FREESKI. The Swatch Skiers Cup, the first-ever continental team freeski event, will return to Valle Nevado (Chile) from 1 to 9 September 2012 and see 16 of the world’s best freeskiers competing in both Big Mountain and Backcountry Slopestyle to bring back home the treasured Swatch Skiers Cup trophy.

The 2 teams of 8 Riders, led by captains Mark Abma (Team Americas) and Sverre Lilliequist (Team Europe), will battle in a series of man-to-man duels in the Chilean Andes. A rider winning his duel scores one point for his team and the team with the most points at the end of the 2-day competition gains possession of the Swatch Skiers Cup trophy for one year.

All 16 Freeskiers have been hand-picked by Captains Mark and Sverre. Teams' composition was announced last week-end at Xtreme Verbier, finals of the Swatch Freeride world Tour 2012.

The 2012 Swatch Skiers Cup will feature:

Team Americas
Mark Abma (CAN – Captain)
Chris Benchetler (USA)
Chopo Diaz (CHILE)
Kye Petersen (USA)
Sean Pettit (USA)
Parker White (USA)
Oakley White-Allen (USA)
+ Rider 8 to be unveiled

Team Europe
Sverre Lilliequist (SWE – Captain)
Markus Eder (ITA)
Bene Mayr (GER)
Richard Permin (FRA)
Sam Smoothie (NZL)
Jacob Wester (SWE)
Kaj Zackrisson (SWE)
+ Rider 8 to be unveiled

Help find the 8th Rider                         

The 8th member of each team is still unknown and Captains have a few more weeks to release their last choices. Public can suggest names of riders they would like to see in their continental team via “Help find the 8th Rider” Facebook application (available on www.facebook.com/SwatchSkiersCup).

A balanced team composition, mixing talents coming from the freestyle scene together with experienced freeriders, is the key to success of the Swatch Skiers Cup: make your choice count and may the best team win!