Monday Mix - May 18, 2020

Hello and happy Monday to everyone!

It's a big week in the FIS world as we carry out our spring meetings and calendar conference, which for obvious reasons are taking place in an online format for the first time ever. We'll have a recap of any major developments on the front early next week, so stay tuned...

Hopefully you're welcoming this week with a little extra feeling of optimism today, as lockdown restrictions start to lift around much of Europe and in places like New Zealand and Australia, meaning that there's a little light appearing at the end of the pandemic tunnel.

One of the most exciting aspects of the easing of the lockdown restrictions from the shred persepctive is we're seeing some northern hemisphere resorts reopening for spring riding, while down in the southern hemisphere they're gearing up for winter.

Austrian ace Clemens Millauer was straight back into action as soon as he heard the word "go" regarding the easing of restrictions, dropping a little of his signature style sickness up on the Kaunertaler glacier over the weekend...

Meanwhile, down south, Aussie SBX ripper Jarryd Hughes is getting pumped up to jump over to NZL, where Cardrona has announced they'll be opening later this June...

However, if it's looking like the glacier lifts won't be spinning where you are even as the lookdown restrictions ease, you could follow Pierre Vaultier's lead and find any other means possible to get up on snow, whether that means, cycling, hiking, snowshoeing or all of the above...

If getting back on snow is out of the question for you regardless of easing restrictions and/or opening resorts, there's still plenty of insane challenges going around for you to occupy your time indoors, such as this one from Czech superwoman Ester Ledecka...

(And here's a little bonus Ester content for you, as the folks at Around the Rings caught up with her for an interview where she discusses the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, where she'll be looking to repeat her stunning two-sport, double gold medal-winning performance from PyeongChang 2018...)

If you're a normal person who realizes that getting dressed while standing on your hands like Ester Ledecka is a) insanely difficult and b) not quite annoying enough for the other people in your life, just take a cue from Australia's 2019/20 Olympic Athlete of the Year Scotty James and spend your time scaring the ones you love half to death, all for the 'gram...

However, we do NOT recommend you pull stunts like this on Benny Karl, because he is ARMED and DANGEROUS...

A couple nice throwback clips from US riders popped up last week, first with Judd Henkes goin' switch back trip in training at the Air + Style big air World Cup Beijing back in December...

And next with Luke Winkelmann, who reminded us of this super stylish double wobble 14 from the Atlanta big air World Cup. That second dip is a thing of beauty...😍

Speaking of beautiful, Finnish flash Mikko Rehnberg reminded us all of the rare and majestic triple front flip last week. Wonderful, wonderful stuff...

Annnd, speaking of "rare," the Canadian squad reminded us of Mark McMorris's mindbending world-first frontboard to backside double cork 1170 from a few years back...

Ever wondered what Laurie Blouin's favourite trick is? If so, she's got answers for you...

Quick shoutout to Dusty Henricksen for being named the US Snowboard Athlete of the Year. Dusty's list of 2019/20 accomplishments is insane - Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games slopestyle gold, first career World Cup win on home soil at Mammoth Mountain, first-ever quad cork 1800 landed in slopestyle competition at the Burton US Open...the fact he did all of this while just 16-17 years of age makes it almost unbelievable.

Sweet stuff from Switzerland's Pat Burgener, dropping a doubles miniramp skate lines with his little homie back home in Crans Montana...

And finally we'll end things off with some good vibes from Norway, where they marked Constitution Day yesterday and, in honour of his country, Marcus Kleveland put on his Sunday finest to throw down a little whirlybird in celebration of his great nation...

One more thing - don't forget to check out our #ClassicsLive throwback to 2007 in Valle Nevado (CHI) and the second career victory for the legend Pierre Vaultier (FRA), playing on our YouTube channel for a few more days HERE.

Enjoy the week and keep keepin' on, everyone. Things are getting better!