Category: Banked Slalom

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Banked Slalom Events Features News

Dual Banked Slalom Hafjell Recap

By Sondre Hylland Photos: Henning Owren

I have been to pretty much every type of snowboard event the last twelve years in all parts of the world and I have organized all types of events, at least nationally.

I have always wanted to host a type of event and a discipline that could cater to everyone, and I mean everyone. I think we might have found a formula.

This weekend Brettforbundet organized Dual Banked Slalom in Hafjell together with LHMR Brettklubb after the World Para Snowsports Championships invited us to reuse their fantastic course in Hafjell built by Arena Snowparks, as the World Champ finals were done the day before we started.

I discussed with our competition director for this event, Per Willy Hegge, leading up to the weekend as we heard some of the riders from the World Para Snowsport Championships wanted to ride our event as well.

We agreed: “Let`s not make an event where it`s the adaptive riders and“ regular ”riders, but let`s just make an event and format where we all ride together.

We are all just snowboarders anyway.

First off we had over 100 starting competitors and I was baffled how big the range of riders that entered and shredded their hearts out was. The riders were keeping the vibe at an all-time high and all the smiles made my day, forgetting about my 5:30 am wakeup call to start getting the event ready.

We had kids as low as seven years old, we had parents, up and coming talents, we had old pros, new pros, current pros, national riders and international riders, and a great field of riders that competed in the World Para Snowsports Championships the days before, we all shredded together in the time trial and in the head-to-head finals format.

The level just got better and better and the course rode well through the whole day and the weather was thankfully on our side.

All riders rode a two-run time trail and the top rider went through the finals and the head-to-head knockout format. One run decided their faith …

The contest started off with the juniors.

Alexander Nyquist (NOR) won the boys division ahead of Hans Anonsen (NOR) in 2nd and Aksel D. Heyerdal (NOR) in 3rd.

Luna Hekne Herskedal (NOR) won the girl’s division ahead of Eira Stavanaes (NOR) in 2nd and Nelia Stavanaes (NOR) in 3rd.

After the juniors, we had 24 entered kids from 7-12 yo in a jam session format. So fun seeing all the groms handling the course and holding their own.

The Open division had a few nail-biter heats when the finals started.

In the end, Open Womans was won by Zuzanna Smykala (POL) ahead of Karin Margareta Boson (NOR) in 2nd and Caroline Nilsen (NOR) in 3rd.

The Open Mens final was won by Karel Von Goor (NED) a head of Aleksander Østereng (NOR) in 2nd and Ben Tudhope (AUS) in 3rd.

This was pure fun and for sure a type of event, we need more of.

Thank you to all the riders
Thank you all volunteers
Thank you Session, Burton, Hafjell, World Para Snowsports
Thank you Arena Snowparks and shapers
Thank you Lillehammer Brettklubb and Brettforbundet crew
Thank you World Snowboard Federation
Thank you snowboarding❤️

 

Words by:

Sondre Hylland, event director Brettforbundet

Categories
Banked Slalom Features News upcoming events

DUAL BANKED SLALOM – JANUARY 15

Registration info

Dual Banked Slalom Hafjell

On Saturday 15 January 2022, all eager snowboarders to Hafjell are invited to a Dual Banked Slalom in the actual WC course from the Para-WC which ends the day before!

Lillehammer Brettklubb, Brettforbundet and Para VM arrange Dual Banked Slalom for the classes kids, junior and open.

Here there are opportunities for everyone to participate and for all levels!

Remember to be out early with registration so that you secure your place!

The existing World Cup course will be open to others – this is the after-use of the best variety.

We look forward to arranging a cool day for the whole family together with Lillehammer Brettklubb, Brettforbundet and Para VM.

Dual Banked Slalom Hafjell is ranked in the World Snowboard Federation’s new international banked ranking.

Registration opens FRIDAY 7/1 AT 12:00 and it is first come, first served!

Registration:

All participants must be a member of a club belonging to Brettforbundet and have a valid insurance / license.

Become a member of the club  here.

2. All info and opportunities for purchasing insurance / license can be found  here.

(Day insurance for 2022 is set at NOK 100 per competition day. Our year-round insurances cover both competitions and all relevant driving / training throughout the year)

Sign up for the Dual Banked Slalom Hafjell HERE

Class division:

KIDS class> 12 years (b. 2010 or later)  

The KIDS class is not ranked, and there are prizes for everyone.

