliantly for the Australian, with Crawford earning automatic inclusion in the final, bypassing the need to compete in the semi-finals, by finishing her qualification heat yesterday in third place.
Crawford arrived at tonight's halfpipe, which is part of a $50 billion-plus greenfield development for the 2014 Sochi Games, in discomfort after the rib injury recurred in the qualification session.
Her first run down the halfpipe in tonight's final saw the Perisher based rider deliver a solid performance, attracting 78 points from the judges, enough to earn her second place at the halfway mark of proceedings.
Approaching her second run for the night with more determination to press for the lead, Crawford fell early, in what appeared to be a minor mishap.
However, the slight fall immediately ended her hopes of improving her run one score.
Crawford finished second to America's two-time Olympic medallist Kelly Clark, with Frenchwoman Sophie Rodriguez in third.
Current Olympic champion Torah Bright showed glimpses of her talent but had to settle for seventh, resulting from a mistake on both runs, while other Aussie results saw Stephanie Magiros in 23rd, Hannah Trigger in 27th and Alexandra Fitch in 31st position.
AIS / NSWIS rider, Nathan Johnstone, was eighth in the men's final after replicating Crawford's performance of gaining automatic inclusion into tonight's final with the third best score in his qualification heat.
Johnstone, who went into the event with severe jetlag and a virus, was unable to complete a clean run tonight, but was encouraging with his level of difficulty and amplitude.
Japan's Taku Hiraoka won, with Switzerland's Iouri Podladtchikov second and American Scott Lago third.
Australians Scott James was 13th while AIS / NSWIS athlete Kent Callister was 58th.
Crawford's World Championship silver medal
Snowboard halfpipe rider Holly Crawford won a World Championship silver medal in Stoneham, Canada, today, becoming one of only three Australians to finish on the podium of the biennial event on three occasions.
Crawford added the second place to her gold medal from 2011 and another silver from 2009, which equals the World Championship record of retired Australian aerial skier Jacqui Cooper and 2006 Olympic Mogul Skiiing champion Dale Begg-Smith.
Despite going into these Championships with just two events to her name in that last 12 months due to injury, the Australian Institute of Sport / NSW Institute of Sport rider went close to defending her title from Spain two years ago.
Crawford was edged off the podium top spot by American Arielle Gold, while Frenchwoman Sophie Rodriguez took the bronze.
Crawford had to fight back from a warm up session just before the final, which saw her unable to complete a full run without a mistake, due to heavy snow and the pipe's slow conditions.
However, Crawford's experience and determination enabled her to adjust from the slow start to the day, with the second of her two runs scoring 77.25 points, just 1.75 points away from Gold's winning performance.
In the men's event Australia's other defending halfpipe champion and AIS / NSWIS rider Nathan Johnstone finished in seventh, after advancing to the final with the second best qualification score.
Two Australian teenagers, 18-year-old NSWIS athlete Scott James and AIS / NSWIS rider Kent Callister, 17, were both impressive in the qualification session, posting fifth and sixth best scores.
The pair finished their first World Championships in sixth and fifteenth, showing their potential for the future.
Swiss rider Iouri "i-pod" Podladtchikov was crowned World Champion, ahead of Japan's Taku Hiraoka and Fin Markus Marlin in third place.
Crawford said that while she had hoped for another world title, she was extremely pleased to finish in the silver medal position.
"I'm really happy with the result," Crawford said.
"It was really tough in there today. There was a lot of snow and the pipe was very slow and bumpy, which brings the field much closer together.
"It could have been anybody's day today.
"It was really a case of who could get their run down basically.
"The conditions were as tough as I have experienced in some time.
Crawford said that competing in only two events in the last 12 months and limited time with on-snow training was not an ideal way to defend her title.
"I was fairly confident that if I landed my run that I would be on the podium," she said.
"There was definitely more that I would have liked to have done. I suffered a bit of a setback with my injury but you take the good with the bad."
AIS halfpipe program coach Ben Alexander said that the conditions were unsuited to Johnstone's riding style.
