Val Thorens Snow Report: 19th February 2012

The conditions were not ideal and it began to get cold sitting upon the piste, the frosty beers being passed around doing very little to shake off the chill. Nevertheless, once the riders began hitting the giant kicker, attentions were sufficiently diverted. Much of the day was taken up with speed-checking the run up, skiers racing down the slip track and anticlimactically halting at the edge of the kicker. But still, there was a lot of talent on display once the freestyle skiers began reaching for some big air, much to the pleasure of the surrounding photographers. Indeed, the shaky start developed into a great lead-up event.

But of course, it was a lead-up. And fingers were tightly crossed on Thursday night and bed-time prayers in Val Thorens were directed towards one thing only. It is safe to say that what we were delivered on Friday in terms of the weather could not have been more ideal for a freestyle contest. Visibility was at an absolute optimum and the sun burned incredibly bright in the azure expanse above the resort making for some fantastic photo opportunities. Kicking off at 1pm, the earlier starting time benefitted from some direct sunshine on the area; good news for the plethora of spectators, some of whom had even stripped down to their t-shirts.

At 2pm, the helicopter session – much touted by the enthusiastic MCs - was underway, the chopper pursuing the riders over the jump for optimum coverage of one of the largest and most prestigious competitions in the freestyle-ski world. Amongst the 20 invited riders was the world number one on the AFP rank Elias Ambühl (SW), three times X-Games gold rider Kevin Rolland (FR) and the two time winner of the Frostgun International Russ Henshaw (AUS). With a 31 metre long table, a height of 11 metres and a 17 metre long gap, the kicker itself was something to behold, staging some of the finest big air freestyle one could have wished to witness. Qualifying for the finals, the 20 riders each had three attempts (the best two of which were counted) to progress a little closer to the $20,000 prize. As there were merely eight available spots in the finals, the riders had to be on top of their game if they wanted a shot at the prize and the air and tricks from the outset was outstanding.

With its view of the run-up, the jump, the landing area and the scoreboard, the slope opposite the chalet was an ideal place from which to survey the event in its entirety. There was a buzzing vibe amongst the crowd of picnicking spectators through which cheering and applause would regularly ripple following an impressive trick or a flyover from the helicopter. However, through the tunnel beneath the jump, one was privy to a more intimate experience of the event. On exiting the tunnel you could look up through the gap to see the riders flying overhead. Alternatively, you could inspect the take-offs and landings in more detail, from the sidelines of the run, a viewing area popular with trick-envy freestylers from Val Thorens. Of course, the really lucky ones were those with access to Chalet du Thorens’ private balconies who could enjoy the talent with the comfort of a chair and a frosty pint, or even an afternoon snack.

Once the eight riders had qualified, the riding format was changed as they began to battle it out in the finals. Split into four groups, they rode head-to-head in a knockout system, performing a trick of their choice on each hit of the jump. Previous champion Russ Henshaw performed well for Austria, finishing in third place with a Right Side Double Cork 1260 Mute Japan, but it was an all around successful competition for Switzerland who placed first and second. Rico Schuler’s Left-side Double Cork 1620 Tailgrab was a worthy second place but it was 16 year-old Kai Mahler’s epic Left-side Double Cork 1260 Shifty Japan (and exhale) which deservedly took home the trophy. To all the riders: you put on a fantastic show for us mere humans. Congratulations.