Humpy wins another $10,000

Happy Easter!

Snow is swirling in big fat flakes off Lake Superior this morning. It's a snowglobe scene for the Easter Bunny. No tracks yet in the back yard.

But Tim Humphreys has surely left a mark in Stratton, Vermont.

Ian called on his way to the Albany, New York airport today to report Humpy took first last night at the Big Air comp at the US Open. The win put another $10,000 in his pocket. He missed the new Volvo, that went to Halfpipe winner Shaun White, who also took top podium in Slopestyle Friday.

What an amazing shot Martin Griff got for the Trenton Times of New Jersey's most famous (and now richest) snowboarder.

We've know Tim since he was a Waterville Valley Snowboard Academy rider with Ian. And the look on his face, another caught by Martin Griff after the Slopestyle on Friday, is the happiest I've ever seen Tim. No wonder. He's an amazing rider.

But even more than his talent, snowboarder like Tim and Ian speak to this new breed of athlete. There's big money in this sport. Tim just took home $20,000 from this weekend. But these guys go to the starting ramp with a whole different attitude than alpine ski racers. They play games. In his qualifying run on Thursday, Humpy rode alongside Ian waving a sword, for heaven's sake. They remind us that it's all about the passion and pleasure of the sport, not just the payoff.

I'm taking their lessons to heart. But right now, I'm heading to watch NBC coverage of the US Open. It runs from 1:30-3 and then the Chevy Grand Prix is on VERSUS at 4.

Big day of TV.

Frida