SQUAW VALLEY USA — The weather was warm, the “lake” was chilly, and the crowds were out on Saturday, May 9, 2009, celebrating the end of Squaw Valley’s ski season at the annual pond skimming contest known as the 19th annual Lake Cushing Classic.

This year almost 50 competitors attempted the more-perilous-than-normal pond crossing on skis, snowboards and various other creative contraptions including my personal favorite — snowlerblades mounted with telemark bindings (that guy didn’t have much chance of getting across the pond, but he attempted it with style).

Making the crossing especially difficult this year — and leading to a very low percentage of successful crossings — was a gnarly four-foot drop from the in-run to the pond’s surface. Those competitors who were able to maintain control upon hitting the water then had another 75 feet or so of frigid water to navigate before making it across.

When all was said and done, three familiar names walked away with the grand prize of a 2009-10 Squaw Valley season pass: Timy Dutton, JT Holmes and Cody Townsend, for their crossing as “Two Men and a Baby” in the unlimited division. I’m pretty sure that those three already get free season passes at Squaw anyway, so what they’ll do with their prize is anyone’s guess.

In the other divisions, winners walked away with $100 for their efforts, and serious props from the crowd of onlookers. Mr. Fonzi took top honors in the men’s ski division, Mr. Huston won the men’s snowboard division, Powder Puff took the women’s ski division, and Octomom dominated the women’s snowboard division.