FREESTYLE SKI AND SNOWBOARD. Blue skies prevailed this weekend as over 32,000 freestyle.ch visitors soaked up freestyle sports at its finest. Making its debut on European soil, the impressive mini-MegaRamp stole the show. Snowboarder Halldor Helgason (ISL), freeskier Elias Ambühl (SUI), FMXer Dany Torres (ESP), and skateboarder Pierre-Luc Gagnon (CAN) all came out big winners during a blockbuster weekend of action at Landiwiese Park in Zurich.

Markus Eder (ITA) impresses Zurich's crowd with his exceptional style. (photo credit: Marc Weiler)

The Swiss freeski talents Elias Ambühl and Kai Mahler pulled off quite a feat in the electrifying and technically impeccable Freeski Final, scoring themselves a double victory at freestyle.ch. The freestyle.champ Freeski Elias Ambühl could hardly believe his luck. After two second places in 2009 and 2010 he finally managed to step on the very top of the podium by landing a Double Cork 1440°. «I’m totally overwhelmed. freestyle.ch is my favorite event of the year and winning in front of a home crowd is simply mind blowing,» says Ambühl.

After placing 2nd two years in a row, Elias Ambühl finally won freestyle.ch. (Photo credit: Marc Weiler)

Just as impressive as Ambühl’s performance was Kai Mahlers 2nd place. Only 16 years of age, Mahler showed his potential and convinced the judges on his first goaround ever at freestyle.ch. «I've been coming to freestyle.ch and admiring the athletes for years. Just getting the chance to be a starter at freestyle.ch is a dream come true – but to be on the podium beats everything... it’s beyond words,» says Mahler. Jossi Wells from New Zealand finished in 3rd place.

High-level action dominated the Snowboard Finals. Style icon Halldor Helgason from Iceland landed a Frontside Double Cork 1080°, an especially hard trick to stomp as the jump has to be landed backwards. Seppe Smits (BEL) and Ståle Sandbech (NOR) complete the podium of the snowboarding contest.

Halldor Helgason (ISL) impressed the judges with a Frontside Double Cork 1080. (Photo credit: Marc Weiler)

Swiss Snowboarder Pat Burgener spins with style into the direction of the crowd. (photo credit: Marc Weiler)

Sovereign Win for Favorites Gagnon and Torres

It's been a long time since freestyle.ch's skateboarders have basked in this much limelight. This year, the buzz was all centered on the European entrance of the mammoth mini-MegaRamp in the skateboarding category. All of the starting athletes couldn't wait to get to Zurich, and their dazzling show left no doubt about this ramp's bright future.

Pierre-Luc Gagnon (CAN) wins the first mini-MegaRamp contest ever on European Soil. (Photo credit: Marc Zander)

US-Skateboarder Andy Macdonald enjoys Zurich although he couldn't make the cut for the semi finals. (photo credit: Marc Zander)

Pierre-Luc Gagnon from Canada pulled off a sovereign victory. «I’m more than happy about winning the first mini-MegaRamp contest on European soil ever. The weekend has just been perfect for me,» says Gagnon. 2nd place went to Rony Gomes (BRA) and Adam Taylor (USA) took 3rd.

As expected by most, Dany Torres (ESP) won the FMX contest. After placing 2nd in the semi finals, Torres was the 2nd last rider to start in the final. He showed a perfectly executed Backflip Double Seat Grab and got judged the highest score of the event. His fellow Spaniard Maikel Melero who had won the semi final, crashed in his final run and had to be taken to the hospital for further examination. Torres took the win and Tom Pagès (FRA) and Petr Pilat (CZE) placed 2nd and 3rd.

FMX-Superstar Dany Torres (ESP) lands a victory for the 3rd time. (Photo credit: Marc Zander)

Lil Jon and BMXer Vince Byron to Be the Saturday Night Stars

Once again, Saturday night turned out to be the highlight of the weekend. US rapper Lil Jon got the crowds going with his signature crunk styled hip hop performance. Being a big fan of freestyle sports himself, he even returned to the venue as a guest on Sunday: «The concept of the event is simply phenomenal. I had a great time in Zurich.» Afer Lil Jon’s concert the unqiue interdisciplinary show contest «Crossover Session» took place. Following a 6-year hiatus, freestyle.ch called its BMXers back to Landiwiese Park to celebrate the European debut of the mini-MegaRamp, inviting them to join the Crossover Session.

BMX is back: Vince Byron brings some magic into MegaRamp. (photo credit: Marc Zander)

The Australian BMXer Vince Byron took the opportunity, impressed the crowd with a Backflip Double Tailwhip over the ramp and a Flair in the quarterpipe and got elected crossover.champ by the fans. All in all, this year’s edition of freestyle.ch was a great success. In 2012 the event will take place on September 24/25.

For more information go onto www.freestyle.ch

freestyle.champs united: Elias Ambühl, Dany Torres, Halldor Helgason and Pierre-Luc Gagnon. (Photo credit: Marc Zander)

freestyle.ch Zurich, September 24/25, 2011 – Europe’s largest freestyle sports event

  Tweet