Most riders in the KIDS class are 10-12 years old, but there is no exact age limit. Each individual club / parent assesses whether the rider can participate in the relevant event or not.

Junior 13 to 15 years (b.
2007-2009) Note that the event not rankes on WRT or WSPL.

‍Open 16 years and older (b. 2006 or earlier)
The open class is ranked in the international Banked ranking of the World Snowboard Federation (WSF).

Race card / Lift card:
Get 20% on day passes / race passes by ordering online on Hafjell’s website, ONLY pre-registered participants apply. List is sent to Hafjell Ski Center as soon as registration is full. If you have a season ticket, you do not need to think about this.

Schedule:
TBA

‍Competition format:
Head to head in each class. Winning each pair goes on.

Lane selection is decided with scissors, paper, stone. Winner selects lane. Lanes should be approximately equal.

‍Premier:

Open class is rewarded with cash prizes equally for ladies and men.

Prize money division equally for ladies Open and men Open:

  1. 2500, –
  2. 1500, –
  3. 1000, –

The others are awarded prizes from Session and Burton.

NB: Kid class is judged / Not ranked. Prizes for all kids.

‍

REMEMBER TO DELIVER BIBS BACK 🙂

Everyone must ride with a helmet 🙂

Subject to changes!

Accommodation:

As a member of one of the Brettforbundet’s clubs, you get a discount on all Nordic Choice hotels.

For Hafjell / Lillehammer see: https://www.nordicchoicehotels.no/nsbf/

‍

Or see: Hafjell’s website

Infection control:

We continuously follow the infection control restrictions presented by local and national authorities.

Should it happen that the event should be canceled due to infection control restrictions, any registration fee and day insurance (for this event) will be paid back to registered participants.

‍

————————————————– ———————–

IN ENGLISH:

‍

Dual Banked Slalom Hafjell

Saturday January 15th 2022 Brettforbundet and Lillehammer Brettklubb are inviting all stoked snowboarders to come and ride Dual Banked Slalom in Hafjell, Norway.

Dual Banked Slalom Hafjell is apart of the new banked slalom ranking by the World Snowboard Federation.

Divisions:

Competition runs in three divisions that is age divided.

  • Kids is 12 and under
  • Juniors boys / girls age 13-15
  • Open woman / men age 16 and up

Competition Format:

Head to head. Winner from each racing pair moves on.

Lanes decided by 1 round of rock, paper, scissors. Winner chooses lane. Lanes should be close to equal.

Registration for international riders (International Riders traveling to Norway for this event):

Contact: sondre@brettforbundet.no

Registration fee is 10 Euros

‍

All riders that register in Norway use:

Registration:

All participants must be a member of a club belonging to Brettforbundet and have a valid insurance / license.

Become a member of the club  here.

2. All info and opportunities for purchasing insurance / license can be found  here.

(Day insurance for 2022 is set at NOK 100 per competition day. Our year-round insurances cover both competitions and all relevant driving / training throughout the year)

Sign up for the Dual Banked Slalom Hafjell HERE

(Registration starts 17.des 2021 at 12:00) 

‍

‍

Prizemoney:

Prizemoney is equal for men and woman (Only for Open division)

1.place 2500, – NOK

2.place 1500, – NOK

3.place 1000, – NOK

Destination, Travel and Accommodation

See Hafjell resort website: https://www.hafjell.no

Categories
2021 Features Grassroots Projects upcoming events

Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY Kicks Off Its 9th Season In December

In December 2021, the Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY hosted by Blue Tomato and Ride Snowboards will be kicking off into the 9th season. As every year, the popular snowboard tour attracts international riders to travel to Zillertal from everywhere. Under the aegis of the Ästhetiker crew, four tour stops will be held in 2021/2022. The events will be going down in four different Zillertal snowparks, always happening with one day of coaching and training and a slopestyle competition day. This season´s series will be kicking off with the first tour stop on December 18th and 19th at the ski resort of Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach.

