Saas-Fee, Switzerland – Although there are two FIS Snowboard World Cup stops in October, a PSL indoors at Landgraaf, The Netherlands and the other a Big Air on a giant ramp in London, the first true mountain World Cup stop, and the launch of the Halfpipe season will take place Nov. 3-4 in the Swiss ski resort of Saas-Fee.nSnowboard pros from all over the world will gather for the 7th FIS Snowboard World Cup in Saas-Fee. Riders will have some extra motivation this season, as the
competition is also an opportunity to notch up valuable points for the 9th FIS Snowboarding World Championships to be held this January in La Molina, Spain.
Top riders will show off their skill in the Freestyle Park Allalin’s halfpipe at 3,300 meters altitude. But it’s not only the FIS Snowboard World Cup that will be drawing athletes to the glacier village. The FIS Snowboard European Cup, which takes place a week earlier, is also a welcome opportunity for participants to size up the competition. Both events regularly attract a large number of contestants to Saas-Fee at the beginning of each season. This year the organizers once again are expecting over 100 participants for the World Cup and around 150 for the European Cup.
A unique attraction during the competitions at Saas-Fee is the double halfpipe staged since 2007. In addition to the World Cup pipe, the Saas Valley also has a world-class training pipe right next to it, where the public can watch athletes can hone their skills. Where else can you ride a pipe side by side with a participant in a World Cup?
For the first time in Saas-Fee, this season the European Cup and World Cup athletes will ride an official Olympic sized 22-foot halfpipe, more than a meter higher than in previous years. Also new this year, a double-up format is likely to be used for judging with scoring procedures including the height of the jumps, the level of difficulty, the landing as well as the overall impression of the heat.
The official World Cup training will be held Nov. 1-2. Qualifications will then commence on Wednesday, Nov. 3, before moving onto the Finals on Thursday, Nov. 4. And just in case, Friday, Nov. 5, is reserved as a back-up day.
As in past years, Roxy and Quiksilver will stage side events to coincide with the competition. Movie nights, DJ rotations (with Fredy K), fashion shows and much more will fill the schedule for six to seven party nights at the Livingroom or in the Popcorn bar.