"Nathan likes to do his tricks really big out of the halfpipe and today with the pipe being really slow, it made it difficult for Nathan to perform at his best," Alexander said.
"It was a tough day for Nate.
"When you perform your tricks going extremely high out of the halfpipe, that sets you apart from somebody who can't go that big.
"The conditions were the same for everybody but the guys who don't go high out of the halfpipe have an advantage in these conditions."
Johnstone and Bright both win at Copper Mountain
Australian Institute of Sport / NSW Institute of Sport snowboard halfpipe athlete Nathan Johnstone should go into next week's World Championships at Stoneham, Canada, with great confidence and Torah Bright is recapturing the form that earned her a Winter Olympic Games gold medal after both recorded strong victories today.
Johnstone, the reigning World Champion, and Bright completed his-and-hers World Cup wins at Copper Mountain, USA, which has elevated Johnstone to the number one ranking while Bright has jumped to second place on the standings.
Their performances prompted AIS halfpipe coach Ben Alexander to describe the results as "outstanding", given the level of talent in the event and the standard the Australians set today.
Johnstone was in great form finishing ahead of second and third placed Americans Luke Mitrani and Louie Vito while Bright was victorious over the 2002 Winter Olympic Games gold medallist Kelly Clark, from the United States, and Spanish rider Queralt Castellet who finished third.
"Both Nate and Torah were outstanding today," Alexander said.
"With the number of young talented riders entering the sport now and the fact that the last Olympics were three years ago and everybody is now so much better, today's wins were outstanding," Alexander said.
Johnstone wowed the judges and spectators, as well as surprising everybody except himself and other Australians, with a technical run consisting of a backside air to a frontside double cork 1080, a cab 1080 taipan, a frontside 900 mute and a backside 900 melon.
Bright was awarded the day's highest score, 85.75, in her first of two runs with a backside air to air to air fakie, a cab 720 indy, frontside air, backside 540 mute and a backside alley oop rodeo 540.
Johnstone and Bright headlined a record breaking day for Aussie World Cup skiers and snowboarders, a day that consisted of an unprecedented two wins and a further three podium finishes in just one day.
Seventeen-year-old Kent Callister also provided his share of dazzle to the day by finishing ninth in the field of 83 men in just his second World Cup event.
Since making his World Cup debut in New Zealand last August as a 16-year-old, the young gun has impressed, establishing himself as a potential high achiever in years to come.
Another Australian teenager, 2010 Olympian Scott James, finished in 28th while in the women's draw reigning World Champion and AIS / NSWIS athlete Holly Crawford experienced mistakes in the qualifying round and had to be content with 35th place.
NSWIS athlete Stephanie Magiros was 27th while Alex Fitch placed 34th.
Aussies make their mark in Breckenridge
Australian snowboard athletes have recorded impressive results today in one of the world's most prestigious halfpipe events, the Dew Tour, in Breckenridge, USA.
Reigning Olympic gold medallist Torah Bright showed her rivals that her comeback is progressing strongly with an impressive fourth place while defending World Champion and AIS/NSWIS rider, Nate Johnstone finished the final in sixth.
Given the quality of the field and the athletes who finished in the first five places of the men's final – Shaun White, Louie Vito, Taku Hiraoka, Christian Haller and Ayumu Hirano – Johnstone's sixth place is a great early season result.
Australian Institute of Sport halfpipe program coach Ben Alexander labeled Johnstone's performance as "particularly positive" with the World Championships in Stoneham, Canada, just four weeks away.
"Anybody who is a big name in halfpipe was there so Nate was very pleased to be invited to compete," Alexander said.
"It would have been nicer to finish higher in the results but sixth in that list is still very impressive."
In other results, Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder, 17-year-old Kent Callister, showed why big things are expected of him in the future when he finished 18th in the semi-final.
AIS/NSWIS scholarship holder and 2011 World Champion Holly Crawford, who missed most of last season with an injury, took another step in her comeback when she finished 9th in the semis.
American Kaitlyn Farrington picked up the winner's prize, followed by Spain's Querait Castellet, American Maddy Schaffrick, Torah Bright from Australia and American Kelly Clark in fifth place.