Nine years of Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY hosted by Blue Tomato & Ride Snowboards! Thanks to the ongoing support by Zillertal Tourism GmbH, the Zillertal mountain companies, and tourism associations, as well as loyal partners like Blue Tomato, Ride Snowboards, Red Bull, Horsefeathers, and Dana Beanies, the popular VÄLLEY RÄLLEY will be coming home to Zillertal in December 2021 again.


Rider: Mika Schweizer photo: Dan Mullins

Zillertal Tourism General Manager Beate Kassner is looking forward to the event series: “The support of up-and-coming talents in wintersports is an extremely important topic for us in the Zillertal. We are delighted to welcome so many young athletes to the Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY. The tour starts in December is an important date for all of us and we wish all our participants good luck and great success.”

In the past eight years, Zillertal´s famous snowboard tour has become one of Europe´s top events for up-and-coming snowboarding talents. „With the Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY we are providing a platform for young riders to enter professional snowboarding and breathe fresh contest air,“ Ästhetiker prÄsident Steve Gruber explains. „The unique combination of coaching and contest has proven its success over the past years. Young athletes take advantage of our events to push their own level of progression. We are proud to announce that some of them have qualified for the Olympic Games.“

Boardsports fans can look forward to four action-packed weekends in the Zillertal. At every tour stop, the latest Ride Snowboards and bindings will be available for free demo/testing. And while the coaching day stands for freebie freestyle training in small groups and together with snowboard pros, Europe´s rising stars will be throwing their best tricks down all over the slopestyle course on the competition day.

All four competitions come along with medals, prizes, and prize money. And while Ride Snowboards hands out brand-new snowboards to the winners, presenting partner Blue Tomato will be organizing side events and fun competitions on the coaching day. Horsefeathers will deliver a brand-new outerwear combo for the Horsefeathers best trick winner at every tour stop.


2020’s Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY overall tour winners showing off their goods. Photo courtesy of Zillertal.

With every contest result, athletes will accumulate points in the Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY overall ranking. The Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY 2021/2022 overall tour winners will be crowned into the new Royal Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY family at the fourth and final stage at Hintertux Glacier. Riders participating in the tour will automatically be collecting points for the International World Snowboard Point List (WSPL). The points of the first three VÄLLEY RÄLLEY events further count as ASA (Austrian Snowboard Association) Austriacup results. According to the accumulated points after the first three events, the best man, the best woman, and top rookies (U18) are qualified for the Austrian Master’s Slopestyle Finals. Rookies (U18) are collecting points in the World Rookie Ranking to qualify for the World Rookie Tour Finals. More info about the international points system can be looked up at http://www.powdern.com

Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY event schedule 2021/2022:

1.Tour stop – 18.-19.12.2021 – Skiregion Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach, Erste Ferienregion im Zillertal
2.Tour stop – 15.-16.01.2022 – Zillertal Arena, Zell-Gerlos
3.Tour stop – 26.-27.02.2022 – Penken Park Mayrhofen, Mayrhofen-Hippach im Zillertal
4.Tour stop – 23.-24.04.2022 – Hintertux Glacier, Betterpark Hintertux, Tux-Finkenberg

It’s understood that the actual safety precautions and conditions will be communicated, controlled, and complied at all Zillertal VÄLLEY RÄLLEY events. Late contest registrations will not be possible on site. Check www.valleyralley.at and www.zillertal.at/valleyralley for categories, age groups and registration.


Zillertal’s parks are made for all levels, from freestyle newbie to super pro. Photo courtesy of Zillertal.

About the Zillertal:
The Zillertal counts among the most popular alpine destinations. It’s well-known as Europe’s number one valley for snowboarding. Zillertal’s snow parks rank high, attracting the world’s top snowboarders to train in the valley since time immemorial. The choice is huge and there are jumps, rails, and boxes available for all levels. No matter, if you’re a freestyle newbie or snowboard pro, Zillerta’s snow parks deliver the perfect playground for any kind of tricks, jumps, and creativity. Find out more at www.zillertal.at

Categories
Banked Slalom Features News report Reports

Report: Burning Boots Banked Slalom 2020 was epic!

The third edition of Burning Boots Banked Slalom had it all – sunshine, fresh snow & banked turns. The event went down in March, before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and having fun in the snow was still on every snowboarder’s mind. On Saturday, which was reserved for training runs and qualification, the winter even came to Brauneck with 20cm of fresh snow!

