O’Neill Evolution 2009
Training is underway for the 2009 O’Neill Evolution on both the quarterpipe and the slopestyle at the base of the Jakobshorn in Davos.
And the riders on hand seem to like what they see. A lot.
“The quarterpipe feels really good this year,” says 16-year-old Canadian rider Seb Toutant. “It’s bigger but it’s got a much smoother lift. It’s going to be a lot easier to get some good height.”
“This quarterpipe is one of the biggest in the world. It felt really good in training.”
Chas Guldemond
The new knockout round format is something that Seb’s looking forward to as well. “You have to do three different runs, with your best two counting,” he explains. “It means that you have to do a lot of different tricks to impress the judges each time. I think that suits me. I like to try to learn new things, and this pushes you to do that.”
Current Swatch TTR World Tour leader Chas Guldemond is another rider stoked to be part of the 6Star event: “This quarterpipe is one of the biggest in the world. It felt really good in training.”
“I never used to ride so well in quarterpipes,” Chas continues, “but then I went to the X Trail Jam and things just started to come together for me. I don’t know why – maybe it’s because I am older. I’m also in good shape at the moment. I worked out for nine weeks before the start of the season, just stretching and going for huge hill walks. It makes a big difference.”
But it’s not just the tricks and the amplitude that will be impressing the crowd this year. There’s also - hold your breath - the lighting.
Seriously. This year’s Evolution will have three 5-meter-wide balloons floating 25 metres above the quarterpipe and the slopestyle course. Each balloon will have HMI lights beaming down on the course, producing a massively strong white light akin to that of a film production. The effect will be a feeling of daylight – amazingly bright – smack in the middle of the dark winter night.
In addition, fourteen smaller balloons, each 1.6meters in diameter, will sit on the start lines of both the quarterpipe and the slopestyle.
Slopestyle qualification starts today with three 75-minute heats of around 30 riders each. Every rider will have three runs, with their top two scores counting. Five riders will progress to the finals from each round, with the top scoring sixth placed rider also progressing.
Judges will be looking for variety, amplitude, technique and fluidity and style.
Stay tuned for daily updates right here on www.huckmagazine.com.
THE RIDERS
The confirmed invited riders are:
Chas Guldemond
Janne Korpi
Seb Toutant
Stefan Gimpl (slopestyle only)
Antti Autti
Risto Mattila
Peetu Piiroinen
Gian Simmen
Eirik Haugo
Frederik Evensen
Henning Marthinsen
Kim-Rune Hansen
Tim Humphries
Manuel Pietropoli (quarterpipe only)
Colin Frei
Iouri Podlatchikov
Arthur Longo
THE FORMAT
In a break from the norm, The O’Neill Evolution will be using a new heat system based on that of a surf contest. Four-man heats will start in the round of 32 snowboarders, and from the round of 18, this will be down to 2-man heats to determine the finalists and the winner. Changing over to this K.O. system will guarantee an exciting contest with a clear undisputed winner.
LIVE WEBCAST
The O’Neill Evolution will be broadcast live via Freecaster on HUCK TV starting Friday 9th January.
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O’Neill Evolution 2009 (text) by HUCK HQ is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 UK License.
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