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Events News

JAMIE ANDERSON (USA) AND NIKLAS MATTSSON (SWE) ARE THE LAAX OPEN 2021 SLOPESTYLE CHAMPIONS

The first title decision was on the agenda at the LAAX OPEN for the Slopestyle finals. 8 female finalists and 12 male finalists rode for the podium places in the first FIS Snowboard Tour 2020/21 Slopestyle contest. In breathtaking finals with technically challenging runs, Jamie Anderson (USA) and Niklas Mattson (SWE) triumphed and will each be taking home prestigious OPEN titles as well as CHF 15,750 prize money.

LAAX is known for its innovative slopestyle courses, and this year was no exception. The 500 metre long course consisting of 6 elements starts with two rail sections, followed by a transition feature and two jumps. The final element is the creative Watch obstacle. Riders were full of praise for both the course and the Snowpark LAAX crew.

Photo Credits by Stadler

In the women’s category, Zoi Sadowski Synnott (NZL) was clearly in the lead after the first run, in which all riders had to contend with the adverse wind conditions, ahead of 2-time Olympic champion Jamie Anderson (USA). In the second run, the wind died down and the ladies were finally able to tout their true talents. However, none of the women managed to beat Zoi’s score, who went into her second run as the penultimate rider of the finals, still at the front of the field. Knowing that Jamie Anderson was still on top, Zoi tried to top her own score from the first run, but failed. Then came Jamie Anderson who demonstrated her full routine, only to once again prove a delivery under pressure like no other. With a super smooth run she literally bagged the highest score of the day with 84.35 points in the last minute and thus, her 5th LAAX Slopestyle title, which left her almost lost for words: “I’m so happy! In the second run, I decided to risk everything and it paid off.  A big thank you to the LAAX hosts and the FIS Snowboard Tour!” Bringing in third place is delighted Australia’s Tess Coady.

Photo Credits by Stadler

Experienced Swede Niklas Mattsson opened the men’s final with a clean and cool technical run that earned him 84.28 points. This laid the foundation for his first Slopestyle World Cup victory, as none of his competitors were able to knock him off the pedestal and beat his score. Incidentally, Mattsson is the first Swedish Slopestyle winner in LAAX since Chris Sörman, who claimed victory at the first Open in 2005. Leon Vockensperger (GER) wowed in second place and celebrated his first World Cup podium with a run packed full of flair and finesse: “I can’t believe I am standing next to my idols on the podium right now, it‘s incredible.” Norway’s Marcus Kleveland completed the podium in third place. Swiss semi-finals winner Moritz Boll finished in 7th place.

Tomorrow the LAAX OPEN 2021 will end with the Halfpipe night finals, for all to watch live online or on TV from 17:45 onwards.  

Source: LAAX Open

Categories
Banked Slalom Events Features News upcoming events

2019 TREBLE CONE BANKED SLALOM

The Treble Cone Banked Slalom is a an epic event for snowboarders 18 years & over, on Saturday the 31st of August 2019.

HOW TO ENTER:
Competitors must be 18 years old and over to compete. Categories are Open Male, Open Female, Masters Male (35+) and Masters Female (35+).

To register online, visit https://www.treblecone.com/whats-happening/events/. In-person registration is available at the Treble Cone Town Office at 24 Dungarvon Street, Wanaka or on-mountain at Guest Services. For more information, email events@treblecone.com. Only 90 spaces available – registrations close 08:50 the morning of the event or when spaces are full.

ENTRY FEES & COMPETITOR PASSES:
Competition Entry – $40 Lift Pass – $100 Discounted passes are only available in person on the day. Please show your bib or registration confirmation at Guest Services to redeem.

SCHEDULE:
Bib Collection: 08:00-10:00, at the Snow Sports Meeting Area opposite Guest Services Course Inspection: 10:00-10:45 Race Start: 11:00 Competitor BBQ: 14:00 in Plaza Awards Ceremony: 15:00 in Plaza The Banked Slalom course will be located on Lower Gun Barrel (snow dependent). Each participant will be allowed 2 runs, with the final time taken from the fastest run.