The course was handshaped by Snowboard Germany & Bayern and made the 170 registered riders absolutely happy. On Sunday the weather cleared up and the contest went down in the best possible conditions. Especially the kids in the categories U9, U12 and U15 were unstoppable and it was no surprise that the U15 riders placed also at TOP spots in the Open category.

Big thanks to the sponsors: K2 Snowboards, Burton, Nitro, Blue Tomato, Shred Kids, Stie Alm, Brauneck Bergbahn und die Snowboardschule Schneesturm

The 4th edition of the Burning Boots Banked Slalom will go down 27.-28.02.2021!

Open Men:


  1. Maximilian Thalhammer (SC Aising-Pang)
  2. Korbinian Blaschek (SC Miesbach)
  3. Markus Schwab

Open Ladies:


  1. Viktoria Egler
  2. Joana Attenberger (SC Dingoldfing)
  3. Tamara Schmidt (SC Dingoldfing)

U15 Boys:


  1. Julius Reichle (SC Konstanz)
  2. Elias Hamalainen
  3. Kenta Kirchwehm (SC Altglashütten)

U15 Girls:

  1. Florina Pohl (SC Bissingen)
  2. Loreley Pigmans
  3. Salome Jansing (SC Schellenberg)

U12 Boys:

  1. Benedikt Werner (SC Miesbach)
  2. Luka Kamissek (TSV 1860 München)
  3. Felix Babilon (SC Miesbach)

U12 Girls:

  1. Rosalie Bauer (SC Miesbach)
  2. Ida Bauer (SC Miesbach)page2image1536 page2image1728 page2image1920 page2image2112 page2image2304
  3. 3. Joana Fuchs (Shreddogs Munich)

U9 Boys:

  1. Leo Schwab
  2. David Babilon (SC Miesbach)
  3. Aris Kyriazis (Shreddogs Munich)

U9 Girls:

  1. Sita Heiny (SC Altglashütten)
  2. Isabella Wörner (TSV Uhlbach)
  3. Milja Bizenberger (Wsg Feldberg)

Stay in touch with the event on Instagram.

#burningboots

Photos: Coo.Productions

Categories
Banked Slalom Events Features News report

Report: The Greek Banked Slalom 2020 presented by The Thing About Greece

The Banked Slalom, one of the most historical and established snowboard races went down on 29th February in Greece for the second year in a row under the mindful umbrella of the World Snowboard Federation. A short report from the organisers with photos & video follows:

What a Weekend! We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout and lively energy… especially considering the lack of snow this season. Huge thanks to everyone who came down to Kalavrita snow resort to ride the snake, fly off the big booter or simply just to shake their booty!

Saturday 29th of January – Banked Slalom

After the snowstorm a bluebird day had started! The Banked slalom run was ready around 13:00 and looked like a giant snake getting into the snowpark! 34 riders were standing in the line up, including snowboarders, skiers and one snowskater!

Winners:
Best snowboard – Nikolas Plytas 0,39’

2nd place snowboard – George Stavrakis 0,41’

3rd place snowboarders – Antonis David, Lazaros Kotakidis 0,42

Best ski – Ilias Aletras 0,44’

Best bail – George Katsaros, Andreas Barelos

Best costume – Vasilis Amilis

Best Snowskater – Athanasios Perrakis

Big thanks to the sponsors and supporters!

Shakka Custom Boards​ |​ ​Yes Snowboards​ |​ ​Skibill.gr​ |​ ​RBPD Fashion culture​ ​MicroXtreme Nitro snowboards​ |​ ​Fifty Fifty boardshop​ |​ ​21StOre​ |​ ​Lasercrafters​ | ​​Hedonism Rides​ |​ ​Jackals Tattoo​ |​ ​Kalavrita snowpark​ |​ ​World Snowboard Federation​ |​ ​The Thing About Greece Snowboard.gr​ |​ ​Manic side​ | ​Xιονοδρομικό Κέντρο Καλαβρύτων

VIDEO:

Categories
Banked Slalom Events Features News report

SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2020: Rollercoaster for all snowboarders!

