By Sylas Wright

Network cameras will be rolling, competitive juices flowing, uncanny ability on display.

These all-stars of snowboarding have much to gain, with a $1.5 million total prize purse for the taking, and professional pride on the line.

It’s all just around the corner, as the third and final stop of the Winter Dew Tour — the Toyota Championship — takes flight in Northstar-at-Tahoe.

“The top halfpipe athletes will be there. It’s kinda like X Games coming to your hometown,” Squaw Valley skier Michelle Parker said last Thursday. “There is a lot of progression that goes on in these competitions as well. It’s the final stop of the Dew Tour, so people aren’t just trying to win the contest, but the overall title.

“There’s a lot of cash on the line. Things are going to get exciting.”

Louie Vito is among nearly two dozen of the world’s best riders on the snowboard superpipe roster that includes Andy Finch, as well as Shaun White, Steve Fisher, Scotty Lago, Danny Kass, Elijah Teter and others.

Vito missed the last Dew Tour due to an ankle injury but is really looking forward to his return this weekend.

The event will be broadcast live this Sunday on NBC-TV from 3pm – 6pm Eastern Time.

Although Louie had a bum ankle and was questionable whether he would even compete in this year's X Games he still BOOSTED high into the stratosphere. This shot was taken at the X Games finals by Zach Hooper.

Louie Vito was at the top of the pipe putting on his game face, which for him is easy. He is one of the hardest workers and most deeply dedicated snowboarders on the circuit, and you can tell this by the way he practices before each event.

With the highest score from all the preliminary heats Louie came into the finals with a tremendous amount of confidence. Everything started out great on his first of two runs. He threw back-to-back super stylie 900’s with perfect landings. On his last hit he clipped the deck, which resulted in a low first run score. The good news was it didn’t look like he did any further damage to his already injured ankle. On the Grand Prix tour riders only get two runs in the finals. Because Louie won the qualifiers he was the last rider to compete for both runs (reverse order from the qualifiers’ results.) As a result Vito knew exactly what he had to do. In fact, Vito was the only rider in practice to throw back-to-back 1080’s, and the crowd was anticipating a huge second run from him.

Two-time X Game champion, Steve Fisher’s second run put him in first place, which made things exciting for Louie’s second and final attempt. Not to be outdone by Fisher's run, Vito turned up the volume on his iPod and exploded into the pipe for his last run. His first hit had huge amplitude. Louie, being the crowd pleaser that he is, gave them exactly what they were looking for and landed back-to-back 1080’s. But he wasn't satisfied -- on his next hit he landed a huge 900 and then another on the opposite wall. The pipe was a little slower than during the qualifiers and because of this the riders moved down the pipe faster than normal. Louie, looking for one final hit, unfortunately ran out of pipe. Fisher said that he was super nervous and was biting his nails after his run because he knew Louie had the repertoire and degree of difficulty to win the competition.

Vito said, “I was happy considering I landed my second run when I had to, but yet I was pretty bummed because when I bobbled going into the frontside 9 it killed my speed for my last two hits which cost me the win.” Vito went on to say, "I am really looking forward to Killington [season finale in March]. I had good luck there last year so I hope it will carry over."

Louie Vito did what he had to do, even under the immense pressure. His style and spirit are his trademark -- and his is youthful age is a guarantee that he will be around for a long time.

Vito’s next competition is a World Cup Olympic qualifier on February 6th & 7th in Bardonecchia, Italy. After that Louie travels to Cypress Mountain, British Columbia, Canada where he will experience a preview of the 2010 Olympic site with yet another World Cup Olympic qualifier on Feb 13th – 15th. (By Kirk Graham)