"Summer in the Stubn": positive vibes and neon en masse! This year's Longboard Classic in Stuben/ Arlberg was the most summery edition yet: temperatures around 25 degrees, summer slush and ground avalanches in the Albona Face led to a new, shortened route through's Rauztobel. What sounds like a bad "backup plan" turned out to be a stylish Longboard Classic of a special kind!
It's no secret that the winter wasn't particularly snowy. Days before the event, it was already clear that the lower section and the bush-covered final section of the course would no longer be skiable at the event. The conditions on the official LBC slope between the Albona ridge (2408m) and the Albona middle station were still good 14 hours before the start of the event, but due to the heat on Friday afternoon, base avalanches were triggered in the Albona Face, which was soaked to the ground. Further avalanches were blown up - as a live spectacle for the guests on the sun terrace of the Hotel Post. The people in charge in Stuben reacted quickly and were extremely helpful in setting a new route with a start above Alpe Rauz. Around 350 snowboard-addicted old-schoolers and longboarders gathered there at around twelve o'clock on Saturday. After a short opening speech by starter Muck Müller, a pack of illustrious neon wearers with museum-worthy snowboard equipment set off towards the valley station. More than 60 longboard ladies started five minutes later, overtaking the one or other old schooler, not least because the boards, some of which were 25 years old, were showing signs of material fatigue. After another ten minutes and after all the women and old-schoolers had crossed or passed the finish line, the men's longboard category started. Those who had hurried to strap on their bindings were able to secure a clear advantage due to the short course: Matthias Jorda was the fastest in the bindings and unbeatable on the course. He therefore took the title in the longboard men's category for the third time in a row. Liz Kristoferitsch won the women's category and secured the Longboard Queen trophy. Big Mountain pro Eric Themel was the fastest in the old school category with his 88/89 "Sims 1/2pipe". The award for the "youngest participant ever" went to six-year-old Kuba Hrones from the Czech Republic.
As always at the Longboard Classic, the race is just one part of the event. The motto "Ride with Friends" applies not only to the race itself, but also before and after. Thanks to bright sunshine and slush, the slopes of the Albona presented a unique picture: from the chairlift, you could spot groups of cheering neon dots everywhere! Just like in the good old days, people waited together at small cornices and kickers and cheered on rocket and slob airs, stalefish and tail grabs or whatever else the old-school trick box had to offer... Those who no longer felt like shredding in the glorious spring conditions could chill out in the snow-free event area to the sound of Mortal Kombat in T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops and enjoy the fantastic weather. Big names in snowboarding history such as Terry Kidwell, Mike Ranquet, Bob Klein, Micky Früh, Serge Dupraz, Phillip Imhof, Ishi Ishihara, Harry Gunz, Dino Bonelli, Andi Tanner, Gogo Gossner, Steve Gruber and Eric Themel took part in the LBC. They stood shoulder to shoulder in the event area or in the race alongside Stefan from Bamberg, Martin from Stuttgart, Kai from Upper Austria, Mike from Krimml, Otti from Landshut, Tömi and his crew from Scoul, Franz and his friends from Tyrol, Fabienne from Zurich and countless other riders.
In the evening, the community of longboarders and old-schoolers then met up for the traditional "History Video Evening" in the marquee. The video "Critical Conditions" was shown, in which LBC participant Mike Ranquet had a fine part, Bob Klein brought along footage of the first banked slalom in Breckenridge in 1985 and organizer Paul Gruber a recording from 1981, when he presented snowboarding for the first time on the Swiss TV show "Karussell". At the subsequent party with Mortal Kombat sounds, scenes took place that are better left unexplained. Last but not least: Wolle Nyvelt was there for the first time together with film producer Boris Benedek to produce interviews with the snowboarding legends. Wolle was completely surprised by the dynamics of the LBC: "It's incredible what a positive vibe there is at this event. Despite the improvised race, all the participants are completely chilled and happy to be here. I didn't expect the Longboard Classic to be such a cool event."
A good omen for the future of the LBC - the next generation of shredders is slowly getting a taste for it too! Here's to seeing young and old legends again, because all LBC guests are legendary in their own way. Make a note in your diary: On April 21, 2012, the Longboard Classic will be back for its thirteenth round to coincide with the end of the season in Stuben!
