Andreas Håtveit Wins the 2011 Austrian Open Slopestyle
L-R: Elias Ambühl, Andreas Håtveit, Roy Kittler. p. Christoph Schoech
Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria — Norwegian favorite Andreas Håtveit has won the Austrian Freeski Open slopestyle. With excellent conditions, the 2008 X Games winner took victory at a thrilling contest in the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn. The 2009 Austrian Freeski Open winner, Elias Ambühl, took second, while Roy Kittler from Pirna, Germany took third. Patrick Hollaus from Zell am See became Austrian Champion.
Bright sunshine, no wind, clear air and no clouds — it was the perfect day for the Austrian Freeski Open 2011. On a demanding slopestyle course at the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn, the 30 semi finalists from eleven nations had two runs to show their skills on two kickers and rails. The ten best riders of the semi-finals qualified for the finals with the best of three runs counting.
The jury crowned the Norwegian Andreas Håtveit “Man of the Day.”
The 24-year-old nailed a perfect run with 270 on, pretzel out at the first rail, underflip at the Elephant Rail as well as Right Double Cork 1260 and a sensational Switch 900 Mute on the kickers. With his first place on the podium he took the biggest share of the 20,000 dollar prize-money: “I’m glad that I finally won! I’m stoked that I could keep up with the younger riders. I only tried to keep cool. It’s definitely great to win, especially at this perfect conditions!”
Second place finisher Elias Ambühl. p. Christoph Scheoch
Elias Ambühl showed an amazing switch double cork 12 and a sick rightside bio 900 reverse mute. He was stoked about his second place: “The course was pretty cool, great weather, it was a lot of fun! I didn’t show the 1260 in the training as I wanted to reserve it for the finals as a surprise.”
Roy Kittler improved heavily from his 9th place after the semi-finals and took third with a massive switch left 1260 mute leading into a right cork 900 tail grab: “Thanks to the great conditions, I was able to realize everything I had resolved to do.”
Roy Kittler. p. Christoph Schoech
Local Patrick Hollaus took the title of the Austrian Champion in front of Tommy Hupfauf and Tobi Tritscher. Hollaus was 14th in the main ranking, demonstrating that he is back again after a long period of injury. After this amazing contest day, the Official Transporter FIAT Professional took the riders to the FM4 Downdays Party at Kaprun Castle with the live act Cali P. featuring Chiqui Dubs, where they partied all night long.
The main partner of the event also demonstrated enthusiasm. Martin Steinbach, Atomic Marketing Manager, stated: “The Austrian Freeski Open are growing to become the biggest open contest in Europe. We saw an international field with an extremely high level. The level of the riders and of the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn is becoming better and better.” The founder and organizer Martin “McFly“ Winkler added: “The ninth edition was definitely the best one so far! I’m looking forward to next year when we will celebrate ten years of Austrian Freeski Open!”
For more information go to austrianfreeskiopen.com.
1) Andreas Hatveit
5) Ian Cosco
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About the author:
Shay Williams is the Managing Editor of Freeskier Magazine. He loves cheeseburgers, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sweden. He's likely on a plane right now—first class only.
