Snake & Hammers – Banked Slopestyle in Montafon
Time is short and we got none right now, reason why I hope you get along with „just a press release“. The official edit below speaks for itself, but bottom line is: Nike managed it to throw out one sick event, that clearly goes against the Spin-to-Win Hype and combines the classic skills you need for a Banked Slalom, plus the freestyle ability to pull tricks on park obstacles at the same time ..doesn’t that sound rad?
Four unforgettable days at the Snake & Hammers banked slopestyle at Silvretta Montafon/Austria – riding an innovative contest course 36 amateurs and 23 pros and legends took up the challenge of fast riding and stylish tricks. 24th to 27th March 2013, Nike Snowboarding presented „Snake & Hammers“ at Silvretta Montafon, Austria.
Christian Haller on the Straight Rail after coming through that tunnel | photo by: Cyril Mueller.
The specially designed course combined the turns of a traditional banked slalom with the features of a slopestyle event. A combination of numerous turns and banks, the park included a stairset, side by side kicker setup, big bowl, a London gap through a snow tunnel to a straight rail, a creative halfpipe and a small hip. The aim of each rider was to snake down course as fast as possible while dropping their best „hammers“ along the way.
Stephan Mauer with classy Banked Slalom abilities – no surprise! | photo by: Cyril Mueller.
The set up in Montafon attracted Nike riders Peetu Piiroinen, Jamie Nicholls, Kevin Backstrom and Spencer O’Brien joined by world class snowboarders Peter König, Thomas Feurstein, David Bertschinger Karg, Marco Smolla, Enzo Nilo, Stephan Maurer and Tor Lundstrom alongside esteemed legends David Benedek, Christoph Weber, Nico Droz, Nicola Thost, Bobby Meeks, Darius Heristchian and Steve Gruber.
Peetu Piiroinen on what he’s good at: kickers! | photo by: Cyril Mueller.
On Monday 25th, ten amateurs qualified for the semi finals and finals which were held under the week’s best weather conditions on the 27th. When the judging was complete Christian Haller (SUI) showed he had the best mix of balance, speed and tricks winning him a share of the $10,000 prize purse. With a race time of 01:25,10, frontside lipslide on the gap downrail, frontside 720 tailgrab off the kicker and many other tricks he claimed a deserved win. Spencer O’Brien won the women’s contest by snaking down the course with her well documented power and style with the best hammer award going to Jamie Nicholls who threw a perfectly stomped backside 1080 off the kicker.
MEN:
1. Christian Haller / SUI
2. Stephan Maurer / SUI
3. Peetu Piiroinen / FIN
WOMEN:
1. Spencer O’Brien / CAN
2. Nicola Thost / GER
3. Aline Bock / GER
BEST HAMMER:
Jamie Nicholls / ENG