STAMFORD (Radsoft) -- Squeezed in between cotton and rubber - as of 2008 the Microsoft brand ranks way down the list from its pole position in 1996. They're #59 right after Fruit of the Loom and right before Michelin. At least in the US.
IBM are the only IT company in the listing at #18. Apple don't rank at all.
And this according to CoreBrand who conducted 12,000 interviews with decision makers from the top 20% of US corporations.
Although the brands discussed could be 'international' it's more likely US based executives would more readily recognise local brands.
Back in 1996 Microsoft were #1. Cutler's NT with its ODBC had cut into Sun's market, Windows 94 was finally out, and academia and research began their short fling with Microsoft.
By the year 2000 the fling was over and Microsoft were to get hit by the first of an endless stream of major exploits. Despite this - and despite their products never really 'making it' from a security POV - Microsoft could still hold #12 in 2004. But that's four years ago.
Despite the devastation of the Love Bug and despite it being eminently clear this devastation was due to one software supplier and a single one of their products things moved very slowly. Big boats don't turn swiftly in the night - corporations are locked into IT solutions they need time to adjust.
Several followup worms appeared in the autumn of 2000 - and at least one of them was introduced specifically to get people to 'smell the coffee'. And some did but it was all too few.
Still the same Microsoft software gradually acquired a reputation for jeopardising user safety. Microsoft's web server IIS was attacked time and again - and has had zero day exploits no one's ever been able to solve. Apache won a majority share of the server market; Bill Gates apologised to the world for the misery and suffering his software had caused; and so forth.
And in the meantime Unix™ enjoyed a comeback.
Apple, IBM, Sun, Red Hat, Linux, Novell, SuSE: none of these companies were able to make much of a mark on the desktop but almost all of them won significant shares of the server market. Companies today rely more and more on open source products to protect their networks.
Apple came out of nowhere to acquire NeXT Software, flirt with the open source movement, dangle visions of a new cross platform API that ran on Windows - and above all put good design to use to create products that were immediately appealing to besieged Windows home users.
Apple hardware not only looked better - it was also safer. Running Power processors nary a hacker had ever learned to code and running a close relative of FreeBSD with assistance from FreeBSD's cofounder and sporting a space age desktop for that all important 'showroom appeal' Apple were suddenly attracting more awake users everywhere.
Being able to run open source software meant academia and science who had kissed and made up with Unix™ could run their projects on hardware a lot fancier than your typical Wintel junk. Where once a 'Mac' got a raised eyebrow it suddenly got grins and smiles.
The introduction of the iPod only increased market awareness of the Apple brand.
Meanwhile Linus Torvalds made it to the moon. Not personally - but his operating system did. Linux on the server became not only the standard but the 'smart thing'.
All the while Microsoft products continued to get hit with all sorts of malware no other platform could be victimised by. The cottage industries profiting by and supporting Microsoft's products did their best to keep a lid on things but gradually people began to figure things out on their own. And that includes corporate decision makers - the kind who responded to CoreBrand's survey.
Red Hat - those stalwarts who refused to be intimidated by Ballmer's chair throwing tactics - have continued to experience growth and primarily in the corporate sector. IBM continue to do the same.
Things are bleak on the Internet in 2008. IT crime is rampant. A paltry few expertly run botnets control millions of Windows computers and spew out almost all of the spam. And spam today is the harbinger of other things a hundred times worse. And this is all down to Microsoft software. And over the years the Microsoft apologists have attempted to cloud this fact - but to no avail. People everywhere - kitchen table users and corporate decision makers both - seem to be catching on.
Yet it's a wonder things have taken this long.
And of course there's the 'brain drain' away from Microsoft and to Google. Today Google are the 'cool' company to work for; and Google are changing the topology of computing, moving more and more solutions to the Internet and away from the local computer. Compaq demonstrated years ago that for ordinary purposes the operating system wasn't really necessary; Microsoft all along have done all in their power to lock computer use into an operating system - their operating system.
And today there are free and unfettered alternatives to Microsoft products for the local computer as well.
People are increasingly sick and tired of the myopic Microsoft way of doing things; the twisted distorted Microsoft view of Internet technology; the endless quirks in everyday use Microsoft products are responsible for; and the classic legendary 'third rate quality'. Bill Gates never tried to be best - he only tried to make the most money.


