After four successful competitions in Chile and Switzerland, the Skiers Cup returned to Zermatt in 2014. In the fifth edition of the intercontinental freeski duel, Team America is now led by Seth Morrison following the death of JP Auclair. The two teams are currently tied at 2:2. The fifth Swatch Skiers Cup will take place from February 21-27, 2015.The Swatch Skiers Cup 2015 will be overshadowed by the tragic death of JP Auclair, an exceptional and inspirational skier who captained Team America to victory in the 2014 edition. Auclair was a pioneer who brought the "free" back to freestyle and freeskiing. At the start of the millennium, he established a new era in skiing. JP Auclair and Andreas Fransson (SWE) were killed in an avalanche accident in Patagonia at the end of September. In his honour, the organizers are holding the Skiers Cup 2015 in memory of JP Auclair.
At this outstanding freeski event, the two captains select the seven best available riders from each region. They then compete against each other over two days of competition in exciting man-to-man duels in the disciplines of big mountain (freeride) and backcountry slopestyle (freestyle). As in previous years, the venue is Zermatt. The resort in Valais offers first-class terrain and a spectacular backdrop with the mighty Matterhorn in the background. The action in the backcountry slopestyle and the entertainment in the village are open to the public, giving the event a special atmosphere.Julien Regnier's international skiing career began in 1998 at the age of 18 when he qualified for the French Olympic moguls team. Since then, the captain of Team Europe has only ever looked ahead. As a visionary rebel and trendsetter, he is constantly developing equipment and freeskiing.
Julien Regnier dedicates the Swatch Skiers Cup 2015 to his friend JP Auclair. Regnier recalls what Auclair stood for and what really matters in skiing: "We will make the Swatch Skiers Cup 2015 an unforgettable event. I want to see everyone smiling and skiing epically - because that's what the Skiers Cup is all about. This will be my way of skiing with JP one last time."Seth Morrison started his skiing career a decade before his European rival: The 2015 Team Americas captain is an evergreen on skis. He has collected parts in so many films and has been sharing his passion for skiing with the world for 25 years. As the new captain of Team Americas, he carries his predecessor JP Auclair in his heart: "I accepted the title of captain with regret and only in the hope that I would make JP proud."
There is great excitement as to which riders the two captains will nominate. Both want to break the current 2-2 tie and take the lead in the overall standings. Regnier and Morrison are expected to announce their complete teams for the 5th Swatch Skiers Cup in early December.
