Once again this season, the OPEN FACES Freeride Contests took place last Saturday on the Wiedersbergerhorn in Alpbachtal. The beginners' competition, which is so important for the scene, took place last weekend and once again showed how high the level of the most popular 1* contest of the season already is. In the 2* FWT Junior competition, the juniors once again showed with exceptional performances that the future of freeriding is definitely secured.

The 1* qualifier competition in the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau gave participants the opportunity to gain their first experience and points in the contest. The juniors also had the chance to score important points in a 2* contest. Anyone who thinks that it would be less spectacular here is very much mistaken. The riders not only amazed the spectators, but also the judges with their courageous runs and creative line choices.

Diverse terrain, large international field of riders
With 80 riders from 13 nations, it was clear how popular the contest in Alpbachtal is in the freeride community. Thanks to the large number of starters, the judges were offered varied and creative lines, which was mainly made possible by the diverse terrain in combination with the specially constructed kickers. The face on the Wiedersbergerhorn presented itself on Saturday morning with powdery snow in the upper area. This was particularly enjoyed by the juniors, who opened the contest day and thus found perfect conditions. Over the course of the day, co-commentator Flo Örley was expecting almost "slushy spring conditions" due to the sunshine.

Juniors started with impressive performances
After Nico Partell, who opened the day as the forerunner, the next generation of freeriders showed off in impressive style and found their way around the natural and artificial obstacles. In the upper area, the terrain offered cornices and small rocks, which were used for all kinds of jumps, but also for creative line choices. The participants in the junior categories performed numerous spins around their own axis on the specially constructed kickers in the lower section, although no overhead rotations were permitted here for safety reasons.

Jana Häusl was once again able to show her strength as the reigning world champion in the U18 Ski Women category, impressing with a lot of speed and a 360 and proving with her solid line that she had inspected the face well in advance. Tabea Tropp was therefore unable to repeat her previous year's victory, but took second place with her line choice in almost untracked terrain. Leni Eller (GER) secured third place with straight-air jumps and quick turns.

Ylvie Heregger (AUT) was the only one in the U18 Snowboard Woman category to complete her second contest after switching from skis to snowboard just 13 months ago.

In the U18 snowboard men's category, the three starters fought it out among themselves for the podium places. Austrian Raphael Larch had some uncertainties in the upper section, but was then able to score points with a stylish kicker jump with tail grab and took third place. Niklas Frauenstein (GER), who already has a lot of contest experience despite his young age and put in a solid run, finished ahead of him. With a lead of over 10 points, Louis Hodgetts (GBR) showed style and creativity, even performing a so-called "butter trick" between the obstacles and cruising to victory.

Numerous 360° spins were on show in the U18 men's ski event. The winner Austin Pickett (USA) showed probably the longest 360 over the lower kicker and impressed overall with a smooth run and plenty of airtime. Mika Rolshoven (AUT) proved his skills when he also produced a solid 360 on the second kicker, which was so difficult due to the jump. Only 1 point behind him was his compatriot Nico Traxl, who scored from top to bottom with speed and aplomb.

The U16 Ski Men category was also held as a separate classification. Toma Trandafir (ROU) increased his points score with a windslip slide, brisk speed, two consecutive 360s and a "spread eagle" jump shortly before the finish. Jem Müller (AUT) landed on the podium again after his victory in Silvretta / Montafon and showed a lot of control in the air with a total of four 360° turns. Matthias Narr (AUT) from the Freerideacademy Innsbruck team incorporated both natural and specially built obstacles into his run to secure 3rd place.

"Spins & flips" in the adult categories caused a sensation
Federico De Michiel (ITA) was the clear winner in the men's ski category with a score of 90 points. The Italian put 3 backflips into his run and clearly set himself apart. Jonas Reuter (GER), who already competed in Alpbachtal last year, showed a creative double hit with a shifty and a backflip, which secured him second place. "Full speed to the finish" was how Örley summarized the run of Mortzi Hlous, who finished in 3rd place.

Last year's Ski Women winner and "local hero" Vicky Candlin was unable to take part due to injury, but supported her colleagues on site. Mona Falkner, who originally comes from the alpine area but also proved her freestyle strengths, ensured another Austrian victory this year. It was also the first contest for second-placed Sophie von der Linden (GER), who already looked very experienced despite her lack of contest experience. Harriet Lucas from Great Britain proved how well she knew the terrain around the Wiedersbergerhorn after working here and starting the race as a "local".

After his fourth place in Kappl, Philipp Lanjus (AUT) climbed the podium this weekend. He took third place in the men's snowboard category and, as a trained "mountain guide", demonstrated his eye for a smart line choice. Rosen Stratkov (BUL) scored ahead of him with a varied run. However, the day's victory went to the Australian Vaughn Hardwick, who was the first starter in the category to stay in first place from the start and could no longer be beaten.

Mia Grempel (GER) opened the qualifier competition after the juniors and impressed the judges with a controlled run in the snowboard women's category. Second place went to Italy's Jennifer Gregori, who was the last starter in the women's snowboard category and finished on the podium with plenty of airtime. Bulgaria's Iliana Mihovska secured 3rd place despite a short fall.

Exuberant atmosphere in the public area at the Wiedersbergalm
With live drone footage on the large LED screen, fans and spectators had the chance to follow their favorites' runs up close and give them a fitting finish. The atmosphere was great once again and transformed the freeride competition in the Alptbachtal into a unique event.

The 1* event in Alpbachtal / Skijuwel Wildschönau is and remains the "greatest" beginners' event of the entire tour, which is appreciated not only by the riders on site, but also by the numerous viewers of the livestream at home.