Three days of clear blue skies, still good snow conditions and cool parties were embossing this year's freeride contest, of course supported by K2, in Zinal (Val d'Anniviers/Switzerland)!!!
Around 60 people already got together on Friday afternoon for a mutual descent down the backside of Zinal's skiing area, guided by local mountain guides which were leading the crowd safely down to Grimentz were everybody was greeted by the organisers with music and beers to officially inaugurate the 11th Zinal Freeride.
Not less than 170 riders were lined up for the qualification runs on Saturday - four rather short but exigeant runs of which the three best were taken into account for the classification. People tried their best to snatch one of the much sought-after places in the finals and put up a great show despite the sometimes tricky snow conditions.
Soon after, everybody met down in the village where the finalists were announced in front of the pub and various freestylers showed their skills in the infamous 'firegap jump session' whilst a DJ was heating up the audience for the upcoming concerts which should last until late into the night.
15 Skiers, 10 snowboards, 3 telemarks and 3 girls had qualified for the finals on Sunday which were held on a beautiful face underneath 'la pointe de Tzirouc', which left the riders almost unlimited possiblities to find their very own and untracked line. And the organisers didn't have to ask twice - the competiters did their best to impress jury and spectators with spectacular lines peppered with breathtaking jumps.The French skier Fabien Guenot did the best job in the challenging slope and won over Viktor Asander from Sweden and Rolf Bissig from K2's Swiss Factory Team, whilst Laurent Chuard - likewise a member of the K2 team - scored 5th. K2 shoprider Aïcha Mohamedi managed to conquer the 2nd place in the women's snowboard contest.
Another great success was the freeride ski test & BBQ right next to the mountain station which attracted lots of people seeking to have a crack at K2's next year's collection and at other ski and snowboard brands. The feedbacks were very promising if not to say enthusiastic - great prospects for next season!
