The first Kick The Vik Freeride Festival took place from March 9 to 17, 2013 in the Bernese Oberland freeride spot of Schilthorn. The Freeride World Tour Qualifier Contest in Wasenegg was the crowning finale of the festival, where the Swiss made a strong showing overall. Alba Wunderlin from Winterthur triumphed in the women's snowboard category. Valeria Apostolo from Italy won the women's skiing category. Armin Beeli from Laax dominated the men's ski category. And Alex Rufibach from the Bernese Oberland won the snowboarder category.
KTV Freeride Festival Mürren - Qualification 1, March 10, 2013
On the first qualification day, the riders skied the wide north slope at the Schiltgrat mountain station. The snow conditions did not make it easy for the riders. Because it got cold overnight and no fresh snow had fallen for some time, the snow conditions were unfavorable. Nevertheless, a creative line choice with many variations was possible and necessary on the flank: through gullies, rocks and mountain pine undergrowth.
The winners in the Ski Women, Ski Men, Snowboard Women and Snowboard Men categories secured their place in the final.
KTV Freeride Festival Mürren - Qualification 2, March 14, 2013
Same slope, different conditions: despite the fresh snow, the riders hit the hard surface. The poor visibility turned the descent into a blind flight. The riders felt their way down the slope and skied the face several times. At the end, the overall impression of all the runs counted; the Freeride World Tour judging method was used again. Despite poor visibility, the riders are motivated. The qualification is also a spectacle for the spectators.
KTV Freeride Festival Mürren - Freeride World Tour Qualifier Contest, March 16, 2013
When the finalists checked into the OK tent at the Schilthornbahn station on Saturday, they were greeted by the sun. Afterwards, all the riders met at the foot of the competition slope for the riders' meeting. Safety is a top priority at Kick The Vik. Mountain guides and the local slope rescue chief ensured safety on the mountain. They showed the participants where they were allowed to ride and pointed out closed sectors and hidden fish mouths in the contest flank.
Head judge Andre Sommer made it clear what he wanted to see: fast, flowing descents without breakneck action. Crashes are rewarded with points deductions and the run is not scored if skis are lost. The four judges, including freeride veteran Sascha Schmid, assessed the runs according to the Freeride World Tour guidelines. The categories were Ski Women, Ski Men, Snowboard Women and Snowboard Men.
Video from day 7 of the Freeride Festival Mürren
Freeride festival Muerren Day 7 from VIKTOR on Vimeo.
The next prank follows immediately: KTV Eco Freeride Contest in Maighelstal, March 22-24, 2013
The sixth edition of the internationally renowned Kick The Vik Eco Freeride Contest will take place in the Oberalp region from March 22-24, 2013. The purist freeride event is returning to its roots by bidding farewell to FWQ status and reintroducing rider voting. The idea of competition is taking a back seat and making way for pure freeriding with like-minded people. Eco remains the central element: no snowmobiles, no lifts, no helicopters, no avalanche blasting disturb the tranquillity of the Maighelstal.