The sixth edition of the SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2020 hosted by Terje Haakonsen and Nicolas Müller, which is part of the WSF Banked Slalom tour 2019/20 took place successfully on 5-8 March 2020. Olympic champions, legends, former world champions, professional riders, amateurs and aspiring talents – everybody came together in LAAX this weekend to celebrate their passion for snowboarding.

BANKED SLALOM EXCITEMENT – Terje Haakonsen and Laax local Nicolas Müller have now been hosting the SuddenRush Banked Slalom event in Laax for six years. In the event, the participants have to complete the 400-metre course featuring 20 banked turns as quickly as possible. The Banked Slalom dates back to the origins of the sport and has been celebrating a revival in recent years. The fascination with the event shows no signs of slowing down. Terje says: “Banked Slaloms are suitable for every rider, it’s kind of like riding a rollercoaster on time. It’s an honor hosting this event together with Nicolas at his home resort.” The age difference between the oldest (56) and youngest (6) participants is almost five decades. And this is exactly what makes the Banked Slalom so special. It feels rather like a meeting of generations. A coming together of the snowboard family, with riders from the early days through to the stars of today and the shredders of tomorrow.

The Banked Slalom competitions are arranged in a wide range of categories (17 in total). The riders line up at the start divided into numerous different age classes. Each participant performs two runs. Their best time is counted as their final result.

TOP STARS AND LEGENDS – On Friday, riders over 40 years of age, including a number of legends, lined up at the start alongside the top riders of today. In the Pro Women’s event, LAAX local Sina Candrian secured victory for the first time ahead of Karleen Jeffery-Barlia, who has a wealth of banked slalom experience, although primarily in the Mount Baker Legendary Banked Slalom event. The previous year’s champion, Chloe Sillieres from France, took the final spot on the podium. In the Pro Men’s competition, 45-year-old Reto Neiger from Switzerland claimed the title ahead of Christian ‘Hitsch’ Haller and snowboarding icon Travis Rice (USA), who was taking part in his first SuddenRush Banked Slalom. “I was aware of this event for many years, I’m psyched to finally be here.”

In the Super Masters Men (50+), Peter Bauer (53), who was one of Europe’s first snowboarding professionals in the 90s, showed his class once again. The Bavarian was well ahead of the rest of the field in his category. Thomas Scherrer (47) claimed victory in the Grand Masters Men (45-49), while Grindelwald native Pascal Imhof took top spot on the podium for the second year in a row in the Masters Men (40-44). His wife Murielle Imhof was victorious once again in the Masters Women (40+) ahead of Austrian Nici Pederzolli and Olympic champion 2006 Tanja Frieden.

OPEN TOP SPEED – On Saturday, the action continued with the Open class for amateurs aged 18-39. This is traditionally the category with the most participants. Svenja Schallner (25) came out on top in the Women’s event, while Alex Rufibach (35) reclaimed the title he won in 2018 in the Men’s. He also caused a sensation in the coming together at the end of the day when the top three to five riders from each category went up against one another again to determine the fastest riders across all categories in the ‘Fastest Run’ race. Rufibach unexpectedly overcame the top pros and master riders to take his place on the top of the podium for the second time of the day, with Reto Neiger, Pascal Imhof and Travis Rice coming in just behind him.

KIDS & FAKIE RACE – On Sunday, as is tradition, the spotlight was on the up-and-coming talent, and the young participants enjoyed a day of bright sunshine on the course. Every year, the young stars astonish the spectators with their skills on their boards, showing they are every bit the match of their older counterparts. They fearlessly mastered the banked turns with a smile on their face. Paula Bauer and Lura Wick came out on top in the Girls’ events. In the Boys’ events, defending champions in their age classes Nico Bondi and Jonas Hasler made it to the top of the podium, having also done so the week before at the Burton US OPEN Juniors. The teenager class (14-17 years) was won by Leonie Hasler and Julian Furrer.

The fakie race then brought the event to a close. This is a prestigious title for the riders, where they have to navigate the course backwards. David Hablützel showed his class here, finishing several seconds ahead of the rest of the field. “I’m fit. And I’m fast. Very fast,” he said at the start.

