The future of freeride is secure – that was clearly proven by the highly popular entry-level event of the Open Faces Series last Saturday. Just in time for the contest start, the sun appeared, and many motivated participants, including plenty of new faces, seized the opportunity to showcase their skills.

From the first line to the last, it was clear: Whether beginner or advanced, the riders delivered impressive performances that thrilled not only the spectators but also the judges. Especially noteworthy was that even the beginners showed a strong sense of the terrain and didn’t miss any chance to earn valuable points with cliff drops or kicker hits. Some, however, lost points or even risked disqualification by riding outside the allowed area due to the so-called “Zoning.” Despite this, the livestream hosts, Flo Orley and Aline Bock, were often left speechless by the impressive performances – from technically demanding lines to stylish tricks, everything that makes a freeride heart beat faster was on display.

Freeride Sport is Alive and Growing
With the visible enthusiasm of all the riders, one thing is clear: The next generation is here, and they are motivated. This once again demonstrates why the 1* qualifier events are so important. They offer an accessible format, ideal for riders who want to take their first steps in the contest environment and view the entry-level contests as a springboard into the Freeride World Qualifier series. Others participate in a 1* event simply to get a feel for contests, with no pressure or expectations – and often end up falling in love with the sport.

Familiar Faces Top the Junior Podium
The juniors kicked things off, setting a strong example for the adults. In the Ski Men U16 category, one rider that everyone in the scene knows claimed the top spot – Toma Trandafir (ROU) secured his third victory of the young season after Silvretta Montafon and the Youngstars Challenge in Oberstdorf. He made a lasting impression with two big straight-air cliffs at the start and a 360. Second place went to Latvian Jekabs Birznieks, who began his run with a jump over the ridge and added a 360 and a straight-air over the kickers. Third-place finisher Korbinian Werth from Germany is also a familiar name in the freeride junior scene, having earned another podium spot after his performance in the Silvretta Montafon junior event. In the Snowboard Men U18 category, German Mika Schweizer dominated with a solid 20-point lead to claim first place. As a youth athlete in the German Slopestyle and Bigair teams, keep an eye on this name. At just 14 years old, second-place finisher Gabe Hardwick (AUS) already displayed a lot of style and technical skill, and Niklas Frauenstein (GER) rounded out the snowboard podium.

The Ski Women U18 category went to Tabea Tropp from Germany, who lived up to her favorite status with two victories this season and impressed with a controlled run. Behind her were Poppy Freeman (NZL), who already achieved success in the New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour, and Milla Grattan (AUS), who fell early in her run but got back up and continued without hesitation.

Aiden Fitzpatrick (NZL), who trains with the Stefan Häusl Freeride Crew at Arlberg, showed off three 360s and demonstrated not only control on the kickers but also on the terrain. The Ski Men U18 podium was completed by Harry Rowden (AUS) and Mika Rolshoven (GER), who kicked off the contest with bib number 1.

Adults Followed Suit with Impressive Performances
Tessa Knoef (GER) claimed victory in her first freeride contest in the Snowboard Women category, sharing the podium with Alina Brandacher (AUT), who started her run with a Cab 180, and last year’s winner, Mia Grempel (GER), from her home country.

Sebastian Kepplinger (AUT) defended his title in the Snowboard Men category, starting fast and impressing the judges despite a brief moment of uncertainty, landing two 360s. Carl Ziegler (GER), a familiar face on the freeride podium, salvaged second place after a fall in the very steep terrain, impressing with technical jumps, while Austria's Johannes Leitner claimed third. Tereza Novotná (CZE) from the Ski Women category, who first competed in Alpbachtal seven years ago, proved she’s a natural on the face. Jessica Winston Smith (AUS) took second place in her first contest in Europe, and the bronze medalist, local hero Vicky Candlin (AUT), was loudly cheered on by her fan club in the public area, despite a fall.

In the Ski Men category, Jonathan Hauss (AUT) lit up the event with a 360 over the windlip and the Scott kicker, followed by a Cork 7, earning a massive 91 points. Filip Rabanser (ITA) also impressed with a Cork 3 over the top kicker, clean cliffs, and Hannes Mühlböck (AUT) showed off a hand-drag 360 over the ridge, a backflip, and another kicker spin.