Big Air riders ready for third round
Aug 31, 2018·Snowboard Park & Pipe
After a successful integration of the Air+Style Beijing into the World Cup tour last weekend, the contest series continues this Saturday in Germany taking over the stage at SparkassenPark in Moenchengladbach, with top bands, DJs and a large product promotion area rounding out the event and ensuring an unique winter-sport and festival atmosphere.
Following last year's imposing debut of the ARAG Big Air Freestyle Festival which also features a freeski competition on Friday riders from all over the world have descended on the Lower Rhine town again to compete in this season's third big air competition scheduled for Saturday, Dec 2.
A 120 metres long and 49 metres high scaffolding ramp has been constructed on the hockey field serving again as perfect playground for the athletes who are here to not only compete for precious World Cup points but to also secure their ticket for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea where Snowboard Big Air will celebrate its much-anticipated Olympic debut.
After last year's triumphant female rider and current World Cup leader Anna Gasser (AUT) has announced to sit out the event in order to give her injured foot some time for recovery, athletes like Silje Norendal (NOR), last year's second and third ranked riders Katie Ormerod (GBR) and Miyabi Onitsuka (JPN) or Klaudia Medlova (SVK) are keen to grab their respective first win of the season.
And as the recent World Cup stops have already delivered a first glance on the massive progression of women's snowboarding, a high level and close competition is to be expected.
Same for the men's event which features a deep and strong field led by reigning Big Air World Champion Stale Sandbech.
The 2014 Olympic Silver medallist from Norway however will face some fierce competition from his team mates, e.g. spinning machine Marcus Kleveland.
In addition, Torgeir Bergrem (SWE), who finished in third position in Beijing, is hoping to keep the momentum from his China result while Jonas Boesiger (SUI) and Billy Morgan (GBR) who both rounded out the top-3 in Moenchengladbach last year, wouldn't mind to jump on the podium again.
In addition, Ville Paumola (FIN) or Japan's shooting star Hiroaki Kunitake are also able to mix it at the top.
Last year's podium
1. Anna Gasser (AUT) and Roope Tonteri (FIN)
2. Katie Ormerod (GBR) and Jonas Boesiger (SUI)
3. Miyabi Onitsuka (JPN) and Billy Morgan (GBR)
Time Schedule
Saturday, December 2, 2017:
10:20 AM CET: Men's qualifiers
2 PM CET: Women's qualifiers
6 PM CET: Women's finals
The latest programme can be checked .
