The FWQ circus is starting the 2012 season with a bang! The best competition freeriders of the "second league" met from 13-15.1.2012 in the French ski resort of La Clusaz to hold the contest adorned with 4****. The first contest of the season offers plenty of ranking points, decent prize money and a great supporting program. Event participants Simon Wohlgenannt, Sebastian Fischer and Fabian Lentsch were on site for PowderGuide and report on their impressions first-hand.
The initial situation
The snow conditions were definitely not worth the 10-hour journey. According to reports from the local mountain guides, strong winds had blown away all the beautiful snow, leaving ice and, at best, wind-pressed residual powder. However, this should remain the only minus point - a strong starting field, perfect organization, bright sunshine and a well-known brewery as the event's main sponsor stand in contrast!
The contest
The first contest of the season is always particularly interesting. You know most of the other competitors, are friends with many of them and the big question at the start of the season is always: What level am I at compared to the others? The qualification on Saturday already provides some clarity in this regard.
As in recent years, many French skiers are in good form this year, Bertran Clair and Mickael Bimboes are just two of a whole group of strong skiers. Juan Bergada impressed with his great control and his usual stylish 360. The Finn Joonas Karhumaa has fixed his heels to his skis this year after many years of telemark skiing and is therefore even stronger than before. The performances of Fabian Lentsch and Andreas Vogg, who still had to start in the Open Contest on Thursday, were also impressive and worked their way through to the final with ease.
In the final, however, an extremely strong Wille Lindberg impressed the judges the most. The tough snow conditions didn't seem to bother him, an incredible performance from the Swede. Local Mathieu Bijasson follows in second place and third place goes to the German Andreas Vogg, who successfully fought his way from the open contest to the podium - respect!
In the women's competition, Team Norway is strong as usual. Anne May Slinning absolutely deserves to be on the top step of the podium and Pia Nic Gundersen takes third place. Cecile Servan from France managed to sneak in between them in second place.
In the snowboarding category, the French seem unbeatable on their home mountains. Joel Rouge in first place, followed by Dutchman and Arlberg native Irian Van Helfteren and another Frenchman, Sebastien Jam.
In the women's event, New Zealander Abby Lockhart can continue her incredible streak: In only her second appearance at a contest, she secures her second victory! France's Elodie Mouthon and Manuela Mandl from Austria complete the podium.
La Clusaz Radikal Mountain 2012 (FWQ 4*)by skieurmagazine
Conclusion
4**** contests are worth a trip even without good snow! Great atmosphere, contest freeriding at a very high level and you also get a lot on offer as a participant: Afterparty at the hut with a big feast, fireworks and a hot tub on the terrace - of course you can take the Ratrack from the brewery! Where there are 4 stars on it, there are also 4 stars in it. Because the star status of an FWQ event is primarily determined by the financial resources of the organizer and its sponsors. The next report from the 4**** Engadinsnow will be published at the end of January. Until then, PG reporters Simon Wohlgenannt and Fabian Lentsch are delighted with their strong 11th and 14th places, while I'm annoyed about not having enough leg muscles and a fall in the final and 20th place.
Text and photos: Sebastian Fischer