Cedar roofs are one of the most beautiful and efficient roofing materials. However, they are the one roofing material that absolutely must be maintained. Without routine cleaning and maintenance, the cedar shakes and shingles will decay from a host of organic materials and wood destroying fungi. To avoid this damage, it is recommended that cedar roofs be cleaned and maintained every 8 to 10 years (sooner if in a wet and rainy environment). So long as they are maintained, the cedar roof will last up to 60 years or more. At Coast Roof Cleaning, we understand the delicate nature of cedar roofs. Our cleaning solution and process is completely safe to you and the environment, while effectively removing the harmful organic material buildup from the shakes and shingles. At no time will we use a damaging pressure washer or walk on your roof. All our cleaning is done without pressure from the safety of a ladder, so there is no risk in damaging your beautiful cedar shakes and shingles.


text:
The Student Awards Committee deals with Law Society awards for students-at-law. These are the Hunt Award, The Legal Aid NL Family Law Award, the William J. Browne Scholarship, the Maxwell J. Pratt Scholarship, The Provincial Court Judges' Association Award, the Spracklin Award, and the O'Reilly Award.
These awards are presented annually at the Law Society Dinner and Dance.
The Hunt Award
Presented to the student-at-law who receives the highest overall average mark in the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador's Bar Admission Course.
The Legal Aid NL Family Law Award
Presented to the student-at-law achieving the highest mark in the Family Law Examination of the Bar Admission Course.
The William J. Browne Scholarship
Presented to a student-at-law who has submitted the winning research essay on a legal issue of current public concern.
The Maxwell J. Pratt Scholarship
Based on academic performance and is presented to a student-at-law who is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland and a student at Dalhousie Law School.
The Provincial Court Judges' Association Award
Presented to the student-at-law achieving the highest mark in the Criminal Law Examination of the Bar Admission Course.
The Spracklin Award
Presented to the student-at-law achieving the highest mark in the Real Estate/Wills Examination of the Bar Admission Course.
The O'Reilly Award
Presented to the student-at-law achieving the highest mark in the Civil Practice and Procedure Examination of the Bar Admission Course.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Don't lose sight of your goods!
With the help of our Track and Trace via Internet, you are practically able to monitor your consignments during the whole transport process. The barcodes assigned to each individual package are rescanned at each interface and data is fed directly into our central IT system.
You only need to enter your consignment barcode number to know whether your consignment has reached its destination. A service that makes it easier to plan just-in- time deliveries. Together with our short delivery times of 24/48 hours this gives you optimal flexibility.
software is needed to use the program.


text:
package org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.server.impl;

import org.apache.activemq.artemis.api.core.ActiveMQException;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.config.Configuration;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.paging.PagingManager;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.persistence.StorageManager;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.postoffice.PostOffice;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.protocol.core.Channel;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.protocol.core.ChannelHandler;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.remoting.server.RemotingService;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.replication.ReplicationManager;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.server.ActiveMQServer;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.server.NodeManager;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.server.QueueFactory;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.server.cluster.ha.HAManager;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.server.cluster.ha.StandaloneHAManager;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.server.group.GroupingHandler;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.server.management.ManagementService;
import org.apache.activemq.artemis.spi.core.remoting.Acceptor;

/**
* An activation controls the lifecycle of the server and any components specific to the Activation itself.
*/
public abstract class Activation implements Runnable
{
   public abstract void close(boolean permanently, boolean restarting) throws Exception;

   /*
   * freeze the connection but allow the Activation to over ride this and decide if any connections should be left open.
   * */
   public void freezeConnections(RemotingService remotingService)
   {
      if (remotingService != null)
      {
         remotingService.freeze(null, null);
      }
   }

   /*
   * allow the activation t ooverride this if it needs to tidy up after freezing the connection. its a different method as
   * its called outside of the lock that the previous method is.
   * */
   public void postConnectionFreeze()
   {
   }

   /*
   * called before the server is closing the journals so the activation can tidy up stuff
   * */
   public void preStorageClose() throws Exception
   {
   }

   /*
   * called by the server to notify the Activation that the server is stopping
   * */
   public void sendLiveIsStopping()
   {
   }

   /*
   * called by the ha manager to notify the Activation that HA is now active
   * */
   public void haStarted()
   {
   }

   /*
   * allows the Activation to register a channel handler so it can handle any packets that are unique to the Activation
   * */
   public ChannelHandler getActivationChannelHandler(Channel channel, Acceptor acceptorUsed)
   {
      return null;
   }

   /*
   * returns the HA manager used for this Activation
   * */
   public HAManager getHAManager()
   {
      return new StandaloneHAManager();
   }

   /*
   * create the Journal loader needed for this Activation.
   * */
   public JournalLoader createJournalLoader(PostOffice postOffice, PagingManager pagingManager, StorageManager storageManager, QueueFactory queueFactory, NodeManager nodeManager, ManagementService managementService, GroupingHandler groupingHandler, Configuration configuration, ActiveMQServer parentServer) throws ActiveMQException
   {
      return new PostOfficeJournalLoader(postOffice,
            pagingManager,
            storageManager,
            queueFactory,
            nodeManager,
            managementService,
            groupingHandler,
            configuration);
   }