Helmets compulsory. Safety induction to be signed at registration. Snowboarders only.

PRIZES:
– First Place: $500
– Second Place: $250
– Third Place: $100
Cash prizes are up for grabs for podium places in each category.

The overall first place male and female winner will each receive a new snowboard, courtesy of Jones.

The overall second place male and female winner will each receive a new pair of bindings, courtesy of NOW Bindings.

SPONSORS: NOW Bindings, MOA, POW, Jones, Treble Cone.

Categories
News

Anna Negri – WSF General Secretary

The WSF board of directors would like to announce the first employee at WSF. After 3 years of services as freelancer,  from the 1st of July 2019, Anna Negri is officially employed for 8h/week. This is the first step for the World Snowboard Federation towards building up a motivated and professional team.

As agreed during the 2019 General Assembly, a communication officer will be employed during the summer, in order to support Anna Negri in the communication field. The chosen person will be announced soon and will start to work in the next months.

Categories
News

Communication Officer & Intern

The World Snowboard Federation is looking for a passionate WSF Communication Officer and WSF Communication Intern. Are you interested? Do not waste your time and send in your application to WSF Secretary General at anna@worldsnowboardfederation.org

Categories
Events News

WSF General Assembly Agenda

The AGENDA of the WSF General Assembly has been announced. Note that the Agenda can be updated in the next month, all the information and news will be shared on this specific app, that you can open also scanning the QR code below. All the latest information will be directly communication on the Facebook Event.

If you still need to book your room, please go through the information below:

Date:
Saturday, 25th May to Tuesday, 28th May 2019

Place:
Belgrade, Serbia

Accommodation:
The General Assembly will be held in the Hotel 88 Rooms which offers special packages for all the participants of the General Assembly.

Booking:
Please fill the form at the following link for registration & booking:
https://www.88rooms.com/book-now?nights=1&arrival=2018-12-12&adults=0&chd=0&access=

Access key: WSF2019

Cancellation Policy:
In case the guaranteed reservation is cancelled until:
-21 -7 days before the arrival, Hotel will charge total estimated value in amount of 1 night.
-7 days before the arrival Hotel will charge total estimated value of the reservation

WSF is also collecting proposal for the next annual General Assembly, taking place next Spring, 2020! Please submit the proposal directly to WSF General Secretary, Anna Negri.

The WSF Board of directors is looking forward to seeing you all in Belgrade!

Categories
Banked Slalom Events Features News report

Banked Slalom Finnish Champs and Finnish spring – what a combo!

On April 6th Banked Slalom Finnish Champs were held in Tahko, Finland in an amazing weather. The event, organized by Finnish Snowboarding Association, was full of joy as the perfect course was enjoyed by nearly 100 riders under a Finnish spring sun.

The annual Finnish Champs were held a second year in a row with lots of riders returing to Tahko. There were pro riders such as Heikki Sorsa, Siv Knudsen and Anton Lindfors, former pro riders like Joni Malmi, Sami Tuoriniemi and Heppu Pentti and a bunch of amazing riders from all ages.

The competition was held in three categories: Open, Rookies and Adaptive. Unfortunately reigning adaptive banked slalom Finnish champ, Paralympic gold winner and X Games gold medalist Matti Suur-Hamari couldn’t compete this year, but it was great to see Tomi Taskinen and a new face Sampsa Kankkunen on course. In the end it was Kankkunen taking gold with a solid run.

In open category it was a tough race. At first it seemed Jenni Viitanen and Anton Lindfors would be having an easy year as they both had straight great runs, but as the two-hour-session got further, other riders began to get better times. Unfortunately for the others, good for Jenni and Anton, but the rest of the field wasn’t fast enough. So boardercross World Cup rider Anton Lindfors took another gold, and so did Jenni Viitanen. Silver medalist in men Heppu Pentti was only 0,5 second behind Anton, and there were five riders inside one second. In rookies it was Roni Aalto and Jasmin Kaikuranta taking the fastest laps.

