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Contest gifts 14 2016/17 | Alaska and Obergurgl

All is well again

by Tobias Huber 03/25/2017
Contrary to the trend in recent years towards rather mediocre contest conditions at all events, the Freeride World Tour in Haines was lucky once again: blower powder on a beautiful face provided the basis for a contest worth seeing. Only an avalanche on Reine Barkered's run marred the impression a little. Sammy Luebke (USA) and Shannan Yates (USA) won the snowboarder category, while Loïc Collomb-Patton (FRA) and Arianna Tricomi (ITA) won the skier category.

A contest also took place in Obergurgl under safe conditions, albeit with rather poor snow conditions for this time of year: Manuela Mandl (AUT) can compete in the Word Tour again next year after her victory in Obergurgl, as can Clement Bochatay (FRA), who won the men's snowboard event and also took the overall FWQ ranking. Craig Murray (NZL) and Verena Fendl (GER) won the skiers' event.

FWT Alaska

The day was initially characterized by changeable weather conditions. However, after a long wait, the clouds hanging on the slope cleared in the late morning, revealing a view of "The Venue" (2100 m). After last week's snowfall, the 740-metre-high slope offered superb snow conditions with deep, cold powder and some flat light.

Snowboard Men

If anyone could have beaten the defending champion and overall leader Sammy Luebke (USA) in Alaska, it would have been the local Ryland Bell (USA). Bell was at the start with a wildcard and was the first starter to put a large number of jumps on the slope, including two 360s. But this performance was not enough for the judges to dethrone Luebke. The American countered with a fluid, very fast line, several grabs and a 360. Third place went to Davey Baird (USA). Thomas Feurstein (AUT) did not make the trip to Alaska. After three wins this season, Sammy Luebke has now already secured the world championship title ahead of the final in Verbier.

Men's skiing

The Alaska tour stop for the skiers turned into a showdown between two Frenchmen, Loïc Collomb-Patton (FRA) and Léo Slemett (FRA). Collomb-Patton led the way with an aggressive run as the first starter in the category and shone with a huge double cliffdrop and a 360. Slemett was the next starter to choose a similar line and responded with a perfect backflip. The victory ultimately went to Collomb-Patton ahead of Slemett and Sam Lee (NZL), who also went for a similar line. Reine Barkered chose a line on the lookers right side of the slope and triggered a snow slab. He was able to ski out and continue his line slightly differently than planned. Despite this factor, he still managed to finish in fourth place. Loïc Collomb-Patton, Léo Slemett and Kristofer Turdell (SWE) are now tied at the top of the overall standings.

Women's snowboard

With a triple from Marxer and a backflip attempt from Herbert (the first ever by a female snowboarder in a contest), the women showed what they are capable of when the conditions are right. Shannan Yates (USA) came one step closer to winning the title again since her FWT victory in 2014. With her vast experience, technical line choice and some jumps in the more technical areas of the slope, she took first place. Marion Haerty (FRA) came second ahead of Anne-Flore Marxer (SUI). Yates is now only just behind Haerty in the overall standings.

Women's skiing

Lorraine Huber from Lech am Arlberg (AUT), the overall leader among the women's skiers, started confidently and placed several jumps safely on the slope. Thanks to her clever line choice and high speed, she took second place. Eva Walkner started as the last competitor of the day and still found a fluid, original line in which she was able to enjoy plenty of fresh snow. She took third place. The two Austrians were only beaten by Arianna Tricomi (ITA), who showed an aggressive run with high jumps and also went one better in the lower part of the face. She can now pose a threat to Huber in the battle for the overall title. Huber now leads the overall standings ahead of Tricomi and Jaclyn Paaso (USA), who crashed today.

The livestream in the replay and the individual runs to choose from.

4* FWQ Obergurgl

Last call for the premier class: At the last 4* Freeride World Qualifier contest of the season in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, the remaining tickets for next year's Freeride World Tour were decided - with Manuela Mandl from Vienna right in the middle of it all, celebrating her return to the Freeride World Tour with victory on the day.

Mandl made the most of her proverbial last chance and celebrated her return to the Freeride World Tour 2017/18 with her fourth win of the season, despite still trailing her rival Anna Orlova on points before the home event. But while the Russian failed, Mandl kept her nerve (Run) and punched her ticket at her home event in Obergurgl of all places: "I'm incredibly happy. It wasn't an easy path. This season was a real rollercoaster," explained the Viennese: "I was incredibly nervous and am relieved that it worked out. I chose a direct line and really focused on it again. I almost changed the line, but then put it out of my mind. I never expected that we would experience such a brilliant contest on the smaller side of the face today. Even though the snow was difficult to handle, the standard was extremely high today and we were able to put on a brilliant show," said a happy winner. New Zealand's Maria Kuzma finished in second place, with third place going to Finland's Mikaela Hollsten.

French victory in the men's snowboard

The men's snowboard competition was also full of excitement. Andreas Zweibrot, another Austrian, had justified hopes of making it into the Freeride World Tour. But Zweibrot ruined his chances in the lower part of the demanding face. Frenchman Clement Bochatay (Run) will therefore be competing in the FWT next year. He secured overall victory in this category.

Verena Fendl wins in the women's skiing

Germany's Verena Fendl (Run) came out on top in the women's skiing with an impressive line: "I decided on a completely different line in the morning today. The double I took turned out to be a great decision. It's really difficult to find your bearings in this face, so the fact that it worked out so well is of course great." Sweden's Sanne Mona and Spain's Laia Castellarnau Plaza completed the podium.

New Zealand win in the men's ski race

New Zealand's Craig Murray (Run) impressed in the men's ski race: "I wanted to ski smoothly and show some nice drops. Everyone rode so well today, there's a lot of luck involved in winning." Frenchman Solan Dejouy finished in second place ahead of his compatriot Mickael Bimboes.

All results from the 4* FWQ in Obergurgl

Livestream in replay:

Only one stop is left for the Open Faces this season, namely the 2* FWQ in Gastein from 7-9 April 2017. The Engadin Snow, a 3* qualifier on Corvatsch, is scheduled to take place today. At the FWT, attempts will be made to ski the Bec des Rosses next weekend in Verbier as part of the season finale.

This article has been automatically translated by DeepL with subsequent editing. If you notice any spelling or grammatical errors or if the translation has lost its meaning, please write an e-mail to the editors.

Show original (German)

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