   /*
   * todo, remove this, its only needed for JMSServerManagerImpl, it should be sought elsewhere
   * */
   public ReplicationManager getReplicationManager()
   {
      return null;
   }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


"America's abundance was created not by public sacrifices to the common good, but by the productive genius of free men who pursued their own personal interests and the making of their own private fortunes. They did not starve the people to pay for America's industrialization. They gave the people better.
"Thousands of years ago, the first man discovered how to make fire. He was probably burned at the stake he had taught his brothers to light. He was considered an evildoer who had dealt with a demon mankind dreaded. But thereafter men had fire to keep them warm, to cook.
"Of course the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you--if you don't play, you can't win." How nice it would be if we had something, anything, we could devote our entire lives to. Yes, yes, I know many of us would have the claim that our lives are being.
As always, there's a lot on my mind. One of the things that I have struggled with for many years is the concept of surrendering my life to G-d; the complete and utter passing of the torn of all of my struggles, successes, wills, and desires to Him for the.
"In the name of the best within you, do not sacrifice this world to those who are its worst. In the name of the values that keep you alive, do not let your vision of man be distorted by the ugly, the cowardly, the mindless in those who have never.
"I love you. As the same value, as the same expression, with the same pride and the same meaning as I love my work, my mills, my Metal, my hours at a desk, at a furnace, in a laboratory, in an ore mine, as I love my ability to work,.
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be.
"Just remember, the same as a spectacular Vogue magazine, remember that no matter how close you follow the jumps: Continued on page whatever. No matter how careful you are, there's going to be the sense you missed something, the collapsed feeling under your skin that you didn't experience it all..
"Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice" Happy Fathers Day. It's days like today where I remember the wonderful examples and lessons that have been placed in my life through the memory of my father, Willem Lucas Plaat (5/31/57-7/29/07). Dad,.


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Lower abdominal pain is a common phenomenon especially for the male. There are many reasons which can be responsible for the pain in the lower abdominal area. Generally abdominal pain in men refers to the pain that actually originates from the numerous organs placed within the abdomen.
Generalized lower abdominal pain in men is typically a normal indicator of gentle abnormalities, whereas localized pain within the abdomen will signify severe complications related to your health. All instances of the lower abdominal pain in men need to be checked by any professional doctor for the actual causes as well as remedial measures.
One of the most common reasons to why men will suffer from lower abdominal soreness in men is because of kidney stones. While developing small stones may trigger no symptoms at all, when the stones will grow bigger and gain irregular sizes, that's when the bleeding and the pain will also start to appear. Kidneystones can be potentially dangerous and that is why they抣l have to be identified and treated as soon as possible. If people don't do anything about them, then the stones may block the drainage of urine causing kidney infections and stasis.
Even though when it comes to the appendix it doesn't really have any specific function, because of certain factors it may get inflamed and accumulate pus. As the amount of pus increases, it will become very painful for the individual and he'll find it very difficult to even walk, cough or move at all. What's worrying about this type of inflammation is the speed at which it progresses and within just a few hours, the patient will have to be rushed to the hospital for surgical treatment. The appendix will be surgically removed before it ruptures and infects the entire system.
lower abdominal cramps in men can also be caused by IBS or irritable bowel syndrome. When this happens, the individual will not only experience abdominal pain, but also diarrhea and constipation. IBS is a chronic condition of the gastrointestinal system and when cared for properly, it will still take years to manage.
Another factor that will cause pain in the lower abdominal area of men are inflammations of any of the organs of the reproductive system. One of the conditions that men may experience is vesiculitis, which describes the inflammation of the seminal vesicles which case moderate or even severe lower abdominal pain.
Another cause for lower abdominal distress in men may experience is because of bladder infections and if individuals suffer from a bacterial infection, the pain may also be accompanied by painful urination and fever. The infection needs to be treated very fast by using antibiotics, because if not, it may easily spread and affect the kidneys.
This is very common for a lot of persons especially male. The difficulty of the digestive system makes push triggers for pain in the lower right abdominal area. This is because of the extra work that the muscles have to do which also puts significant pressure on the abdominal area.
Another reason to why men may experience pain in the lower abdominal areas is because of cystitis. This is a disorder of the urinary traction which occurs because of a bacterial infection. The first thing men will feel is the inflammation with symptoms like uneasiness in the pelvic region, a burning sensation in the urinary tract, the tendency of urinating frequently and of course, pain in the lower abdomen.
Different types of cancer in the abdominal can also lead to pain in that area. The reason why this type of aching should never be ignored is because it may also be symptom of some life taking diseases like bowel cancer or colon cancer.
For male persons who are suffering from coiled testicle, a severe abdominal pain can be felt. The pain generally comes with vomiting, nausea and pain in the testicles. This type of pain can come in surges but in some worse cases, it would not go away. Hence, it is important to consult a doctor right away after experiencing such pain.
This is a disease that damages the large bowel. The pain in the lower right side of abdomen is just one of the symptoms because this normally causes weight loss and bloody stool too.
Food poisoning could be another cause of these abdominal pains. When you eat food that contains a parasite or bacteria, it causes a digestive disorder that causes pain on your lower left part of the abdomen. Food poisoning normally takes 1 to 48 hours after the food is indigested.
Viral gastroenteritis or stomach flu is an intestinal infection which is marked by watery diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramps and sometimes fevers. It is responsible for pain in the lower abdomen area in men.
This is when pouches called diverticula form around the colon and get inflamed. The inflammation in that area causes pain in left side of the lower abdomen. The pain could also be associated with discomforts such as bloating, nausea, constipation, fever and in some worst cases diarrhea.
Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation in the pancreas. It is a serious condition, so the patient should seek for medical attention in case he experiences symptoms like acute pain, abnormal heart rhythms, upper stomach pain, back pain and nausea.
Another aspect to note is the duration of the pain and most of the times, men will ignore mild pain which has been on for many weeks or even months. Even if the pain is mild though, it should not be ignored.
Before diagnosis though, individuals should also observe the pain very carefully and then offer a complete report to their doctor for him to be able to put a clear and correct diagnosis. The nature of the pain is very important and it can be severe and sudden if there's a block in the blood supply. On the other hand, sometimes the pain can be intermittent and sometimes mild, but prolonged. All this info is very important and it needs to be communicated to the doctor in full.


