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Grant Fielder wins
Kona White Style in Leogang |
Last weekend the skiers in Leogang were surprised. A 200m long swath with big hills of snow and a digger embedded in a wooden structure isn't what they are accustomed to seeing next to the run at the Schantei Lift in the city centre of Leogang. When the first riders started coming down the course all became clear. Twenty riders from five different countries equipped their bikes with spiked tires to battle for glory and honour and 3,000 euros of prize money. Each one hoping to be crowned the king of snow.
There were some weather concerns but training began on Friday as planned. As
the riders got comfortable became obvious that they would be able to throw their
best stuff on the snow.
After the first training session on Saturday morning things got serious. The
riders had to do three runs in qualifying. Due to the wind, not all of the obstacles
could be ridden so the focus turned to the lower part of the course which was
shaped before the event by Grant Fielder and the Leo-Gangster (aka HU-Cooperation).
After an exciting qualifying on Saturday afternoon twelve riders made it to
the final.
Around 8pm all of Leogang gathered alongside the illuminated slopestyle course.
Nobody wanted to miss the Kona White Style.
Around 8.30pm the first rider dropped in to the course which boasted a drop,
an 8 meter step down gap, a step-up-step-down-northshore feature and a final
step-up gap. The step-down gap was a big challenge for many of the invited pros.
It became that any rider who could perform well there would reach the podium.
The battle between Grant Fielder (UK) and Andreu Lacondeguy (ESP) was very exciting.
The 18-year old Spaniard set the bar high. He threw a backflip over the first
8 meter gap followed by a no-hander off the step-down drop and a no-hand backflip
over the last gap.
But with a suicide over the first gap, a tailwhip drop off the step down and
a superman Indian-air Grant Fielder swayed the judges and took the win.
The Kona White Style kept the mountain bike fires burning in the dead of winter.
Riders and spectators alike were stoked on the contest. Andreu Lacondeguy -
“We don’t have really snow in Spain; therefore it’s my first
contest on white surface. It is so much fun and I will definitely be here next
year.”
Taulan Dernbach
The reckless mood at the after-party at the Kralleralm. As expected in Leogang
the party lasted till early in the morning.
To have a look at the training session on Friday, please check konaeurope.com/whiteStylefriday.htm.
More videos of the qualifying and the finals will be on soon. Check out the
Kona Web site in the coming days.
Results:
1. Grant Fielder (UK)
2. Andreu Lacondeguy (ESP)
3. Chris Smith (UK)
4. Jan Stötzer (GER)
5. Andi Wittmann (GER)
6. Flo Konietzko (GER)
7. Joscha Forstreuter (GER)
8. Rob J (GER)
9. Marius Hoppensack (GER)
10. Michal Marosi (CZE)
