Snow condition as we all know this season is not exactly how we all wished. Training in my home resort which is Vratna, SK was not according to my plans cause of lack of snow. With these aspects and coming competition day I began to doubt whether to participate on the race or not. There was nothing to lose, but only to gain from it so I decided to set out with my crew.

Registration took place on Thursday at Hotel Kanin, which I was not able to catch. So what I did was to ask another group of Czech riders which should also participate on this race to do it for me. They were John Kurz and Vladimir Svozil. John, whom I have been in contact with, was asked by me to register me because of my later arrival. Everything went without any complications so after the handover of start number 82 at 7 am at lower station lift I could take a part in this race.

The face itself was the same as last year except that it was absolutely crystal clear blue sky with burning sun which fired to all of us a commemorate for this event. After a little thinking and discussions with John I finally chose my line so I could throw myself into calm situation and went riding since I almost started on the last position. Half an hour hike I successfully managed and after 1 hour of waiting I was good to go. Qualifying run which I did was according to my opinion as best ridden as I could which reflected on the 4th position. John, who I had an opportunity to see hit the greatest air that day, but unfortunately didn’t not stump it thus did not get into the final day. So into the final day got two of us which is me from the 4th place and Vladimir from the 20th place.

Incidentally I would like to mention the snow conditions which prevailed those days. Just before the contest started we got about 15 cm of fresh pow which caused in some places crust snow right below and soft snow so it was variable. It turned out as a problem to many rides. Icy really was as you can see on the videos below.

Final day. Face for the final was shifted from the perspective of the viewer towards the left with the possibility of riding a part of qualifying face also. It was a very large face, which huge amount of choices. Just briefly to my ride. I went as I planned but at the last jump which had about 3 meter drop I totally underestimated so deep pow on landing which caused me tumble over my head, which rocketed me to unwanted 24th positions. Vladimir managed to ride his line without hesitation and the same drop jumped without problems which eventually put him on the 18th position.

Next year of this event is over and despite the fact that I had unhappy ending of my run, I must say that I am glad that I participated on this competition. Considering that it was only 2stars event if attracted a large number of excellent riders and thus the competition was great.

Video GoPro HD Headcam:

Qualification 4th Position: HERE
The final run 24th Position: HERE

Results:

SNOWBOARD WOMEN
1 3 ALMONDS Manuel AUT
2 15 Jenni FIN FIS
3 1 FRITZ Tamara AUT

WOMEN SKI
1 11 KHANKEVICH Anna RUS
2 4 Stina Jakobsson SWE
3 9 Jennifer Fard SWE

SNOWBOARD MEN
1 90 MACEK Matevž SLO
2 23 SCHARL Johannes GER
3 25 FUSCHLBERG ER Christoph AUT

SKI MEN
1 51 HARTL Dominik GER
2 77 Klotz Johannes AUT
3 42 HARLEAUX Guillaume FRA
18 43 Svozil Vladimir CZE
24 82 KNYBEL David CZE

Text: David Knybel