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About Charlie Freeman
Posts by Charlie Freeman:
My Father No. 5 Toro Review
Josè Pepín García has been in the American cigar market for less than fifteen years; he started out in 2002, having left his home country of Cuba a year earlier. Yet, in that comparatively short period of time, García and his children have established a tobacco empire to be reckoned with in the form of the My Father Cigars company; they have received numerous accolades, including the Number 1 spot in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of 2012 with their Flor de Las Antillas blend. Here, I'll be taking on the namesake brand of My Father Cigars, the Toro, specifically.
Form and Substance
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Habano-Rosado
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Dimensions: 6' x 56"
Aesthetics, Construction and Feel
I have always been a fan of the artistry of the My Father cigar labels. They are colorful, but not at all flashy; fancy, but not tacky; genuine. This My Father is no different, its lovely pink-themed label offering a peak into the García family's proud history, in addition to the greatness of the cigar itself.
The wrapper is a bit on the rugged side, and the primary veins of the leaf are quite prominent. On the other hand, these are the only veins that one will ever see on this cigar, no matter how closely he or she will examine it. Furthermore, the body is well-rolled, with little to no soft spots to be found.
Smoke and Flavor
As I place the flaming piece of cedar before this most reputable behemoth, I am taken aback as the first puff comes with absolute ease; the draw is ridiculously smooth and the smoothness is amazingly consistent, varying little as I burn through the stogy. The massive toro has the occasional problems with canoeing, which got me nervous more than a few times. Fortunately, the stogy requires little maintenance, always doing the dirty work for me by righting itself. Thus, the Garcías have once again proven why they're among the best in craftsmanship.
The palate is greeted by a warm flavor of straight up spice that gently wets the palate and leaves a zesty sensation of pepper on the lips with every puff. As I approach the second third of the cigar, the spice becomes more concentrated as it morphs into a lovely variant of cinnamon. The cinnamon stays at the forefront for the remainder of the cigar, joined in the final third by the occasional burst of coffee in the background. As the nub is approached, the spice that has consistently graced the lips with every puff begins to intensify, competing with the cinnamon and coffee notes. Then, on the final puffs, these two competing forces coalesce into a balanced and most satisfying equilibrium, like a perfectly baked cake. Thus, the smoke experience comes to an end riding on a high note of cinnamon, spice and everything nice.
There's nothing particularly surprising about the My Father No. 5 toro; it's a beautifully crafted cigar that consistently delivers a great draw and a diverse repertoire of flavor for the smoker. There were a few close calls on the wrapper because of the canoeing, but this likely a result of the cold weather it inevitably had to be exposed to while on the way the cigar lounge where it was smoked (the lounge being Papa Juan, which is way uptown on 141st & Broadway). Thus when the cold is factored out of the equation, this beautiful behemoth of a stogy is an excellent choice for anyone who's looking to enjoy a good, long smoke after a cold, hard day.
Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience
This cigar is by no means a hard hitter, but it's got a bit of a kick to it, especially with the peppery essences it leaves on the lips. There's of course nothing wrong with that, but it can get away from you if you're not careful. So help yourself to a nice glass of wine to help wash it down.
Purchase the My Father No. 5 Toro Here
Cigar Review: Tatuaje Tattoo Caballero
In an unprecedented spark of creativity, Tatuaje, which is Spanish for "Tattoo," has officially released a brand new habano line: the Tattoo. Originally released on a limited run in 2011, the Tattoo proved to be so popular that Tatuaje decided to re-introduce it into the market permanently a few years later, proudly proclaiming to have changed absolutely nothing since its 2011 limited release. What makes this cigar interesting is that its a cigar that was resurrected solely by the power of popular demand. This isn't an easy feat for any cigar to accomplish, so let's see what the people are raving about…
