On February 8, 2014, Europe's contest freeride elite gathered once again in Hochfügen to collect valuable points for the Freeride World Qualifier Tour. The 4* event is a highlight for many of the athletes thanks to the perfect organization, the unique supporting program and the perfect terrain - and so, as every year, the numerous spectators were treated to an impressive show. Max Kroneck secured victory in the men's ski category, Flo Orley won the men's snowboard category, Lotten Rapp the women's ski category and Amber Schueker the women's snowboard category.
The starting position
The obligatory riders' meeting took place relatively early on Friday to give the athletes enough time to inspect the "east face", as poor visibility was forecast for the early afternoon. As we had only returned from Sankt Moritz the evening before (also an FWQ event), we arrived in Hochfügen at the 8er Treff after a few hours' sleep and had a very pleasant riders' meeting. The atmosphere among the athletes and the organizers was, as always, very informal and the contest directors described the very interesting conditions (lots of wind, little snow) with humour.
Although the conditions on the face were not comparable to what we found last year, nothing stood in the way of the contest taking place thanks to the sufficient snow base.
Riders' dinner
In the evening, the 60 or so athletes were invited to the riders' dinner in the 8er Alm and we enjoyed a great meal accompanied by traditional live music. As ordered, it began to snow heavily during the meal and overnight another 20 cm of powder fell on the "east face".
Contest Day
It was time to get up early, as the foehn was expected to get stronger again in the afternoon. At 8:00 am, we were already in front of the east face and found good contest conditions: cloudless skies and fresh snow.
Just one look at the start list made it clear that the spectators would be treated to freeriding at World Tour level. At 9:30 am, the judges and the first athletes were ready so that Frenchman Rottier Luighi could start, who was clearly enjoying his run. The start alternated between Ski Male (by far the largest field of riders) and Snowboard Male (followed by the women from both categories instead of the snowboarders).
The surprise of the day was provided by Germany's Max Kroneck, who was competing in a 4* event for the first time and immediately took home the win. With the last starting number, he chose a very creative and clever line, with a playful and very fluid riding style he was able to impress the judges and with an additional 3 at the start he checked in first place with 91 (out of 100) points.
Second place went to France. Leo Slemett (still on the World Tour last season) impressed with a wide 360 and the classic cliff drop (one of the biggest on the face). This puts him back on course for the Freeride World Tour. The podium was completed by Fabian Lentsch from Völs: his line had the same character as in 2012, when he also came third - fast, but few elements in the upper part and the best and most impressive line in the lower part of the east face.
Podium runs of the men's skiers: (results list)
Sweden's Lotten Rapp won the women's ski event, impressing the judges with a fast and fluid run. Second place went to Ashley Maxfield from the USA, who was clearly delighted. Austria's Kathl Schuler completed the podium with a confident run in the right part of the face.
Women's ski podium runs: (results list)
In the men's snowboard category, local Flo Orley once again came out on top and can now look forward to his second branded gondola in the Hochfügen ski resort. Flo looked the safest in the extremely steep lower section and stood all his cliffs cleanly. Second place went to Simon Favez from Switzerland and third to Alexander Hoffmann from Innsbruck, who unfortunately had slight problems at the bottom of the final cliff drop, but was still able to secure a place on the podium thanks to the strong upper section.
Snowboard men's podium runs: (results list)
Six athletes competed in the women's snowboard category, including three Austrians, all of whom finished on the podium. Amber Schuecker won ahead of Liz Kristoferitsch and Manuela Mandl.
Women's snowboard podium runs: (results list)
Conclusion
The snow conditions were not perfect, but the spectators and judges were treated to a great show. The athletes showed freeride at the highest level and once again made Big Mountain Hochfügen the showcase event in the Freeride World Qualifier series.
You don't often see so many "locals" on the podium, so there was plenty to celebrate in the evening. The 10% rule on the prize money was the icing on the cake of a thoroughly successful event.
