X OVER RIDE 2012 | A COMPLETE SUCCESS
The spectators got spectacular rides from the 75 participating freeriders from twelve nations. The start was on the Lackerschneid at about 2,560m in a steep section with some rocks and jumps on which the first backflips were already shown. The steep slope turned into a wide open field where the freeriders could show fluid and speedy turns. In the last section, the course became steep and selective again – here, too, many participants convinced on the one hand with tricks, and on the other hand with high wide rock jumps on the way to the finish at the Langwiedboden at an altitude of 1970m. The X OVER RIDE was held for the first time as a 3-Star Qualifier to the FWT and the region Zell am See-Kaprun offered the best conditions with the Kitzsteinhorn.
“International top three” strongly peppered with Austrians
In the men’s ski category, the favorite Mathieu Bijasson (FRA) came out on top and qualified for the Freeride World Tour next season. In second place with Léo Slémett again a Frenchman, who showed up strongly. The Austrian Martin Rofner reached the third place with a varied run – overall the Austrians presented themselves excellently in this international field of participants. In the snowboard competition Niklas Hollsten (FIN) convinced the judges with a smooth run and high clean jumps. Second place went to Austrian Alexander Hoffmann, who is thus on course to qualify for the FWT, with Swiss Raphael Bullet behind him. With Johannes Schwaiger in fourth place, a second Austrian showed up very strongly with a great run – he had secured a wild card just a week ago via the qualification. In the women’s skiing the run of Nadine Wallner from Vorarlberg was the strongest. Behind them Lotten Rapp (SWE) and Dutch Berber Semmelink in the ranks. In the women’s snowboard category, Australian Amber Schuecker was in front followed by Mikaela Hollsten (FIN) and Anouck Mouthon (FRA). Thus, the Hollsten siblings (Niklas and Mikaela) could score full points at the X OVER Ride – Niklas won the men’s snowboard, Mikaela came in second.
The spectacular pics & videos can be seen here: Photo & Videos X OVER RIDE 12