Featured Image: Distillery/David Malacrida
One of the most progressive events in the world of freeskiing, the Audi Nines–originally dubbed Nine Knights–has gone through many iterations since its inception in 2008. Every year, the competition is improved and expanded upon–think: the addition of Nine Queens in 2011, the inclusion of snowboarders in 2013 and changing the name to Nine Royals in 2017. 2018 saw the most ambitious reinvention to date when ski- and snowboardcross athletes received an invite to the event alongside the usual top tier freeriders. The trend continues in 2019 with the announcement of a second, separate location for the Audi Nines 2019 event and a contest dedicated solely to the women.
Based on athlete feedback from last year’s event calling for a women’s specific set-up to help female athletes maximize their progression, the 2019 Audi Nines will be in two locations. While the men are in Sölden, Austria, the women will head over to nearby Obergurgl-Hochgurgl where female athletes, photographers and–for the first time in the event’s history–an all-female team of terrain park shapers will convene for a week-long session.
Stay tuned for more information on the course design and who will be competing at this year’s event, but in the meantime, press play on the video above to get the stoke started for the Audi Nines April 22-27, 2019.