Blend Specifics
Vitola: Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
At first glance, the Tattoo is an impressive sight to behold. It's dark habano wrapper makes it look more like a maduro. The wrapper contrasts effectively with its smooth and leathery wrapper, giving off an aura of edgy sophistication.
However, as I move beyond the gestalt and take a closer look, I find the Tattoo to have arguably the most veiny wrapper I've ever seen thus far; every single vein is prominent, with the leaf stems making the wrapper's look and texture uneven. Fortunately, aesthetics are not what count in the long run. Furthermore, the construction is flawless; the body is sturdy, yet soft like a cushion with no soft spots.
The first few puffs are solidly good; each puff is spicy, chewy and smooth, and brings forth a voluminous and aromatic smoke cloud, a feat made easy and enjoyable by a well-balanced draw. One problem is made apparent, however; the ash holds its form well, but it is very loose. I learned this the hard way. Fortunately, disposing of the ash is an easy task by virtue of the fact that the Tattoo burns at a comfortably predictable pace and an astonishingly even rate; it never comes close to canoeing throughout the entire smoke, which lasts about an hour-and-a-half.
The flavor is undoubtedly the most pleasant of the Tattoo's many surprises. There is spice on every single puff, and with every puff comes along a helping of pepper. What's most interesting about the flavor is the presence of a dark wood flavor that is surprisingly heavy for an habano. Fortunately, the dark taste doesn't hit the smoker very hard the way a maduro might. This confirms the Tattoo's habano strength level and offers the smoker a maduro-like flavor without the buzz. As the first quarter of the cigar is cleared, a sortie of other minor flavors pop up in the background to supplement the spice and dark wood, flavors including sugar in the second quarter, leather in the middle and near the final third, and the occasional delightful essence of dark chocolate from the final quarter to the nub.
If I could put my entire train of thought into a single abstract sentence, then it would go something like this: The Tatuaje Tattoo is more or less exactly what I expected it to be from the start. It was smooth on the draw, dark in flavor and even on the burn. The people said they wanted a good cigar back for good, and that's exactly what they've got with this. In short, the Tatuaje Tattoo is an elegantly tough smoke that is popular for a wide variety of good reasons, and should be tried at least once. You might not make it your go-to cigar, but you definitely won't regret smoking it.
Fortunately, this habano cigar requires little other than a match to make it good. However, a little red wine is always a good idea when it comes to balancing the medium-bodied smoke with a medium-bodied drink.
Purchase the Tatuaje Tattoo Here
Cigar Review: Camacho Ecuador
Since reviewing the Camacho Connecticut Toro, I had not only warmed up to Camacho cigars, but I had also given them a great set of expectations to live up to after my successful run with the Connecticut. Can the Ecuador Toro live up to, and possibly one-up, the Connecticut? Let's see.
Binder: Brazil; Mata Fina
Honduras & Dominican Republic; Corojo, Criollo Ligero, Pelo de Oro
The simplicity of the label is an essential part of this stogie's allure: its overt simplicity distinguishes it from 99% of the premium cigars on the market, whose labels are deliberately more ornate to reflect the brands' heritage and traditions. Thus the Ecuador jumps out at you and exerts a stranglehold on your attention and curiosity, making it hard to resist giving it a try.
The wrapper makes for an excellent second impression; the veins are noticeable, but it's well-constructed. There are no soft spots, no cracks, no loose ends. Finally, the wrapper has a rugged, leathery texture and a wonderful odor that is curiously similar to the full-bodied smell of many Cuban cigars. This all sounds promising, but will the smoke experience fulfill the first impressions' promises?
The Ecuador definitely starts off on the right foot. The first few puffs are are solid without being harsh. The flavor is rich and smoky, lightly resembling southern barbecue. The smoke clouds are rich and thick as well, bearing a lovely essence of coffee. After the first fifth is done, the smoky flavor seamlessly transitions into a nice, black wood-like flavor. The black wood remains at the forefront right up to the end.