And not to forget team challenge on day before. With ”Gone Fishin’” theme it was a blast as riders wearing all kinds of funny costumes were killing it on course. In the end it was Team TB (brothers Jari Tuoriniemi and Sami Tuoriniemi) taking the fastest laps and enjoying the victory.

Thank you for all for taking part and see you next year with even better race!

Banked Slalom Finnish Champs were supported by Burton Snowboards, Tahko, Tahko Chalet, SkiOne.fi and Vision Fly Fishing

Open, men:

1. Anton Lindfors 33,45

2. Heppu Pentti 33,96

3. Panu Ruotsalainen 34,20

Open, Women:

1. Jenni Viitanen 37,71

2. Siv Knudsen 38,37

3. Heidi Latola 38.95

Adaptive:

1. Sampsa Kankkunen 43,47

2. Tomi Taskinen 1.10,71

Rookies, boys:

1. Roni Aalto 35,83

2. Elias Hämäläinen 36,85

3. Roomeo Aalto 37,08

Rookies, girls:

1. Jasmin Kaikuranta 41,09

2. Ronia Welling 41,86

3. Sara Nybäck 41,87

Categories
Banked Slalom Events Features News report

Brelok Banked Slalom supported by Ride!

Last weekend (16-17.03.2019) on “Czarny Gron” ski resort there was a third edition of “Brelok Banked Slalom supported by RIDE”.

Shapers crew from “Tiger Snowpark”, made a grat job building very fun banked slalom course. All kind of riders participated, from juniors to seniors, from amateurs to pros. During the weekend we had all U could ask for to have a best day on snow- lots of friends, great wheater, dj playng good music, perfect banked slalom course, great pizes, aferparty, and lots of fun all weekend long.
Riders tried their chances in three categories: junior, amateur and pro. In women PRO category an 2018 olimpian Zuzanna Smykała won for the third time in a row.
Awesome prizes were given to the winners. Among them RIDE snowboards, GoPro cameras. Dakine backpacks, Electric gogels, NEO tools limited gadgets and multitools, rastaurant vouchers (Weranda bistro, Picollo pizza ) and more.
Every rider o the podium also were given a skateboard as a trophy, made specialy for 2019 edition.
BBS organisators, once again managed to create great eavent with a friendly and fun atmosphere. We are waiting for the forth edition. See you next year.

Winners of each category are the following:
Junior women 1. Giza Martyna 2. Kowalówka Martyna 3. Jędrzejczyk Hania
Junior man 1. Orlik Filip 2. Zawada Jakub 3. Jesionek Michał
Amateur women 1. Troszok Agnieszka 2. Krasińska Karolina 3. Tomalczyk Aleksandra
Amateur men 1. Trzeszczoń Oskar 2. Buliszak Dawid 3. Szpakowski Jacek
Pro women 1. Smykała Zuzanna 2. Wolska Dominika 3. Troszok Agnieszka
Pro men 1. Ligocki Michał 2. Pająk Wojtek 3. Ligocki Mateusz
Categories
Banked Slalom Events Features News report

Landing Snowboard Banked Slalom was a blast!

Last Saturday March 23 took place the first edition of the Landing Snowboard Banked Slalom organized by the pioneering company specialized in snowboard and splitboard, Landing Snowboard, in collaboration with the World Snowboard Federation (WSF).

A first edition loaded with adrenaline and lots of fun, in which 142 participants of all ages were able to enjoy the Banked Slalom circuit in the Era Marmota snowpark at Baqueira Beret resort.