At the end of the day, all of the riders celebrated their passion for the sport and cruised through the course together. Simply sensational! As Reto Poltera says: “The Banked in LAAX is like a surf session at the sea!” This was SuddenRush Banked Slalom 2020 in LAAX. See you next year!

Check out also the video playlist on the LAAX YouTube channel.

Super Masters Men (50+)

  1. Peter Bauer
  2. Andy Meyenberg
  3. Thomas Hinterseer

Grand Masters Men (45-49)

  1. Thomas Scherrer
  2. Oliver Brunschwiler
  3. Didi Haab

Masters Women (from 40)

  1. Murielle Imhof
  2. Nici Pederzolli
  3. Tanja Frieden

Masters Men (40-44)

  1. Pascal Imhof
  2. Arild Brun Kjeldaas
  3. Ingemar Backman

Pro Women (from 18)

  1. Sina Candrian
  2. Karleen Jeffery-Barlia
  3. Chloe Sillieres

Pro Men (from 18)

  1. Reto Neiger
  2. Christian Haller
  3. Travis Rice

Open Women (18-39)

  1. Svenja Schallner
  2. Lia Langenegger
  3. Tiziana Casutt

Open Men (18-39)

  1. Alex Rufibach
  2. Renato Nadig
  3. Thomas Wolf

Fastest Race Women

  1. Chloe Sillieres
  2. Murielle Imhof
  3. Svenja Schallner

Fastest Race Men

  1. Alex Rufibach
  2. Reto Neiger
  3. Pascal Imhof

Fakie Race

  1. David Hablützel
  2. Reto Neiger
  3. Alex Rufibach

Young Kids Girls (up to 10)

  1. Paula Bauer
  2. Samira Sprenger
  3. Raquel Süssmeier

Young Kids Boys (up to 10)

  1. Nico Bondi
  2. Leo Thoresen
  3. Laurin Derungs

Old Kids Girls (11-13)

  1. Lura Wick
  2. Kona Ettel
  3. Rosie Rothney

Old Kids Boys (11-13)

  1. Jonas Hasler
  2. Mischa Zürcher
  3. Luis Marchesi

Juniors Girls (14-17)

  1. Leonie Hasler
  2. Samuela Mondani
  3. Alexandra Eckhardt

Junior Boys (14-17)

  1. Julian Furrer
  2. Rafael Burri
  3. Elash Ndiaye

About the event:

The annual SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2020 hosted by Terje Haakonsen and Nicolas Müller is taking place since 2015 in the beginning of March. With this event, LAAX brings the roots of snowboarding into the present day. Aged between four and sixty-four or more the riders’ field is made up of park shapers, pro riders, former world champions, boardercross specialists, alpine legends, leisure boarders, Olympics and, of course, host legends Terje Haakonsen and Nicolas Müller are personally on-site.

Photos:LAAX/Ruggli

#SuddenRushLaax #WSFBankedSlalomTour

Categories
2020 Banked Slalom Events Features News report Reports

Gstaad Banked Slalom 2020 had a record number of 121 riders!

It was a great edition of the Gstaad Banked Slalom with heaps of fresh snow and a course which the 121 competitors really enjoyed!
It was also a new record of participants in the deep Röstigraben under the Gummfluh far away from the civilization.
Many kids won great prizes and the adults where having lots of fun in the well shaped banks.
Real Banked Slalom roots the way it should be…
Categories
2020 Banked Slalom Events Features News upcoming events

Official GO for SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2020

The SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2020 hosted by Terje Haakonsen and Nicolas Müller will take place for the sixth time from the 5th to 8th of March 2020 – As we already informed you in this article, where you can find all relevant information.

Safety for all participants is as important as fun in the snow. After application by LAAX and the official risk analysis, the Canton of Graubünden has approved the event. From the first snowboarders of Switzerland*, early contest riders of international level to young park shredders, they come to LAAX to have fun in the course plenty of banked turns up at Crap Sogn Gion mountain.

Who is on the starting list of the popular SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2020?

For example the slalom ace of the 90s Peter Bauer, defending champion Super Masters in LAAX, and the former boardercross professional Reto Poltera, member of the management of LAAX, the Weisse Arena Group. Or the freestylers Ingemar Backman, who celebrated his first international victory in 1996 in Laax in the halfpipe, and Christian Hitsch Haller, who rocked the halfpipe at the OPEN events from 2005 to 2018. And Ueli Kestenholz, the fast multisportsman, very fast in alpine and BX snowboarding at the turn of the millennium.

