What a day for Stefan Gimpl: The Austrian snowboard veteran not only celebrated his career's seventh World Cup triumph at the season's first big air competition of the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. The rider from the Salzburg countryside also made himself a fantastic birthday present. Turning 30 in front of 15,000 spectators at Battersea Power Station in London, the World Cup title defender relegated Switzerland's Gian-Luca Cavigelli and Domen Bizjak from Slovenia to the second and third rank respectively.

Besides the young guns with their "Backside 1260's" (Ulrik Badertscher, NOR) or "Frontside 1260's" (Janne Korpi, FIN) Gimpl stood out with his great style which made the tricks look so easy and him being able to stick them smoothly even if the 30-years-old had to struggle with his shaky legs right before the final attempt. "I was very nervous up there although actually nothing could have gone wrong as I was lucky over the last years living on the sunny side of life. It seems that someone is meaning well for me."

The World Cup leader was able to stomp a "Frontside 1080", his "so far best in my whole life" and then a "Cab 900" after the spectator crowd had serenaded him "Happy birthday".

The whole starter field met the expectations with a high level riding including some of the more than 50 riders from 12 countries showcasing even more difficult tricks than the winner - however, not as smooth and stylish like Gimpl did.

Gimpl victorious in London big air, season continues in Saas-Fee and Barcelona

After Stefan Gimpl (AUT) claimed the season's first big air victory in front of 15'000 spectators at the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup in London last Saturday (for full details, click here), this week promises to deliver some more freestyle action. Next, Saas-Fee (SUI) will host the season's second half-pipe contest, and the first in Europe. The competition in the Allalin Freestyle Park will feature qualification on 4th November followed by finals on 5th.

Two days later, a FIS World Cup premiere will be coming up as Barcelona celebrates its debut as host by organizing a city big air. The well-known Estadio Olimpico, the scene of many great sporting moments during the Olympic Games in 1992 will be the scene of many spins, flips, grabs and style on 7th November. An international starting field including many top pros will enter both competitions.

In Saas-Fee, many top athletes are taking advantage of the snow-secure ski area at 3'300 metres above sea level to improve their half-pipe runs. Besides the 2006 Olympic Bronze medalist Kjersti Buaas (NOR), Torah Bright (AUS), Paulina Ligocka (POL), Ursina Haller (SUI) and many others have been sighted. In the men's competition, the "who is who" of half-pipe Snowboarding will meet. Americans Kevin Pearce and Jack Mitrani will face strong squads from Japan and Finland including reigning World Champion Ryoh Aono, Peetu Piiroinen, Janne Korpi and Antti Autti.

In Barcelona, all eyes will be focused on Gimpl, a snowboard veteran who was able to successfully compete against all the young guns and rising stars on his 30th birthday in London which marked his career's seventh World Cup triumph.

01/11/2009
FIS news