THE AUDI NINES PRESENTED BY FALKEN: SLOPEX WAS A BLAST!
The Audi Nines 2018 fused Slopestyle and Snow Cross to create a revolutionary event!
It’s a wrap: on Saturday the winners in seven categories were crowned at the Audi Nines presented by Falken in Sölden, Austria. At the Public Contest Day, the male and female snowboarders showed thrilling performances on the new SlopeX course as well as Big Air and Quarterpipe. With the exciting set-up and perfect weather conditions drawing more than 3,000 spectators to Tiefenbach Glacier, the riders gave it their all and showed everyone they were eager to progress their sports.
The riders loved the unique combination of speed and creative obstacles. But also on a social level, the past six days at the Audi Nines brought Snow Cross and Slopestyle riders closer together. Mixing competitors from both disciplines created a whole new dynamic, as they brought their own interpretation of the SlopeX features and how to ride them. Closing a week full of exciting photo and film sessions, the Public Contest Day on the 14th of April 2018 will go down in history, not only for the unique approach of the organizers but also for the jaw-dropping skills the riders showed.
Highlights of the week: It’s all about the loop! The unique loop obstacle proved to be a highlight among the numerous innovative elements of the SlopeX course. Gigi Rüf (AUT) to show possibly the first ever carved snowboard loop.
The SlopeX finals: Pullin and Leman top the podium The Public Contest Day began with the SlopeX qualification in the morning, then the fastest riders competed in eagerly awaited finals in the afternoon. For the snowboarders’, 2-time World Snowboard Cross Champion Alex Pullin (AUS) prevailed over 2-time Olympic Champion Pierre Vaultier (FRA) and snowboard legend Terje Haakonsen (NOR). Additionally, Pierre Vaultier, Brady Leman, Christian Haller (SUI) and Jesper Tjäder (SWE) took the win in the new SlopeX team competition.
Terje Haakonsen by Kluas Polzer
The Freestyle finals: An outstanding show The freestyle Big Air competition took place on the Main Big Air feature offering three different take-offs. The finals were held as a 70-minute jam session with the two best tricks counting.
For the snowboarders’, local hero Clemens Millauer (AUT) took victory landing a Frontside Double Cork 1440 Tailgrab and a Switch Backside 1260 Melon. Second place went to Carlos Garcia Knight (NZL, Frontside Double Cork 1080 Nosegrab & Switch Double Cork 900 Tailgrab). Simon Gruber (ITA) took third performing a Frontside 1080 Indy and Backside 1080 Mute. Terje Haakonsen also took the quarter-pipe Best Trick Award with a classy and massive Backside Air.
For the snowboard women, 2017 Aspen X Games winner Hailey Langland (USA) earned the win with a Cab 720 Nosegrab and one of the biggest Cab 1080s ever stuck by a snowboarder. Klaudia Medlova (SVK) took second while Silje Norendal (NOR) and Sina Candrian (SUI) tied for third.
Hayley Langland by David Malacrida
The Public Contest Day was a perfect ending to an exciting week at the Audi Nines presented by Falken. The thrilling footage produced in Sölden during the previous days proves the event has taken these sports to a new level. Find out more on www.audinines.com !
