Les Diablerets/ Glacier 3000 - Saturday 3^rd November 2007

'Battle on the Glacier 3000' collaboration between the UK's very own no.1 grass roots collective For Boarders by Boarders and UK based freestyle snowboard camps Freestyle Concept.

The long anticipated wait was over and those that travelled from all over Europe, awoke to a beautiful bluebird day. Glacier 3000 is located between Les Diablerets and Gstaad. It's a wonderful area with a splendid ambience. No sign of any snow at ground level (Col du Pilon) but you wouldn't expect any during this time of year! 

Two massive lifts carry you to the top of the glacier where you would normally be able to ride down but as it's the beginning of November there isn't quite enough snow just yet! So the options were: A challenging walk down a rocky path or an easy chair lift down. The majority of boarders chose to walk as it was slightly quicker and you could see how eager the comp riders were.

This place must be no doubt incredible once snow covers everything!

Riders were trying to get as many practice runs in as possible but the queue at the T-bar lift for the glacier was heaving! This eventually got sorted out, with the comp riders having the privilege of having their own queue in order to get back up as quick as possible.

The comp kicked off at 11am with FBBB resident DJ Ch!co and MC Natty arriving just before to get spirits pumping. The atmosphere was great and the level of riding was insane! Some serious style was thrown down - These riders were not messing around!

Pro European riders consisted of Swiss locals Simon Abt and Severin de Couten, showing why they are the future of Swiss snowboarding. And for the ladies the riders looking strongest in qualification was Sarka Pancochova representing the Czech, Tina Ramholt and Sabrina Kusar.

The Brits had some good names out there, including Tamworth shredder Mike Austin, Ride sponsored Ben Knox, the document issue 46 cover holder Seb Kern and 13 year old Sparrow Knox. All of each held their own against an extremely talented bunch or riders. All judged by respectable pro riders: Sylvain "L'ami" Monnet and Laurent "General" Gougain.

Shredders that came to the glacier for a weekend shred, watched in awe as a serious 'off the hook' two hour slopestyle jam session went off and after a small break – selected finalists went through to a final hour ½ slopestyle session.

(The top 12 Male's and top 4 females were chosen for the finals. For the UK; Mike Austin, Ben Knox, Seb Kern and Sparrow Knox were through).

So the final jam session preceded - Riders rushed to get as many runs in as possible, whilst the judges were kept on their toes watching some proper sick riding. The riders that impressed the most were Christian Weber and Miiko Nicollet, who between them were throwing down switch BS 9's, FS 9's, and cab 7's. Representing the ladies was Anais Cetton - on track for the title, putting down FS 5's and switch BS 3's off the big booters. But the man that shone the most was Julien Bogoli who put down an incredibly stylish run that included a switch BS 5, FS 7 nose grab and a FS 360 double shifty,  as well as a gap to back lip on the flat down rail. Sick!

For the kids, Julien Emch took the title, with Patrick Burgener coming 2^nd, and the UK's Sparrow Knox sharing 3^rd place with young French ripper Vincent Reymond. The Nixon best trick went to Andreas Mancini for his crazy 1 footed line including

FS 3! And the only under16 female rider/winner was Maddie Knox.

What a way to kick start the season!

The prize giving and after party at the chalet Budokan was pretty crazy with Ch!co, again providing the live beats along with some special friends from the UK - Carpetface and Audible porno. A live rap/beatbox showdown which kept the party uber amped!

All in all a great comp, day out and party! Special thanks and respect goes to:

Loïc at Freestyle Concept and FBBB trio Mikee Chen, Thom Boddington and DJ Ch!co for organising the event. The 1 and only MC Natty! Big up to Dre and all the Demonium crew, everyone at chalet Budokan, all the riders who took part and all the crew at glacier 3000 for laying out a perfect park. And of course a huge thanks to all the sponsors - Ride, K2, D3o Lab, Jibstar, Sputnik, Nikita, Advita, Blueskin, Redbull, Heineken, Johndoe and Nixon, Dynamic media events, Vivid design & print, Fear of the park, Tom @monthrag and Thrilly and at last Josh and Document Snowboard.

Special thanks for Bernhard Tschannen at Glacier 3000 and Anne Petignat at Les Diablerets for their help and support.

Results of the comp:

-Men

1st- Julien Bogoli (FR, Corsica)Avo

2nd- Christian Weber (CH)

3rd- Miiko Nicollet (Pulp68)

-Women:

1st- Cettou Anaïs (CH)

2nd- Kusar Sabrina (FR) Avo

3rd- Tina Ramholt (CH)

-Kids (under 16)

1st- Fimet Jul (??)

2nd- Durgener Pat (CH)

3rd- Vincent Reymond (FR) et Sparrow Knox (UK)

-Girl (under 16)

1sr- Maddie Knox (UK)

 
Coments from some riders:

Sabrina Kusar :

It was just the best comp I've entered in, very relax, very good atmosphere and a very good and versatile park. Wicked for me!!!

Julien Bogoli:

Once the special line at the T-Barre was organised, the comp was really good and relaxed like I love it!! The kickers line was perfect. Well done guys!!

.

Mike Austin:

The 'Battle of the Glacier' has quite a serious sounding title and I went there with the expectations of it being quite intense. But with a jam session format and a very relaxed atmosphere it was really fun to ride. Sick riders from all over Europe were throwing down a high level of riding all day.

Seb Kern:

I thought the competition was really fun and a great way to throw myself back into the new season.  It had a nice relaxed feel to it, which is rare for any competition and was a great way to run it, what with being a pre-season event.