Designing a Skier Cross is not only a creative and artistic vocation, it has also to be functional. This year the course was designed and shaped by Téléverbier's Alex Zillio, describing his work of art as following:

"Right after the start we've a slightly lifted up turn to the right, then there's a 10 to 12 meter gap, another two turns left and right, coming to a step-up kicker and a second kicker straight behind, another two turns left and right, another step-down kicker, a table and here we are crossing the finish line!"

The four finalists where French time trail winner Christian Crétier from Les Arcs, qualification's second ranked

Simon Bastelia also from France, Tommy Eliasson from Sweden and Japanese Big Mountain specialist Daisuke Sasaki.

"Riders ready, five seconds warning,......go!!!"

That was the start commando and Crétier continued his winning track getting first out of the starting gate, followed by compatriot Bastelia, Eliasson on third position and Sasaki in fourth. The speed was on, Eliasson was close behind Bastelia, waiting for a clever opportunity to overtake. Bastelia himself tried to find way around Crétier, came closer and - hit him, crashed and Cretier lost speed through this impact. Eliasson took advantage and got into the leading position crossing the finish line!

That was the start commando and Crétier continued his winning track getting first out of the starting gate, followed by compatriot Bastelia, Eliasson on third position and Sasaki in fourth. The speed was on, Eliasson was close behind Bastelia, waiting for a clever opportunity to overtake. Bastelia himself tried to find way around Crétier, came closer and - hit him, crashed and Cretier lost speed through this impact. Eliasson took advantage and got into the leading position crossing the finish line!

French Christian Crétier from Les Arcs won not only the time trials but also all his heats up to the finals.

"I'm disappointed, as I came here to qualify for the X-Games. Everything started well for me today, and of course a second place is great, but - not what I was looking for."

This shows once again that from winning isolated time trials there's still a way to go to push your long way though the finals, with 3 others in the course.

The Skier Cross combines parts of Big Mountain and Slope Style in one: It has the air you might find in the Slope Style and the dynamic you might find in the Big Mountain . There's more than just one Big Mountain skier competing in Skier Cross, or the opposite. Watch out for Cory Zilo, Enak Gavaggio, Daisuke Sasaki, etc.!

What the difference is?

"General specific skills for a Skier Cross are controlling the line around a bank turn- the bank puts a lot of pressure against the skis and you have to be very skilful to stand and carve on the edge. Also going into the airs you have to hold a dynamic position when you take off in the air, not allow the body to pull backwards, keeping balance. Some riders who take off in the air the arms come out and the body rotates backwards and it slows them down on their landing. The fastest riders are holding a very dynamic form as they are travelling through the air," comments coach and Verbier Ride organiser Warren Smith.

For tomorrow, the weather forecast is very positive and the beautiful Verbier Ride 05 Slope Style in La Chaux is already waiting under the stars for its stars....!