Gimpl victorious in London big air, season continues in Saas-Fee and Barcelona
After Stefan Gimpl (AUT) claimed the season's first big air victory in front of 15'000 spectators at the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup in London last Saturday (for full details, click here), this week promises to deliver some more freestyle action. Next, Saas-Fee (SUI) will host the season's second half-pipe contest, and the first in Europe. The competition in the Allalin Freestyle Park will feature qualification on 4th November followed by finals on 5th.
Two days later, a FIS World Cup premiere will be coming up as Barcelona celebrates its debut as host by organizing a city big air. The well-known Estadio Olimpico, the scene of many great sporting moments during the Olympic Games in 1992 will be the scene of many spins, flips, grabs and style on 7th November. An international starting field including many top pros will enter both competitions.
In Saas-Fee, many top athletes are taking advantage of the snow-secure ski area at 3'300 metres above sea level to improve their half-pipe runs. Besides the 2006 Olympic Bronze medalist Kjersti Buaas (NOR), Torah Bright (AUS), Paulina Ligocka (POL), Ursina Haller (SUI) and many others have been sighted. In the men's competition, the "who is who" of half-pipe Snowboarding will meet. Americans Kevin Pearce and Jack Mitrani will face strong squads from Japan and Finland including reigning World Champion Ryoh Aono, Peetu Piiroinen, Janne Korpi and Antti Autti.
In Barcelona, all eyes will be focused on Gimpl, a snowboard veteran who was able to successfully compete against all the young guns and rising stars on his 30th birthday in London which marked his career's seventh World Cup triumph.
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