SNOWBOARD. 29th October will see the season's third LG Snowboard FIS World Cup event on the agenda. For the fourth time, the British capital will host the winter's first big air. The contest, which takes place right next to the iconic towers of the Battersea Power Station, will also mark the highlight of the three-day winter sport and music festival London Freeze, attracting many top riders.

One snowboarder has a very special relationship with the gigantic, 32-meter ramp in London. Marko Grilc (SLO) not only celebrated his first World Cup win there last year, but also had one of the most challenging experiences of his career at the very same venue three years ago. The 28-year-old from Ljubljana dislocated his hip at the event in 2008. Grilc commented: "London is an amazing event for me. I had one of the toughest moments in my life there but also one of my happiest. So it's an emotional place that I love. I can't wait to go there. I have been riding a lot this pre season and hope all goes well."

Not far away from the River Thames, Grilc will meet riders such as 2011 FIS Big Air-Slopestyle World Cup winner Clemens Schattschneider (AUT) and reigning world champion Petja Piiroinen (FIN). But rumor has it that the London Freeze Festival will also feature the likes of Janne Korpi (FIN), Pat Burgener (SUI), Victor de le Rue (FRA), Gjermund Braaten (NOR), Jamie Nicholls (UK) and Rocco van Straten (NED).

After the riding is done, boarders will concentrate on some fine music as there are several good acts to enter the main stage. "The Streets," the headliner of Saturday, is about to play its very last concert in London. For more information click here.

For more information and regular updates on the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup season visit www.fissnowboard.com

Contributed by Oliver Kraus
FIS news
26/10/2011