Beneath millions of watts of suspended halogen bulbs, a small crew hikes the decks of the massive Breckenridge superpipe equipped with backpack spray rigs. Spectators sift into cordoned-off viewing areas like so much sand through a sociomorphic hourglass. As the green lines materialize farther and farther up the field of play, speakers ionize the air with an invigorating mix of electronica, hip hop, and indie electronica.

Engines growl in the distance. And as a fleet of snowmobiles shuttles the world's best pipe skiers to the start area, you know that what you are about to see will be described as the most impressive display in superpipe competition history by every sports writer looking for a good way to kick off an article.

Men Superpipe Final Results
Rank	Competitor	Nationality	Score
1	Mike Riddle	CAN	93.00
2	Josiah Wells	NZL	91.50
3	Xavier Bertoni	FR	90.75
4	Kevin Rolland	FR	87.75
5	Justin Dorey	CAN	82.50
6	Simon Dumont	USA	81.00
7	Matt Duhamel	USA	76.25
8	Banks Gilberti	USA	67.75
9	Dan Marion	USA	60.25
10	Matt Margetts	CAN	50.25
11	Thomas Krief	FR	46.00
12	David Wise	USA	14.25

Rhetorical convenience aside, the standing-room-only Breckenridge crowd hollered in sincere awe as twelve world class athletes from four first world countries aggressively rode pipe.

Canadian Mike Riddle reiterated the statement that he made in yesterday's semifinal round to put a tick in the "W" column at his first major contest of the season. Finishing just behind Riddle was the Kiwi Josiah Wells, who has ostensibly resumed his multidisciplinary virtuosity—nagging injuries had kept Wells out of the pipe during most of the 2008-2009 winter season.

"Jossi's riding tonight filled me with emotions that might have brought tears to the eyes of a man less masculine than myself," said friend and fellow Atomic team rider Chris Benchetler of Well's silver performance. "The young man's mind is a fearsome weapon, and he's unstoppable as long as his body can keep up."

Frenchman Xavier Bertoni couldn't keep up with the Kiwi. But his daring run characterized by massive something, consistent something, precise something, and outstanding Overall Impression reminded the judges that the reigning Winter X Superpipe champion hasn't been resting on his laurels. Bertoni scored a mere 0.75 points below Wells to claim the third spot.

Xavier's compatriot and training partner Kevin Rolland missed tonight's podium by a nose. However Rolland has shown unprecedented ability in training sessions leading up to the contest. And the 20-year-old's fourth place finish stands as further evidence of his rapidly expanding confidence and discipline.

"His finish tonight is nothing more than a waypoint on Kevin Rolland's upward swing toward halfpipe deity status," commented Australian superpipe analyst Christian Sirianni.

"Skiing more like a semiflawed demigod ended up getting KR KO'ed from tonight's podium. But I've seen what he is really capable of, and I'm still confident that he'll be steamrolling his competitors later in the season."