I had felt the winter air as I walked out of my hotel.  It was the day of the Annual State Snowboarding Contest in my hometown in Colorado.  This was the year that I had my mind set on winning that golden trophy just like my grandpa did.  Snowboarding was important to him and I want to make him proud by walking into his house and holding the trophy.  I had already had my idea in mind as I had got into my Uber.  During the car ride, I had my eyes on the beauty of the winter outside.  The big tree branches were covered in powdery snow.  Children in the park happily running around, tossing lumps of snow at each other.  Soon we reached a mountain hill.  My heart began to race as we drove up the snowy mountain road, knowing that my competition was near.  I saw other cars driving up the same hill.  Perhaps that was my competition.  I looked up at the clear sky, thinking about the feeling of winning a prize.  The car soon stopped as I got out of my thoughts.  The top of the mountain had more snow than ever.

 

As I got out of the car, the cool cold breeze shot into my face.  The heat from the food trucks that surrounded the top of the mountain made it better, but my finger didn’t feel much heat.  There were kids running chucking snowballs at each other while their parents and other adults would stand and socialize with each other.  The sun was shining brightly and snow sparkled off of the sunlight.  There were no clouds, but instead there was an endless vast of blue in the air replacing the clouds.   

 

I took my gloves from my pocket and strapped them onto my hands.  I tightened my hat and my goggles on my face and went to the back of the car.  In the trunk, I had put my snowboard inside before we had left my hotel.  I pulled it out and looked at the orange paint job that was coded onto it.  This was going to be the day.  I had practiced snowboarding all my life.  Now that I’m finally old enough and eligible to compete, I’ll make sure that my practice won’t be in vain.  Besides, I would have 3 chances to win as there were two trophies for different things.  The judges would judge not only if you win the race, but the amount of style you have and your balance and control.  It was a new system that they have added to encourage the racers to give the crowd a good show in their benefit.  I had my eyes set on the Style Award so that I could be the first person to ever win one.

 

As I’m walking around the place, hopefully finding a food truck that offers hot chocolate, I look around and scan my competition.  Everyone here seems to be looking ready to compete, but they are friendly to each other.  This is a great environment with great people, and I want to enjoy that.  Besides, my family members would be watching me compete as my main intention of being in Colorado was to attend the family reunion.

 

After about 10 minutes of dragging my feet in the snow and trying to find my desired hot chocolate, I finally spotted a booth that read “Hot Coco”, and I dashed to the stand to fulfill my need.  While I wait in line, I see familiar faces in the line with me.  It was my aunt and uncle and some of my other cousins.  We hugged and made small talk while the line progressed slowly.  They asked me if I was nervous and I told them that I was at first, but I felt better now that I know that it's all friendly competition.

 

Time speeds up rapidly after we all finish our drinks, because they already started calling the contestant to the starting line to get ready for the race.  I quickly throw my cup in the trash and head over to the starting line.  I ran into my father while I was going over to the starting line to get set up.  He stopped me in my tracks and gave me a hug for good luck.  He also gave me a little advice too as he also has experience with snowboarding.  He let me go with a smile and wished me good luck as I ran off to the starting line.  When I get there, I can hear the crowd cheering and whooping the contestants.  I couldn’t see where it was coming from, but I could hear my name being called from the stands with cheers followed behind it.  I look at my board, take a deep breath, and place it on the white powder below.  I adjust my goggles and tighten my hat.

 

“Contestants, get ready!” said the announcer for the contest.  Now my future victory rides on me.  I can’t lose now.  I close my eyes and breath slowly.

 

“On your mark…!” The crowd roars while we get ready.  “Get set!” I take one more last big breath and open my eyes.  “Go!”  We dash off with snow flying up behind us.  The adrenaline already gets to me as we rush down the mountain and approach the end of the first slope, there is a big drop off to where you can do a jump into the next slope.  I tilt my body just enough to get the momentum needed to get over it and go into the air a little bit.  I landed fully balanced, but didn’t show any style with my jump.  I can no longer hear the crowd.  All I hear is the surface of the speeding boards against the soft snow.

As we approach the moguls, I decide that I should try and attempt to impress the judges in order to get the Style Award that I want.  I swerved around the piles of snow, did a 360 degree spin before approaching the last one, and rode on top of the last mogul and used it as a ramp to perform a jump while gripping my board.  I can just hear the crowd cheering my name.  As we approach the end, I realize that I am in 2nd place out of 8 contestants.  I wasn’t going to lose, so I decided to pick up speed and tilt my body forward.  I lose focus in my balance and tilt too far, I begin to fall off balance and lose control of myself.  My heart races as I wave my arms around, trying to catch myself.  I knew then that I wouldn’t win the Style Award.  However I wasn’t going to give up just yet.  Somehow after all that, I seemed to catch myself, and in the midst of my struggle, I had attained first place as we approached the finish line.

 

I still hadn’t had my full balance with me when I got to the bottom of the mountain, so I ended up falling off the board.  It was alright though.  A mouthful of snow wouldn’t hurt anybody.  I roll over onto my back with a smile on my face.  My opponents approach me and lie down on the ground as we joke, laugh, and congratulate each other.  I hadn’t gotten to my goal, but I still won, and that was ok with me.  As long as I keep getting better everyday, keep progressing, and not giving up, I can win next year.