85 riders from 20 nations landed in Ischgl, Austria, for the most awaited youth snowboard event of the season: the 2013 Volkl World Rookie Finals. The event started with a sunny training day in a perfectly shaped Ischgl snowpark consisting of 3 big table top with kickers, a huge hip and a final multi-rail obstacle. A big surprise was announced during the first day of the event: the winner will be awarded with a wildcard to the first Air & Style event of the next winter season.
All the riders had a great first day on the mountain, with perfect snowpark and weather conditions, showcasing a high level of riding already during the trainings. According to the World Rookie Tour philosophy, the event program included a bunch of life style activities in order to create social and education moments where riders can live unique experiences. The afternoon program of the first day also included a Kopfarbeit Workshop with mental handicap people from local organization “Lebenshilfe Tirol” and the Gummi Love Workshop about sexual education for the rookies only (not for groms!). Among the many other side activities of the upcoming days there will be an introduction to the “History of Snowboarding” by Bob Klein from USA, and a Workshop with “Viva con Agua”, a charitable organization based in St. Pauli, Hamburg (Germany), campaigning for clean drinking water worldwide.
For any naysayers out there that may question the future of snowboarding, they need look no further than this video to realize the future is in good hands. With riders like the Mindnich brothers, Ben Ferguson, Tyler Flanagan, and the Lick The Cat crew putting on a virtual clinic of crazy grabs for the assembled kids at Bear things were wild.
The world’s best snowboarders under the age of 21 have gathered at Bear Mountain for Snowboarder Magazine’s The Launch presented by Volcom, Red Bull, Giro, and Bear Mountain. Here is the action from Day 2.