Agreed. I've never been in favor of anything being "mandatory" in a halfpipe run, but I really do like huge stylish straght airs, alley oops, etc.
I think snowboarders appreciate that kind of thing a little more than lots of skiers, many of whom seem to look at tricks like that as a weakness in a run. Personally I think it takes more skill to do a massive (like, really really massive) straight air or alley-oop with awesome style, no flails, than many people realize or give credit for.
And also, back to the original post.... Nice work by the French guys, they have a great program going on there, they are having tons of fun and getting seriously badass in the process. Stoked to see them on the circuit again this season, it is going to be an epic year.
