With clear blue skies, a perfectly prepared slopestyle, and an excellent riding level, the Austrian Freeski Open by Atomic celebrated their 10th birthday this Saturday. Reigning champion Andreas Hatveit (NOR) defended his title, while Gus Kenworthy (USA) took second and Øystein Bråten (NOR) got third. Toni Höllwarth (AUT) became Austrian Champ.

Overall, more than 200 riders from 16 nations took part in the Austrian Freeski Open by Atomic 2012. 15 riders qualified for the semi finals, where they met the 15 seeded pros. From there, the top 10 athletes battled it out in the finals. At the Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark, they showed their skills on a slopestyle with six features including a down rail, gap hip, barrel rail, and two 20-metre kickers.

Thanks to the perfect conditions, the riders impressed the crowd with top- notch performances. Last year’s winner Andreas Hatveit from Norway showed precise, clean moves including a Double Cork 1260 and Switch Leftside 1260 and said after the prize-giving: “I’m so happy about this victory. Though I had hoped for a place on the podium, I didn’t expect to win here. The park was awesome, especially the kickers. And with weather like this, it’s even more fun for sure.”
Gus Kenworthy (USA) took second place with a Switch Leftside Double Rodeo 1080 Japan and Switch Rightside Double Rodeo Japan. Øystein Bråten (NOR) got third, showing a Switch Leftside Double Rodeo 900 Safety and a Leftside Cork 1080 Blunt Grab.

Organiser Martin “McFly” Winkler was very happy with the event: “Today, all elements that make a good event came together. The tricks we saw today were at the highest possible level. This edition was definitely the greatest in ten years of the Austrian Freeski Open.”

Scandinavians win the rookies’ and women’s contests
Affected by bad weather, the Austrian Freeski Open had kicked off on Thursday. Due to snowfall and wind, the women’s and rookies’ contests were held on the abbreviated medium line of the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn. In the rookies, Markus Fohr (FIN) won while Eetu Rintama (FIN) took second and Tyler Harding (GBR) got third. Daniel Walchhofer (AUT) who finished in 4th place became Austrian Rookie Champ 2012. “I was really nervous during the contest and hadn’t expected to win here at all. I enjoyed the contest very much. The weather didn’t bother me,” Rookies winner Markus Fohr said.

In the women’s, Nina Rusten Andersen (NOR) took the win. Linn-Ida Murud (NOR) got second, and Sabrina Cakmakli (GER) finished in third place. Nina Rusten Andersen was stoked about her win, saying: “Wow, I’m so surprised I won here. I had so much fun and there were so many strong competitors, I’m so happy.”

For further information, pictures and clips, please visit www.austrianfreeskiopen.com.

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RESULTS

Men
1) Andreas Hatveit (NOR)
2) Gus Kenworthy (USA)
3) Øystein Bråten (NOR)
4) Jonas Hunziker (SUI)
5) Roy Kittler (GER)
6) Joss Christensen (USA)
7) James Woods (GBR)
8) Felix Stridsberg-Usterud (NOR)
9) Jesper Tjäer (SWE)
10) Elias Ambühl (SUI)

Women
1) Nina Rusten Andersen (NOR)
2) Linn-Ida Murud (NOR)
3) Sabrina Cakmakli (GER)
4) Isabelle Hansen (NED)
5) Isabel Salzmann (AUT)

Rookies
1) Markus Fohr (FIN)
2) Eetu Rintama (FIN)
3) Tyler Harding (GBR)
4) Daniel Walchhofer (AUT)
5) Jakob Kratzer (AUT)