In the Ladies Pro and Master category, some famous names also appear: such as the Olympic champions Nicola Thost (Halfpipe 1998) and Tanja Frieden (Boardercross 2006); LAAX BX winner 1997 Nici Pederzolli; Freeride World Tour Champion 2010 Aline Bock; Slopestyle expert Sina Candrian, LAAX OPEN winner 2020 Queralt Castellet, as well as the fastest woman on board in LAAX for three years Ariane Staib-Glaus, twice the age of Chloe Sillieres, who won the Pro category in 2019.

Like the hosts Terje Haakonsen and Nicolas Müller, many of them come from the freestyle snowboard contest scene and earn their money while enchanting their fans with freeriding. Such as the “Ästhetiker” Steve Gruber and Tom Beckna Eberharter, as well as Travis Rice, currently one of the most remarkable and influential snowboarders worldwide. The fact that he will really be competing in Laax in the Banked Slalom 2020 will also be a truly unforgettable highlight for all the many riders from the OPEN, KIDS and JUNIOR categories.

Photos: Ruggli

Categories
2020 Banked Slalom Events Features News upcoming events

Landing Snowboard Banked Slalom 2020 is coming to Baqueira – Beret!

Key information for you:

  • Baqueira – Beret (Val d’Aran, Spanish Pyrenees) – hosts for the second year in a row one of the stopovers of the “Banked Slalom Tour” of the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) organized by the snowboarding and splitboarding company “Landing Snowboard”.

  • The Banked Slalom is a riding modality that allows to reconnect with the roots of snowboarding: surfing & skateboarding, which will take place on Saturday, March 21th at the ski resort Baqueira-Beret

  • In its first edition, it convened more than 142 participants, the event, snowboard open, aims to consolidate itself as a meeting point for the snowboarder community.

  • The prizes are valued at € 10,000 in snowboard equipment.

Full information for you:
For the second year in a row and coinciding with the 15th anniversary of Landing Snowboard, one of the stopovers of the Banked Slalom Tour of the World Snowboard Federation will be celebrated again in the ski resort of Baqueira – Beret in Val D’ Aran, Spain.

On the 21st of March, the snowboarders have a must-attend event in Baqueira-Beret. In its first edition on 2019, the contest  brought together more than 140 participants of all ages in a journey full of adrenaline, fun and fellowship. The weather and the slopes conditions led to an optimal day at the snowboard contest, where both young people and adults from France, Andorra and Spain enjoyed a perfect contest.

The Banked Slalom of Landing Snowboard will be built in the snowpark “Era Marmota” by the team of Baqueira – Beret, under the leadership of Quique Quintero, and in collaboration with Oriol Rosell, the shaper of Landing Snowboard. Both have large experience in construction, and both stand out for their quality and innovation and are recognized in the Pyrenees and abroad.


The participants in the contest will find a technical and very fun circuit raised for the enjoyment of all ages and levels. A total of 8 categories, 4 men and 4  women and distributed by range of age: Groms (<of 12), Rookies (<of 18), Seniors (<of 40) and Legends (> of 40) and as a newness in this 2nd edition, a category “Team Challenge” it’s introduced in which the best team of 3 people is rewarded.

Landing Snowboard, a ground-breaking company specializing in snowboarding and splitboarding, celebrates its 15th anniversary and after the success of the first edition repeats for the second consecutive year a stopover of the “Banked Slalom Tour” in collaboration with Quiksilver.

The company, founded  by two professional riders, Igor Domínguez and Javi Guimont, seeks to promote the practice of snowboarding. About this edition Guimont says:

“We are very grateful with the feedback of the first edition of the Banked Slalom in Baqueira-Beret, this year we have increased the number of registrations and added a team challenge although the most important thing for us is to keep the spirit of the first edition and see how motivated are the participants”.

The registration can be done online for 200 participants on the Landing Snowboard website, and costs €15. The prizes for the winners are valued at more than € 10,000 in sports equipment, in addition, the ski resort will be offering a special discount of 40% on the price of their ski passes for all participants.

