The 2016 Nine Queens event is just weeks away and the construction of the always-awesome setup is officially underway. With yet another stacked list of riders, this year’s event—going down at the Austrian resort, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis—is sure to impress. Today, Nine Queens revealed its latest course renderings, and as expected, the castle-like setup is damn impressive. The skiers (see below) are set to tackle the course March 13-18. We will be supplying you with loads of content about the event as the next few weeks unfold.
Enjoy the images and for more information, see the press release below.
The Course Renderings…
Press Release:
The construction of the 2016 Suzuki Nine Queens castle has begun in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austria. The 3D models will be transformed into snow ready for the all-female super session taking place March 13-18, 2016. Joining the world’s best invited skiers and snowboarders are the “Become a Queen” online video competition winners Johanne Killi (NOR, Ski) and Julia Marino (USA, Snb) who demonstrated solid technique, style and creativity. Don’t miss the Big Air Contest on Friday, March 18.
The 2016 Castle
Each year the unique feature, built by the experts from Schneestern, finds different ways to challenge the riders. This year the nearly 25-meter-wide main castle boasts a total of five take-offs, with two main booters measuring 21m from the lip to the knuckle, two step-ups and a smaller kicker through the tower. The hexagon shape jib feature is centred around a draw-bridge jib surrounded with a gap to down box, a double rail stair-set and 2 fun quarters.
The Riders
Returning to the top of the castle are snowboard extraordinaires Jenny Jones (GBR) and Jamie Anderson (USA) as well as Kjersti Ostgaard-Buaas (NOR), last year’s winner, who is currently turning heads showing her all-round skills on the Freeride World Tour. Emma Dahlström (SWE) who has been collecting medals on the freeski circuit is back along with Keri Herman (CAN), Kaya Turski (CAN) and many more. Mixing it up with fresh talent, there are the first-time queens, such as snowboarders Hailey Langland (USA) and Katie Ormerod (GBR) who stomped a world-first 1080 double cork (2014), and young-gun skiers Maggie Voisin (USA) and Guilia Tanno (SUI) who recently was 2nd at the U.S Grand Prix.
Suzuki Nine Queens – The Concept
The event, now in its sixth year, will host various shoots during the week, including sunset and sunrise sessions, creating stunning photos and videos. In addition, the invited photographers Flo Breitenberger (GER), Dasha Nosova (RUS) and Ilana Barkusky (CAN) will be competing for best photo in various categories. Creating a unique feature for the athletes to ride without pressure is the idea behind the event, leading to incredible performances, which progress the sport. The Big Air Contest wraps up the week and is the “showtime,” where the best action takes place. See you there!
Athletes:
- Dania, Assaly, CAN
- Coline Ballet-Baz, FRA
- Emma Dahlström, SWE
- Keri Herman, USA
- Johanne Killi, NOR
- Tiril Sjastaad Christiansen, NOR
- Zuzana Stromkova, SLO
- Katie Summerhayes, GBR
- Guilia Tanno, SUI
- Kaya Turski, CAN
- Maggie Voisin, USA
- Lisa Zimmermann, GER
The male version of the event, the Suzuki Nine Knights, embarks on its first “Mission” to create the “Perfect Hip” in Watles in South Tyrol, Italy, running March 29 through April 2, 2016.
Related: 2016 Nine Knights competition will feature one gigantic hip with five takeoffs
