ContestReport | X-Over Ride 2018

As one of the oldest contests in the Eastern Alps, the X-Over Ride continues to surprise even after 15 years. This year, thanks to the phenomenal snow conditions in Lakarscheid, which measures 680 meters in altitude, there were some new lines, decent lines and quite a lot of freestyle to be seen. The snow was anything but optimal, especially in the lower area, with 10 cm of loose snow on very compact, partially tracked terrain on the sunny sides, demanding full concentration and a lot of hard work from even the most experienced riders. And many a good line came to an abrupt end in the hardpack shortly before the finish.

The X-Over is also extremely popular with spectators because of the good vibes, injured and curious riders without a starting place don't miss out on the action and work on their goggle tans in the public viewing area. And because the Kitzsteinhorn has so much terrain to offer, there are proper gang shreds with a dehydration guarantee after the award ceremony.

The face check took place almost exclusively in the whiteout, but the freshly fallen powder was perfectly preserved for the contest day.

Saturday began with an early gondola ride in bluebird weather. Sunscreen was the most important accessory of the day. After a bit of a delay, the ride started and the show was phenomenal. The X-Over Ride is also an annual meeting of the freeride scene from the Eastern Alps, with every rider being duly celebrated at the finish. This 'freeridefamily' vibe then continues in the sunny parking lots of the region with beer and BBQ and comes to an end at the contest party, this year in a new location. In the Backflip Bar, the party went on until the early hours of the morning, and all sorts of nonsensical but entertaining party traditions (tearing up leibers) also found their place again.

Amazingly, some riders did make it to the Hangover Shred on the Kitzsteinhorn on Sunday, the last untracked powder slopes were blessed with great freeride turns, and after the bootpacks, at some point even the last rider was sobered up enough to drive the car legally.

Results

Women's skiing:

Elena Mitrengova (BUL) took the win in the women's ski category with a fast run, a very ominous stomped 6m airtime cliff through a narrow section at the top and an extremely clever and controlled run with some small drops at the bottom, Birgit Ertl (AUT) also sent herself over the aforementioned narrow section and came second, while Claudia Klobasa (AUT) came third with several drops at the top, good technique and a pretty spectacular drop just before the finish. Sabine Schipflinger (AUT) should also be mentioned here, who only just missed out on the podium with a good run and plenty of airtime.

1st Elena Mitrengova (BUL)

2nd Birgit Ertl (AUT)

3rd Claudia Klobasa (AUT)

Snowboard women:

The snow conditions were particularly difficult to manage on a snowboard in the last 100 vertical meters and there were many a butt check. The snowboard ladies started first and enjoyed really good powder turns right after the start, where there were also some strong drops. Jenny Farrah (USA) came third with an extremely fluid and aesthetic line, Tamara Fritz (AUT), as always with flawless technique and plenty of speed, came second and freeride world tour veteran Mikaela Hollsten (FIN) took the win with drops, speed and good control and the relatively much-needed boost to her travel funds.

1. Mikaela Hollsten(FIN)

2. Tamara Fritz (AUT)

3. Jenny Farrah (USA)

Snowboard men:

The men on one board did some great tricks and took some risks. Sam Good (NZL) rode the most stylish line with tricks, hits and speed and took the win, young gun Gabriel Indrist made the biggest drop of the day over the highest jump on the top ledge. Pretty crazy action, but actually possible this year thanks to the snow conditions. He then added a triple, a few drops and a small technical problem on top and finished second. Jelle Beenker (NED) skied a clean run, with threes, a few big drops and came third.

1. Sam Good (NZL)

2. Gabriel Indrist (AUT)

3. Jelle Beenker (NED)

Men's skiing:

In the men's skiing you could be happy not to be on the judging panel. At least a 5-person podium would have been appropriate here. Konstantin Ottner (GER) landed his immense backflip despite having a bad cold and was therefore on the third step of the podium. Michi Strauss (AUT) did a trick at the top, finally bringing his multi-year project on the middle bottom double to a successful conclusion and finishing second. And yes, there is such a thing: Multi-year projects in contest lines. Whether this makes sense remains to be seen, but we are already looking forward to Mr. Strauss' run next year, which will be completely different.

Sebastian Hiersche (AUT) won the men's ski category with a combination of several extremely well-executed tricks of a decent size and a completely new transfer in the lower part of the face. A transfer like this over a rutted chute into a hard landing from a hanging and narrow take-off really needs some decent skills. I recommend the GoPro video.

Martin Krautschneider (AUT) came fourth with a clean and extremely technical run in the lower section, while Tao Kreibich (AUT) secured fifth place with a super clean run on the middle line.

1.Sebastian Hiersche (AUT)

2. Michael Strauss (AUT)

3. Konstantin Ottner (GER)

4. Martin Krautschneider (AUT)

5. Tao Kreibich (AUT)

6. Tobias Wohlmannstetter (GER)

7. Lukas Mühlmann (AUT)