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. world ski news : THE MORA BANC SKIERS CUP GRANDVALIRA - 31 ßíóàðè 2016 - 18:53
THE BIGGEST NAMES IN FREERIDE AND FREESTYLE DESCEND ON GRANDVALIRA, ANDORRA FOR THE MOST EPIC SHOWDOWN IN SKIING
SKIERS CUP. Grandvalira, Andorra – January 29, 2016. It was a magnificent display of talent on the Tossa de Caraup face as some of the greatest names in freeskiing and freestyle descended to represent their home continents. The Skiers Cup faces off the Americas and Europe in the most innovative ski competition in the world – riders are matched up in one-on-one competition format and score points for their respective continents. At the end of the day it was Loïc Collomb-Patton’s team Europe that was able to take the lead for day which featured big mountain skiing, also known as freeride. Sage Cattabriga-Alosa’s America gave a good effort, but team Europe held it together to take the victory.
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The sun was shining today as competitors made their way up to the top of the competition face which culminates at 2515m. Conditions were spring-like as the Andorran sun perfectly softened the snow just in time for competitors to start throwing down their best big mountain runs.
The objective was simple: throw down the most impressive line for the three-continent judge’s panel: neutral judge and FWT legend Sam Smoothy (NZL), freeskiing godfather Philou Poirier (CAN), and French freesking staple Arnaud Rougier. For each face off, the winner was awarded a point for his team and after two heats the team with the most points was the victor.
TEAM AMERICAS HIGHLIGHTS
Heat I
Big mountain legend Seth Morrison (USA) started things off with a huge backflip which he was unfortunately unable to stomp but pleased crowds nonetheless. Parker White (USA) gave viewers some treats with an impressive switch air and a big backflip. Rainville (USA) and Nick McNutt (CAN) were also a pleasure to watch with several big spins and switch airs. Team Americas experienced their fair share of impressive crashes, allowing themselves to be strongly bested by Europe
Heat II
Team Captain Cattabriga-Alosa played it safe with his trademark silky smooth style but was nonetheless a pleasure to watch. Team America was inching towards a comeback with powerful youth jibbery by Grant Howard (USA), Logan Pehota (CAN), and a notable run by Morrison who was finally able to stomp his trademark backflip and combine with solid skiing but was ultimately outskied by his French matchup. Well-known shredder Tim Durtschi (USA) had a solid run with some big flips but was not able to bring the Americas back into the game.
TEAM EUROPE HIGHLIGHTS
HEAT I
Europe’s domination started early on and lasted most of the day with stronger and more consistent riding throughout the matchup. Captain Collomb-Patton (FRA) always impresses with his big full-throttle airs and was backed up by strong skiing and smooth tricks from Fabio Studer (AUT) and Mathieu Bijasson (FRA). Marcus Eder (ITA) sent some stylish airs with speed on the skiers right of the venue with a solid rodeo 5 over the step-up. Sam Athamatten (SUI) charged a huge double set as a single air to up the ante.
HEAT 2
Mathieu Bijasson (FRA) bested Morrison at his own game by stomping a cleaner backflip than the American Ski legend. Sam Athamatten (SUI) was the man of the day with an insanely huge air to start with which he stomped in both runs and topped off with a massive huck at the end that most definitely pleased the crowds. In the end, team Europe’s more well-rounded team was able to keep it together when it counted to bring home another win over team Americas.
DAY TWO – BACKCOUNTRY SLOPESTYLE WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1 – WILL CATTABRIGA-ALOSA’S TEAM AMERICAS REGAIN ITS GLORY AFTER TODAY’S DEFEAT?
Team Americas will be thirsty for victory after today’s defeat – but will Collomb-Patton’s Europe step it up again and solidify its lead? Stay updated on Monday at www.skierscup.com to check out the best footage from the final day of the most innovative showdown in skiing.
For a replay of today’s action make sure to check out www.skierscup.com
Press Release
FWT Management