All Images: Joachim Clausen Hansen | Skier: Joel Magnusson
Over the weekend, we saw the return of the epic Scandinavian Team Battle. The unusual and ever-entertaining dryslope contest pitted six teams of two against each other in a freestyle battle under the summer sun on the green turf of CopenHill, Denmark.
2025 was a historic year for the Scandi Team Battle. Team Sweden, the four-time reigning champion, saw a big change-up as Jesper Tjäder stepped down due to injury and was replaced by Joel Magnusson. A new format was also introduced, opening up the event to the public with a qualifier round taking place before the main event. The two winners of this qualifier, Thor Hundborg and the incognito skier who goes by the IG handle Scum of Skiing, advanced to the pro comp on Team Qualifier.
The insane skiing that followed, combined with live music, food and drink, and an afterparty for the ages, drew a crowd of 1,300 people to the Team Battle, a record crowd for the event! The ecstatic crowd had the pleasure of watching 12 of freeskiing’s finest duke it out in ideal Danish summer weather.
🇸🇪 TEAM SWEDEN: Emil Granbom & Joel Magnusson
🇳🇴 TEAM NORWAY: Eirik Moberg & Mats Bjørndal
🇩🇰 TEAM DENMARK: Jakob Ebskamp & Gorm Garth-Grüner
🇫🇮 TEAM FINLAND: Harald Hellström & Elias Syrja
🇫🇷 TEAM FRANCE: Alaïs Develay & Mateo Socquet
TEAM QUALIFIER: Scum of Skiing & Thor Hundborg
The full course was a marvelous mix of jib features. From the top down, athletes made their way from the elbow kink rail, wall ride to tube, two down rails, rainbow rail to down box, tube to mini pool, double kink rail, big jump AKA the money booter, step-up chairlift rail and finally, the classic tube.
After the aforementioned qualifier round, the true battle began. Alaïs Develay and Mateo Socquet were looking to make a name for France in the country’s first-ever year competing, and Sweden’s Magnusson was hungry to make a name for himself in his inaugural performance as well.
The weather could not have been more ideal. Warm temps and plenty of sun brought out the best in both the skiing and the crowd. Of course, a freestyle competition on a dry slope course comes with a lot of risk. Several athletes, including Team Denmark competitor and event organizer Jakob Ebskamp, were forced to take some intense bails. Nevertheless, the sends continued and the spirits remained sky high.
After a full afternoon of ripping, Team Sweden was officially dethroned and it was Team Norway’s Eirik Moberg and Mats Bjørndal who earned the judges’ respect and took the top spot. Sweden didn’t slip far down, though, as Emil Granbom and Joel Magnusson did their Scandi Team Battle history proud and snagged second place. The unlikely third-place recipients were none other than Team Qualifier.
“This was by far our biggest and best year yet, and I’m stoked to keep the event going for years to come,” said Ebskamp, looking back on the madness. While the Scandinavian Team Battle might still be finding it’s place in freeskiing, it truly is a shining example of a community-driven event that brings out the best in both local talent, crowd energy and skiers from around the globe. We can’t wait to see what Ebskamp and the CopenHill crew pull out next.
Scroll down for podium results and the magnificent full photo gallery from photographer Joachim Clausen Hansen.
Stay tuned for the full recap and highlight video coming soon!
2025 Scandinavian Team Battle Podium
🥇 TEAM NORWAY
🥈 TEAM SWEDEN
🥉 TEAM QUALIFIER
Photo Gallery
