Minn. teacher lasts 20 hours on ride
by The Associated Press
 
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- A high school teacher from Oakdale has lasted 20 hours on an amusement park ride at the Mall of America.

Forty-year-old Jim Salava (suh-LAH'-vuh) won the Ride the Tide Challenge at Nickelodeon Universe. He was declared the winner when his final opponent stepped down at 2:35 a.m. Tuesday.

Salava was among 10 riders who boarded the Avatar Airbender at 6:30 a.m. Monday. The pool dwindled to three riders just three hours into the competition. Cynthia Brooks of Coon Rapids was eliminated at about 10:30 p.m. Monday, and two hours after the ride shut down for the night, T.J. Ness of Blaine surrendered to Salava.

The Avatar Airbender averages 43 mph, rocks back and forth to reach heights of 70 feet, and gives riders a 4G-Force experience. Other than bathroom and meal breaks, contestants remained on the ride at all times _ even to sleep.

The top prize includes a family cruise, $1,000 spending cash and a lifetime pass to Nickelodeon Universe.