For this second edition of the Banked Slalom, Landing Snowboard has the support of sponsors such as: Quiksilver, Salomon Snowboards, Pannini, Foment Torisme Val d’Aran, Ajuntament Naut Aran, Baqueira – Beret and Mombisurf.

About Landing Snowboard
Landing Snowboard is a snowboarding education project that was born in the glacier of Les Deux Alpes in 2004 and is currently based in Baqueira – Beret. Its founders, Igor Domínguez and Javi Guimont, are two professional snowboarders who have been involved in the teaching and development of this sport in Spain for over 20 years. Under the premise of living the mountain and snowboard in a more experiential way, looking for sensations that go beyond sliding on a board, they decide to launch a series of experiences ranging from snowboard and splitboard activities for all levels to specific freeride and freestyle activities, as well as a snowboard club for the youngest in the house: from 6 to 16 years.

About WSF Banked Slalom Tour
Founded in 2014 through a committee formed by people who have a passion for snowboarding and see the potential for banked slaloms and how they can help promote snowboarding in general. The WSF Banked Slalom Tour is a network of independent events or series with a common communication platform, starting with few countries where banked slaloms events already existed. In the last 2 years the tour developed very well – with 22 events and more than 2000 participating riders worldwide in the season 2016/17 – the project developed to one of the biggest Snowboard Tours around the Globe.

The long term goal is to increase rider participation and resort development of BSL events worldwide. To develop a ranking system specific to banked slalom and offer all level of riders fun events, not only focusing on the athletic aspect. To award the WSF BSL World Champions, male and female, based on overall yearlong WSF ranking and accumulated points, always maintaining and respecting the fun spirit and roots of snowboarding and Banked Slalom. We believe now is the perfect time to launch this tour. Many questions regarding the state of the industry and snowboarding in general, have led us to believe banked slaloms can revive interest in snowboarding and bring the fun back. We are relying on the network of organizers to share our vision and help us execute the first seasons of this tour, which will become a platform for the future of snowboarding. We want to thank all of the interested organizers for seeing the vision and sharing our passion for this tour.

About Quiksilver
Quiksilver is an emblematic boardsports brand of Boardriders, Inc., founded by a group of surfing enthusiasts in Australia in 1969. True to a unique lifestyle, Quiksilver holds passion, authenticity and innovation to be fundamental values. The brand’s identity is represented by its logo, a mountain inside a wave symbolizing its attachment to boardsports and its playgrounds, the sea and the slopes. Quiksilver products cover the whole range of sportswear, accessories and boardsports gear. Quiksilver is also intimately associated with the very best athletes and the biggest events in the history of boardsports.

You can follow the official communication of the event on web, Facebook and Instagram.

Check out the whole calendar of the WSF Banked Slalom Tour 2019/20.

Categories
2020 Banked Slalom Events Features News upcoming events

Terje, Nicolas & LAAX invite you to the 6th SuddenRush Banked Slalom!

On your marks, get set, time to go again – from 5th to 8th March 2020 in LAAX, Switzerland. For several years now, snowboarders have been reviving their original sport form at the “World’s best freestyle resort”. The followers of the banked slalom have been growing steadily ever bigger.

Competing is in numerous categories, racing off from children to professionals, the Open Class to the Grand Masters. Sweeping round those banked turns, zipping in and out of line, all in pursuit of the best time, snow has never been this suspenseful and funny in the same moment! It’s a proper snowboard race!

Accompanying us on boards and equipped with a shovel are the event hosts, Terje Haakonsen and Nicolas Müller.

It’s going to be cool, it will be curvy and you’re in for a real blast when the snowboard community celebrates with everyone who wants to join in!

Registration for the SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2020 is open online at www.laax.com/suddenrush until 25th February 2020. There you can also find the entire programme of the LAAX event, promising long-lasting fun in the snow.

Teaser:

SuddenRush Banked Slalom is part of the WSF Banked Slalom Tour 2019/2020.

Event contact: raceoffice@laax.com | +41 81 927 7022
Media contact: Astrid Nehls | +43 676 4314410 | +41 79 9024215

Photo credits: Ruggli / Fujimori / Oetiker