The day began at 8 am with the collection of bibs at the base of Beret and eagerly, participants both young and old, were accredited according to 4 categories: Groms (< 12) and Rookies (< 18) with number of 16 participants per category, Seniors (< 40) with 60 participants and Legends (> 40) with 50. Among the participating snowboarders were the riders of Quiksilver, pro snowboarder Mathieu Crépel and pro surfer Aritz Aranburu.

From 9 a.m. onwards, the first participants could be seen practicing and enjoying the circuit located in the Era Marmota snowpark, designed by the Baqueira – Beret Stadium team, led by Quique Quintero and in collaboration with Oriol Rosell, the builder of Landing Snowboard.

The competition started at 11 am sharp, with two rounds of the race the snowboarders were classified according to their best times. The opener of the circuit was Igor Domínguez, founder of Landing Snowboard, followed by the number 1 bib, the smallest participant with only 8 years.

Throughout the day, the riders have enjoyed a very technical circuit for those who aspired to reach the top positions but also suitable for all levels.

Among the participants, snowboarders from France, Andorra and different points in the center and north of the peninsula.

It was 16:00h when the awards ceremony was held at the Beret base, more than 8,000€ in sports equipment delivered in order of categories:

 

Groms – Women

1st Itziar Pérez

2nd Chloe Fábrega

3ª Clementine Wall

 

Groms – Men

1st Axel Domínguez

2nd Pantxo Wall

3rd Martxelo Udruzola

 

Rookies – Women

1st Uxue Domínguez

2nd Anne Ripa Tous

3rd Danae Sanllehy

 

Rookies – Men

1st Pau Riba

2nd Dani Panera

3rd Javi Acha

 

Senior – Women

1º Diana Álvarez

2nd Daniela Zwerger

3rd Galatea Spain

 

Senior – Men

1st Mathieu Crépel

2nd Jon Arribas

3rd Alfons García

 

Legends – Women

1st Elena González de Murillo

2nd Danni Wall

3rd Maria del Carmen Gonzalez

 

Legends – Men

1st Lluc Navarro

2nd Garry Wall

3rd Manuel Palacios

 

“It has been a very technical and explosive circuit but also very fun, in which all the participants have been able to feel comfortable and enjoyed a lot. We are very happy with the number of participants who came to enjoy the circuit with us. Comments Javi Guimont, founder of Landing Snowboard, organizers of the race.

 

For this first edition of Banked Slalom, Landing Snowboard has the support of sponsors such as: Quiksilver, Salomon Snowboards, San Miguel 0.0, Ajuntament Naut Aran, Val d’Aran and Baqueira – Beret.

Categories
Events Features News

WSF General Assembly 2019 in Belgrade, Serbia

The WSF board of directors invites all delegates of the National Snowboard Associations, event organizers, riders and members of WSF to attend the 2019 General Assembly (GA).
Date:
Saturday, 25th May to Tuesday, 28th May 2019
Place:
Belgrade, SerbiaAccommodation:
The General Assembly will be held in the Hotel 88 Rooms which offers special packages for all the participants of the General Assembly.Booking:
Please fill the form at the following link for registration & booking:

https://goo.gl/forms/k5hNl672OFxJ8Yph2
Access key: WSF2019
Cancellation Policy:
In case the guaranteed reservation is cancelled until:
-21 -7 days before the arrival, Hotel will charge total estimated value in amount of 1 night.
-7 days before the arrival Hotel will charge total estimated value of the reservationDeadline for room offers: 7th April 2019WSF is also collecting proposal for the next annual General Assembly, taking place next Spring, 2020! Please submit the proposal directly to WSF General Secretary, Anna Negri.For questions and  motions/proposals  please write and email to Anna Negri, WSF General Secretary at anna@worldsnowboardfederation.org

The WSF Board of directors is looking forward to seeing you all in Belgrade!

Categories
Banked Slalom Events Features News report

SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2019 hosted by Terje Haakonsen und Nicolas Müller: An intergenerational snowboarding race

The fifth edition of SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX (7-10 March) brought together professionals, legends from the past, snowboarding fanatics, rising stars and kids. 400 riders ranging from 4 to 56 lined up this weekend full of anticipation. 