The draw is a bit too constricted, which makes puffing seem like a chore at times. The draw remains tight until the nub of the cigar, where the draw can always be trusted to breathe more freely. In spite of the tightness of the draw, however, the burn is conveniently slow and remains almost perfectly even throughout the smoking experience. As I step out to get some fresh air, I am astonished to find that not even the stiff breeze outside can hinder the burn in any significant way. Finally, and perhaps most remarkably of all, the finish is excellent; it's a solid finish that is fully enjoyable due to the unusual absence of the harsh spice that the average cigar nub has. This is a completely new experience that I could easily get used to.
All in all, I was genuinely impressed with this cigar from start to finish. The flavor was deliciously dark and consistent; the burn was stubbornly even throughout, requiring no maintenance on my part; the smoke clouds were thick and aromatic; and last, but certainly not least, the impeccable ease of the finish made for a spectacular end to a wonderful smoke. What's more is that I felt little to no tobacco buzz, despite having only eaten a slice of pizza before lighting up. This cigar may not look like a premium right off that bat, but rest assured, the Camacho Ecuador can run with the best of 'em.
While this dark habano might not give you a dry mouth, it's still a darker cigar. As such, a nice cup of coffee or a cocktail is always recommended to balance the Ecuador's smoky essence.
Cigar Review: Camacho Connecticut
Below is another review by New York City cigar aficionado Charlie Freeman. I recommended this cigar for a review after it taking a spot in my regular line up because of its quality and consistency.
True confession time: I was immediately skeptical of this cigar and of the brand name that it bears the moment I laid eyes on it. It's simplistic, it's intense and in it's unashamedly up in your face, like it or not; this attitude is a far cry from the cigar culture I'm familiar with, where calmness, courtesy and respect are prioritized. However, experience has taught me that you can't judge a stogie by its label; so let's get down to business.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Corojo
Filler: Honduran Generoso, Aleman Ligero
Country of Origin: Honduras
Aesthetics, Construction andFeel
The bright orange label may not be the most sophisticated I've ever laid eyes on, but there's something about it that attracts the eye. With the label juxtaposed against the beige wrapper, the Connecticut evokes images of peanut butter in my head. And I do love peanut butter…
The stogie itself is excellently constructed: there are few veins, and the veins that are there are difficult to notice; the wrapper has a smooth and velvety feel to it; the odor has an ever-so-slight sweetness to it, an odor reminiscent of many Dominican-made cigars. Finally, there are no soft spots or openings detected in the wrapper.
Right off the bat, the stogie delivers an excellent performance. From the very beginning to the very end the draw is remarkably well-balanced: not too tight, not too loose. For every deliciously chewy puff, there is a lush, voluminous cloud of smoke that carries with it a warm and woody odor. Despite its tendency to lose the ash rather quickly, the Connecticut's burn is surprisingly consistent, remaining even throughout the entire cigar.
However, the real treat for this particular stogie is its flavor. Right away, the smoker is greeted by a natural, light, woody flavor that wets the palate. Right up to the end, the wood is consistently at the forefront of the flavor. Much to my surprise, the wood doesn't give way to any spice at the end, making for a smooth, satisfying finish.
With a chewy, perfectly balanced draw, even burn, tantalizing woody flavor and solid start and finish, I can honestly say that this is the greatest connecticut strength cigar I have ever smoked thus far. Make no mistake, this is a lot coming from someone who has been smoking consistently for three years. This work of art is a must for smokers of all tastes and experience levels; it's not harsh in any for beginners, and its flawless construction and flavor is guaranteed to leave even the most experienced smoker reeling.
Final Grade: A+
Anything with peanut butter in it is a perfect complement to this chewy mild stogie; so break out that old peanut butter cookie recipe that you haven't had an excuse to use yet!