Freestyle.ch 2008 Results - 46,000 visitors filled Zurich’s Landiwiese over the course of the three-day event, witnessing the crowning of snowboarder Stefan Gimpl, freeskier Jacob Wester, FMX pilot Thomas Pagès and skateboarder Sandro Dias as this year’s
Freestyle.ch 2008 Results
46,000 visitors filled Zurich’s Landiwiese over the course of the three-day event, witnessing the crowning of snowboarder Stefan Gimpl, freeskier Jacob Wester, FMX pilot Thomas Pagès and skateboarder Sandro Dias as this year’s «freestyle.champs»
Zurich, Switzerland - Over the course of the past three days, 46,000 visitors were privy to world-class athletes, first-class contests, electrifying concerts from Duality of Mind, Goldfinger and Breitbild, a great atmosphere and perfect weather at Zurich’s Landiwiese. «I didn’t think anything could beat last year’s event, but I was wrong. freestyle.ch 2008 has exceeded everything that has ever come before it. We’ve really reached higher ground – both terms of the sports and the atmosphere. The expansion of both the infrastructure as well as the program for Friday and Saturday has obviously paid off», said OK President, Erwin Flury, following the Super Finals.
«freestyle.champ» are crowned
Today finalists in snowboarding, freeskiing, FMX biking and skateboarding let their creative juices flow as they whipped out every trick in the book in the final cuts at Sunday’s Finals. The best four riders in each category then went on to battle it out in the Super Final, as they performed two additional jumps or runs in a race to win themselves the «freestyle.champ» title. For the first time ever, the Super Finals in all four disciplines were subsequently consecutively shown, providing for a smashing Finale that was broadcast live on the Swiss television network, SF2.
The skateboarders opened the event’s final day of contests. The newly crowned «crossover.champ» Sandro Dias (BRA), Australian Renton Millar, American Neal Hendrix and Brazilian Rodrigo Menezes really got down to business as they went head to head in a race to win themselves a spot in the Super Final. Dias and Millar delivered an awesome duel. But in spite of Millar’s excellent first run displaying technical lip tricks, Dias soared past him in the second run with an array of masterly tricks like a 540° Body Jar, placing himself in front of Millar, Menezes and Hendrik, to win the «freestyle.champ» title. «I don’t think I could have found so much power in the second run if it weren’t for the enormous crowd of spectators. I love Zurich’s audiences and will definitely be back for more next year», said Dias following the contest.
The Swiss snowboarders, who included Reto Kestenholz and Markus Keller, managed to hit a bad day, and did not make the cut. However, Hampus Mosesson (SWE), Peetu Piiroinen (FIN), Scotty Lago (USA) and Stefan Gimpl (AUT) secured themselves a spot in the Super Final. The Austrian Stefan Gimpl performed a Frontside 1080 Mute Grab, grabbing himself the «freestyle.champ» title, coming in ahead of Hampus Mosesson (SWE), who executed a Backside 9 Mute to Shifty. «I am super stoked that I won an event in front of so many people and up against such world class riders,» said the newly crowned «freestyle.champ».
Lords of the Freestyle Arena
At the «Ultimate Crossover Session» – a contest which perfectly embodies the freestyle spirit – the Landiwiese was overflowing with spectators. In the crossover show contest, audiences really drove the riders to soaring heights with their enthusiasm. All four disciplines were represented at the Super Finals: the snowboarders by «freestyle.champ 07» Stephan Maurer, free skiers by «crossover.champ 07» Simon Dumont, FMXers by three-time «freestyle.champ 07» Mat Rebeaud and skateboarders by «freestyle.champ 06» and «crossover.champ 06» Sandro Dias. In the end, audiences went with Sandro Dias – the Brazilian high flyer who performed magic with his Judo 540° in the Half Pipe, securing the «crossover.champ» title for the skateboarders for a second time.
Those who missed freestyle.ch 2008 or just wanting to take it all in again, can tune into the freestyle.ch 2008 highlights on Sunday, October 4, on SF 2 television network. Or check out diverse clips as well as a gallery of photos online at freestyle.ch.
