FREERIDE, BACK-COUNTRY SKIING. In the first ever big-mountain Freeride team matchplay event, Europe will challenge the Americas in Valle Nevado, Chile from 5-12 September, 2011. This new competition will see the world's top male freeskiers going head-to-head in both big mountain freeride and back-country slopestyle formats.

The teams will be captained by two icons of the freeride world - Team Europe will be led by Kaj Zackrisson and Team Americas by Mark Abma. Week-by-week, they will be unveiling their individually selected team riders on Facebook www.facebook.com/SwatchSkiersCup and on the event website www.skierscup.com, with top names from both the competitive and film side of the sport to be announced.

Kaj says: "We've been working on this idea for a number of years, so it's super cool that Swatch has now made it happen.  We're going have a lot of fun and hopefully, after the competition, 12 months of bragging rights!"

Captain Americas, Mark says: "Who wouldn't be up for this? Pow, Chile in September and the coolest riders around, let me know if it gets any better?"

A long-term partner of the Freeride World Tour, Swatch has played an active role in the development of the sport and this most recent innovation. Commenting on the new event, Swatch President Arlette-Elsa Emch said, "I am extremely impressed to see the total professionalism of these young men. They’re so full of joy and happiness, you can’t help but share their emotion."

About the Swatch Skiers Cup

Date: 5-12 September 2011
Place: Valle Nevado (45 kms from Santiago), Chile
Disciplines: One day of Big Mountain Freeride and one day Backcountry Slopestyle
Competition format:
– Riders go head-to-head in a series of heats with one point awarded per heat.
– 2 rounds of 8 heats per discipline meaning a total of 4 rounds and 32 points available over the 2 days of competition.
– Every rider must take part in the 4 rounds.
– A draw takes place to decide which team captain chooses a rider for the first heat.
– The opposing team captain then tactically decides which of his riders will go head-to-head.
– The other team then decides (strategy) which opponent they will propose.
– For the second heat, the draw and choice of riders is switched.
– There will be two rounds of eight heats per day (total of 32 points available over the two days of competition).
– Every rider must take part in each round.
– The team with the most points keeps the cup for a year.

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