3000 enthusiastic spectators, glorious sunshine, bluebird powder and a top field of starters from twelve nations dominated the action today at the Open Faces Contest in Silvretta Montafon. The ingredients at the "Heimspitze" face could not have been more ideal. Rider reporters Jochen Mesle and Julian Zenzmaier report for PowderGuide.
The starting position
In the run-up to the event, the signs were already good for a freeride contest that you could only wish for. The Montafon had plenty of fresh snow to offer and the weather forecast was also on our side. After so many other contests in the 2015 season had to be canceled due to bad weather or poor conditions, some riders were already looking forward to an uncomplicated contest day. On Friday morning, we headed up to the Versettla course to take a first look at the new face of the Heimspitze. Definitely a worthy 3* face - and with fresh powder snow to boot. After quickly taking our photos to capture similar light conditions to the upcoming contest day, we postponed our face check until later as we wanted to enjoy a few runs in the terrain. The possibilities in this area are endless at the moment! At 17:00, after a quick final look at the contest slope, we went to the riders' meeting. There, as usual, there was the final information about the contest area and the GO for Saturday. Afterwards, the Explorer Hotel hosted a winter BBQ and everyone was able to enjoy the good food and the company of the other riders.
Saturday - Contest
As expected, the day started without clouds in the sky and the weather was ideally not yet too warm, which guaranteed perfect snow conditions. The two of us both had a very low number and had to start the ascent early. After we both reached the finish, we headed back up to Nova Stoba and found a great atmosphere and scenery. Hundreds of people enjoyed a great show there, including a specially erected LED screen, while the contest was also broadcast live on Montafon TV on the internet. At around 14:00, all the riders crossed the finish line and it was time to wait for the results.
Results
Ski Men
Our reporter Jochen Mesle was at the top of the men's ski contest. His creative choice of line, combined with plenty of speed and a 360 in the lower section, impressed the judges and was rewarded with 86 points. The Swede Kristofer Turdell came second with a flowing line and the biggest drop of the day at the end, who is now also a candidate for a World Tour place after his victory in Hochfügen. Third place also went to a Swede: Olle Regnér Eriksson. Austria's Christoph Schöffegger just missed out on the podium, congratulations on fourth place! Snowboard Men
A familiar face was also at the top of the snowboarder rankings. Schruns local Thomas Feuerstein took his second victory of the season after Hochfügen. His playful and creative riding style went down best with the judges. An Austrian also took second place: Clemens Bergmann showed a very fast line with some good cliffs and a 360 in the lower section, which he was unfortunately unable to keep completely clean, costing him the win. Italian Tommaso Gazzini came third. Ski Women
The women's ski competitions were dominated by Germany this year. Verena Fendl secured victory with by far the biggest drop among the women in the upper section and a flowing line in the lower section. Austria's Stefanie Noppinger was delighted to take second place, just two points behind, closely followed by Tijn Vuijk from the Netherlands in third place. Snowboard Women
There was an all-Austrian podium for the snowboarders: Daniela Hochmuth came out on top despite the already difficult snow conditions and won the snowboard women's category with a smooth run down the right side of the face, including a big drop. Laura Perfler came second and Mara Neumayr third. All results
Resume
After last year's premiere of the event in Montafon, the organizers were able to convince again with a great atmosphere, a new contest slope and a well-organized contest - we are already looking forward to next year - many thanks to the Open Faces crew for this fine weekend. It continues on March 14 at the 3* FWQ in the Axamer Lizum before the big 4* season finale of the Open Faces on March 21 in Obergurgl.
