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2* FWQ & FJT Open Faces Kappl 2015 | Report

Difficult conditions in Kappl at the 2* Freeride World Qualifier and 2* Freeride World Juniors

by Stephanie Jagl-Posch 02/23/2015
The snow and weather conditions are not making it easy for the organizing team of the Open Faces Freeride Series this season. Instead of holding the contest as planned on the Freeride World Tour-proven, beautiful Quellspitze, a replacement face had to be found at short notice due to the snow conditions. In addition, it was even necessary to change the zoning and the start of FWQ** and FJT** on the day of the contest. The visibility conditions were not the best either ...

All riders were supposed to start from the top, but the upper part of the slope was simply too icy to allow for safe runs. In this respect, the decision to move the start further down made a lot of sense, as the lower part of the slope still offered plenty of opportunities for spectacular action. All riders chose their lines carefully and rode appropriately for the conditions and their ability, so that there were no accidents.

Despite the precarious conditions, many riders put in a great performance, especially those who were able to place themselves on and around the winners' podium.

In the ski category, Sebastian Maier from Erl in Tyrol ended up taking victory for Austria. The Tyrolean caught the line he chose in the upper part the cleanest and stood a jump over a high rock safely. Oskar Holmblad (SWE) came second and Leonard Rauch third.

While her brother Vincent Kriechmayr impressed with sixth place in the World Cup downhill in Saalbach-Hinterglemm and achieved his best career result, his sister Jacoba also celebrated her victory in the women's ski race in her comeback season: "Despite the really difficult conditions, I felt good. Now I'm extremely happy about my victory and that I was able to ski my line as I had planned." Second place went to Sweden's Caroline Stromberg, third place went to Malene Madsen from Denmark.

A Tyrolean was also able to impress in the women's snowboarding category. Nina Schleifer from Zillertal took home 600 winning points in her second ever contest start. With Bettina Pickl from Carinthia in second place and Khantutita Ramol Coca in third, the entire podium in this category shone in red-white-red.

In the men's snowboard category, the Austrian local heroes were not quite able to take the lead. Andreas Stromseth (NOR) won ahead of Daniel Eisendle (ITA) in second place. However, Marcel Loschin, a snowboarder from the region, also completed the podium in this category.

Results Freeride World Qualifier

Men's ski:
Sebastian Maier (AUT)
Oskar Holmblad (SWE)
Leonhard Rauch (AUT)

Women's ski:
Jacoba Kriechmayr (AUT)
Caroline Stromberg (SWE)
Malene Madsen (DEN)

Men's snowboard:
Andreas Strømseth (NOR)
Daniel Eisendle (ITA)
Marcel Loschin (AUT)

Women's snowboard:
Nina Schleifer (AUT)
Bettina Pickl (AUT)
Khantutita Ramos Coca (AUT)

All results

Hats off to the Open Faces team for making a safe contest possible for everyone, and see you next year in Kappl!

Six nations at the start of the Open Faces Freeride Juniors

In the European comparison of the juniors, Konstantin Ottner (GER), who had already attracted attention with his second place at the OPEN FACES JUNIOR HOCHKÖNIG, impressed in the end. Dominik Elzenbaumer (ITA) took second place, while Martin Kogler from Fieberbrunn secured third place in the men's ski category. Maria Sofia Frenademez (ITA) was crowned the toughest lady among the junior freeskiers, having joined the boys due to the lack of competition. The winning face in the snowboard category remains Csongor Armin Szasz (HUN), who has already won both previous Freeride Junior Tour competitions at Kappl and Hochkönig as part of the Open Faces. Max Pfab (GER) came second and Tobias Gaschler (GER) was third.

Freeride World Juniors results

Ski men:
Konstantin Ottner (GER)
Dominik Elzenbaumer (ITA)
Jakob Ernst (AUT)

Snowboard men:
Csongor Armin Szasz (HUN)
Max Pfab (GER)
Tobias Gaschler (GER)

All results

At the start

At the start

Photo gallery

This article has been automatically translated by DeepL with subsequent editing. If you notice any spelling or grammatical errors or if the translation has lost its meaning, please write an e-mail to the editors.

Show original (German)

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