The fascination of Banked Slalom remains undiminished. The fifth edition in LAAX has once again shown that this is more than just a race, but is about seeing friends again and meeting up with the whole snowboarding family. Beaming faces and good moods are everywhere to be seen, as stories are regaled and new memories created. Everybody here shares the same enthusiasm. Xavier De Le Rue, former Freeride world champion and appearing at the SuddenRush Banked Slalom for the first time, sums it up perfectly: “I think my biggest satisfaction of the weekend is to see the snowboarding vibe so alive here in Laax. This event is so refreshing, it’s just heartwarming and I wanna come back and do more events like this.” 

The 400-metre course beneath the Crap Sogn Gion, featuring 21 banked turns, took centre stage over three days. Numerous helpers spent weeks shovelling snow to get the course in shape, including the event hosts Terje Haakonsen and Nicolas Müller, co-organiser Chris Bachmann from SuddenRush and US pro rider Nick Geisen. 

“The snow work is better than ever. It’s perfect. The banks are just the right height. The course is built for all classes. It’s the same for everyone, for masters, open riders, kids and professionals. This is important. This ensures that everyone has fun and will come back,” says the experienced event participant Virgilio Crivelli. 

The Pro class and Masters (40+), Grand Masters (45-49) and Super Masters (50+) were the first to take on the course on Friday. Host Terje Haakonsen showed his class once again and emerged triumphant in the Pro category. In the women’s event, Chloe Sillieres, former LAAX Open participant, secured first place on the podium: “I used to compete in Slopestyle competitions, but now I only take part in Banked Slaloms. I love the atmosphere, everybody just wants to ride and have fun. Here in LAAX, especially, everything is very familiar. It’s just a cool resort.” Also worth mentioning is the Super Masters class (50+), which is like a ‘Who’s Who’ of snowboarding legends and pioneers from the past. Peter Bauer, who dominated the alpine snowboarding scene in the 1980s, came out on top here yet again. 

The Open category followed on Saturday. Laax local Tiziana Casutt won the women’s category, while David Birri was victorious in the men’s. The top 3 or top 5 in each category went up against one another again at the end of the day. This was to establish the fastest woman and fastest man across all categories. The riders in the Pro class showed their skills here. Swiss rider Ariane Staib-Glaus and Canadian boardercross World Cup rider Elliot Grondin secured victory. 

It was the turn of the kids to make their way fearlessly through the course on Sunday. It is always refreshing to see the enthusiasm the little ones bring to the event and how naturally they traverse the course on their snowboards. Even the juniors, who subsequently lined up, were amazed. Siria Poltera and Jonas Hasler, participants in the Halfpipe Burton US Open, put in dazzling performances here. They recorded times that would have seen them make the top 10 in the adults’ events. Almost 80 children and teenagers reached the finish line in total. The Fakie race, where participants ride “backwards” through the course, brought the event to a close. Terje once again showed that he is a master of his trade here, scooping his second victory of the weekend. 

Respect the Nature – the focus on sustainability is a mission from both SuddenRush and LAAX. The Laax Greenstyle Initiative was clear for all to see all weekend. Recycled bib numbers from old banners from previous events as well as living trophies in the shape of the Swiss stone pine tree, which is native to Laax, for the winners to take home with them are just two such examples. The course was also completely shaped by hand without the use of any machinery. Part of the entry fee goes to the Greenstyle Foundation and to the Atlantic Rainforest Organisation, which Chris Bachmann, the man behind SuddenRush and co-organiser of the Banked Slalom, helped to establish. Worn Wear Repair Tour from Patagonia was also on hand in Laax, repairing outdoor clothing of any brand free of charge. 

This was SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2019 – a tribute to the origins of snowboarding! A guarantee for the future of snowboarding. 

 

Photo Credit: Philipp Ruggli and Sam Oetiker