Plenty of tension and atmosphere here at the spot at Lautaret today. Not surprising with the finals of all disciplines in prospect : men's board and skis, women and juniors.
The riders rode clean and with enormous diversity and range of moves and tricks. The perfect ingredients for the competitors to sort out those important podium positions.
The board semi-finals were between Guillaume Chastagnol (reigning champion) and Remi Meum, followed by Romain Fabretti against Sigve Botnen. Chasta, as the appreciative crowd quickly recognised, turned the power on from the start. He linked doubles, grabs, handle passes and railies and seemed perfectly at ease. Fabretti has fantastic range of tricks, launching into his jumps then reeling of diverse and varied moves. These two fought it out head to head in a great final, from which it was once again Chastagnol who came out the winner.
Karri-Ann Tragethon, riding against the reigning women's champion Agnes Fontenay, took a deserved victory. She'd impressed the judges with how she used the terrain, with her committed jumping style, clean landings and impressive height.
And let's not forget the equally impressive ski and junior finals. In the first case, Kaupang ripped the title away from master kiteskier Fabio Ingrosso with an amazing double back loop kite loop. That's not to say the Norwegian had an easy ride, both riders impressed enormously with their technicality, power and presence on the field.
To round the day off, the juniors Bubmann and Bankes put on a great performance for the judges. It took just one spectacular handle pass for Bubmann to claim the top step of the podium.
Nothing's ever guaranteed in snowkiting, but today we were fortunate to witness great riders riding to the very best of their ability.
Tussenstand na de 1e ronde:
Snowboard:
1. Guillaume Chastagnol
2. Romain Fabretti
Ski's
1. Kaupang
2. Fabio Ingrosso
Dames:
1. Karri-Ann Tragethon
2. Agnes Fontenay
Juniors:
1. Sebastian Bubmann
2. Bankes
