A few hours ago freeski history was written with Team Europe winning the first Swatch Skiers Cup in Chili. The US boys had to admit this year there was no chance at all to challenge Kaj Zackrisson and his very well placed team! Mark Abma has now one year time to think about changing his strategy, team members and everything else which comes along to might take back the Swatch Skiers Cup trophy from Europe in the next edition.
The day started early at 6am and the ambiance already at the breakfast was completely different. Over the last two days everyone was just joking around and having a good time, but this last decisive competition day everyone was totally serious.
Richard Permin, Team EuropeUp on the mountain the ski resort of Valle Nevado was on it‘s beast behavior with bluebird and a bride smiling sun. The course for the backcountry was a bit changed and the quaterpipe on top was replaced with a nice little hip. That was probably also for the purpose of the big mountain guys who are not too much into the jib world ;-)
Matt Margetts, Team America
Seb Michaud, Team EuropeAt around 11 o‘clock it finally kicked off. The first round with eight pairings each was definitely the more exciting one ending 4:4. To mention outstanding performances there is one more time no way around Markus Eder. He went with a smooth 180 over the hip, nailed down his famous switch misty 900 and continued with a switch right 540 on one of the natural kickers. Also really crowd pleasing was Seb Michaud and his massive old school backflip or Nico Vuignier and Richard Permin who landed one of the smoothes switch cork 5s ever seen!!
But also the americans convinced with some great riding. Especially Dylan Hood, Rory Bushfield and Oakley White-Allen brought some nice tricks and fluent riding to the game. So in the end of round one the points total was 10:6 for team Europe, which was a quite comfy advantage, but still nothing was over.
Richard Permin, Team Europe
After a quick break round two and different battles were expecting the mainly chilean crowd who almost freaked out during the comp. It was more than obvious this was something they have never seen in their lives before.
Nico Vuignier, Team EuropeSadly or fortunately depending on which team you support round two wasn‘t that gripping anymore. Already in the middle it was clear there was no chance left anymore for Team Americas. That‘s also why some of the guys took it rather easier except Richard Permin. The frenchy still went for a siiick switch 900 mute on the step down kicker he couldn‘t really stomp, but it was definitely one of the biggest tricks of the day. In the end the second round was tied up as well and the accumulated score was 14:10! Congratulations Team Europe for this great victory!!
Right after the 20.000 Dollar price purse as well as the Swatch Skiers Cup trophy was handed to Kaj Zackrisson who was totally overwhelmed he won his own event which took him more than three years till it finally happened. But also team Americas won‘t come back empty and their (party) budget is 10.000 dollar!
Well, unfortunately I guess that‘s it! Tonight the afterparty will round up this amazing event! We wanna thank everybody who was involved in this competition, you‘ve set up the best events we‘ve ever been part of. The way everyone was treated and how you organized and planed everything was absolutely perfect and the first step to become a very prestigious and appreciated event is surely done! Thanks also to Aurélien Chaumaz who made all this possible for bringing us on site!!
Check also our full article in the digimag which is to be released by the beginning of next week! Once again, thank you Swatch for making all that possible.
