Press release Crans-Montana, Monday March 28th
Freeski & Snowboard International Event, 24-27 mars 2011, Crans-Montana
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OFFICIAL RELEASE
Survival of the Fittest 2011 : Jonas Hunziker unstoppable.
The most expected swiss invitational battle of the season went
down on Sunday 27th in Crans-Montana.
A mind blowing 21 meters perfect jump with some interesting
spine options had been built especially for this occasion. It
looked like a pure miracle considering the very poor snowfalls of
the winter. Once again, the very creative battle type was in every riders
mind at breakfast. Winning the Survival of the Fittest requires
more than a one and only solid trick. At each one of the 7 steps
that lead to the title, riders have to land a different trick. They get
only one chance to go through and no mistakes are alowed.
Multiple strategy are possible : riding safe and hope for the bails
of the opponents or going big and put pressure on them.
After one of the most spectacular training session ever witnessed
during which Rookie Kaï Mahler (CH) killed the spot with a switch
double bio1440, the 15 invited riders were ready to fight.
Jonas Hunziker (CH) with bip number 1 launched the battle with
a perfect cork9 truetail setting immediatly the standard to a high
level. Coming back from a 4 month injury, Laurent Favre (FR)
looked really confident in this first round with a flatspin5 seamen
screamin. First eliminated riders were Sami Ortlieb (CH), Max Hill
(USA) and Harry Pettit (NZ) who didnt score enough even with
good looking cork7ʼs. Last eliminated was Ian Compton (USA)
who proved once again how creative and fun freeskiing has to be
by trying a transfer 180 to spine. Unluckily, his attempt didnʼt end
as succesfully as planned.
2nd round : Halvard Thon (NOR) showed how much he loves to
compete by winning the second step with an enormous bio9
tweaked mute. The local heroes Laurent DeMartin and Alex
Neurohr replied to that scandinavian threat with a stylish cork9
blunt and an original switch7 double tail. Simon Ericson (SWE)
took the 9th place with a switch9 truetail. Just missing the cut
was Kaï Mahler who had a little problem on landing his switch
bio10 mute perfectly. The judges had to take 10 minutes to
discuss the situation but finally agreed on that decision. Too bad
for this amazing kid who will be definetly on top of the podiums in
the future. Also missing the qualification was Andri Ambuehl, who
wasnʼt clean enough to make it to the next round.
3rd round : With only 9 riders still in the game, solid riding was
required to have a chance to go through. Cyril Hunziker landed a
strong cab9 scoring just enough to qualify and so did Paddy with
a crazy switch dub9. Meanwhile, Jonas Hunziker showed he had
some serious bag of tricks with a switch bio10 mute who gave
him the top score of the round. At the same time, Simon Ericson
and Evan Williams (USA) had to accept the evil judgement and
were eradicated.
4th round : The legs of steel of Paddy Graham werenʼt solid
enough in this 4th round and he had trouble landing his switch
doublecork10. Laurent DeMartin who was a good bet until there,
crashed on his switch10 tail. Style machines Alex Neurohr and
Laurent Favre finished 3rd and 4th of this lap showing a smart
strategy and landing some safe tricks : cork5 reverse tail for Alex
and switch cork5 shifty nose for Laurent. Earning the best score
was again Jonas Hunziker with an insane doublecork10 double
mute.
5th round : 5 riders were still on course at that moment : Jonas
Hunziker, Cyril Hunziker, Laurent Favre, Halvard Thon and Alex
Neurohr. To illustrate how serious the competition became at this
moment, Cyril who landed a perfect cab10 double mute couldnʼt
reach the final. Alex also had to join the eliminated riders with his
cork9 double nose. Jonas once again took the first spot with the
best trick of the day : a flawless doublecork1260 double mute.
Halvard Thon joined the final with a signature switch10 mute and
Laurent grabbed the last entry spot with a creative switch7
seamen screamin to reverse tail.
Final round : Only 3 riders still in the game. At that moment, it
was impossible to know who would be strong enough to land one
last solid run. The 3 last survivors had two runs in this final round
to show their best trick. Laurent Favre choosed to please the
crowd by hitting the spine to landing with a huge switch5. Halvard
Thon went bigger than ever on his switch cork10 tail, but none of
those two were able to take down the dayʼs fittest rider Jonas
Hunziker. The swiss kid claimed first place with again a massive
doublecork10 double mute earning 95 points over 100 possible.
Laurent and Halvard stepped up their game with their final run
but they had to lean in front of the new king Hunziker.
After this epic fight, Jonas Hunziker climbed on the podium and
enjoyed one of the happiest moment of his young carreer, taking
home 3000 US dollars cash.
The battle type definetly pleased the crowd and the riders all day
long, showing a serious alternative to classic contests.
Final Results :
1. Jonas Hunziker (CH)
2. Halvard Thon (NOR)
3. Laurent Favre (FR)
4. Cyril Hunziker (CH)
5. Alex Neurohr (CH)
6. Paddy Graham (CH)
7. Laurent DeMartin (CH)
8. Simon Ericson (SWE)
9. Evan Williams (USA)
10. Kai Mahler (CH)
11. Andri Ambuehl (CH)
12. Sami Ortlieb (CH)
13. Max Hill (USA)
14. Harry Pettit (NZ)
15. Ian Compton (USA)

The final day of competition for the Survival Of The Fittest Competition came down to 3 riders from the 15 selected to compete.  Jonas Hunziker was victorious by throwing some huge doubles on his last few runs to run away with the competition.  We had a great time over here in Crans-Montana, Switzerland with one of the craziest big air jumps ever constructed and riders throwing banger tricks flawlessly on the booter.

Jonas Hunziker Sponsors:

Nodrica Skis,
Salomon Apparel,
Scott Goggles and Protection,
d7sports.com,
Edelstone,
Pfiffner

It was another amazing day up here at the Survival of the Fittest competition in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.  It started with 15 snowboarders and was weeded away to the Champion Alessandro Boyens from Switzerland.

BIO:

Local Mountain: Saas Fee /Switzerland
Favorite board and why: SL 158 is the perfect match up for all terrain. High speed park jumps…pipes and robot landings in the pow.
Favorite riding spot: Saas Fee…Bella Coola…Methven NZ
Sponsors: Never Summer, Rockstar Energy Drink, Von Zipper, Northwave/Bakoda, Rockwell Watches, Atreebutes Fashion, Chanex Outerwear, Kustom Shoes, Anuell, Snowlife, Saas Fee, Popcorn Boardshop.
Thanks to: everybody who loves life and shares the passion of riding
Words of wisdom: Be intelligent and happy J