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10th of March 2003
Big Mountain Freeskiing Final
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Today it went off. Sky was blue, sun was shining; Mont Gele was looking daunting; the crowds were catching rays around the North Face Ice Bar; AND the riders were ripping.
With conditions still very tough, the start was pushed back to 13:00, at the rider's request, to let the snow soften up.
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To get the crowd in the mood, 4 of Verbier's most extreme locals put on a show-stopping routine. Leaping from a helicopter 2000 feet above Mont Gele, the base-jumpers had those watching gasping with shock as they plummeted towards the ice bar. Flying legend, Yann Braun stole the show by opening his chute under 200 feet above the ground. The adrenaline rush had the crowd buzzing.
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Steffi Franck (Germany) then got the skiing show well and truly on the road with a strong and committed opening run. Rounding off her technical line by stomping a big cliff drop, Steffi got the crowd back on their feet, as she skied into first place for the day.
But would it be enough to take the title? All depended on Marte Lise Karlsen (Norway). Her line choice was good - high-scoring and demanding. But fatigue and the conditions got to her. A double fall made her job harder. As she rode through the finish, it was going to be close.
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In the end Marte Lise just did enough, scoring 57.5 to Steffi's 55.9. She walked off with the 1st place and the title of Verbier Ride 2003 Big Mountain Freeskiing women's champion.
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With the helicopter back in the air, it was time to bring on the 16 guys who made the cut for the final. Running in reverse order, yesterday's 14th-placed rider, Karsten Gelfe (Sweden) laid down the second highest scoring run of the day. He 'billy-goated' down a line containing exposed cliff drop after exposed cliff drop, but kept his run fluid and under great control. Gelfe's score dragged him all the way up to 4th overall.
Per Mundhjeld (Sweden) held onto his 3rd place from the day before with a safe, but strong and flowing performance.
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First equal after the first run, the real question was who out of Thomas Diet and Romaine Raisson would hold their nerve and ski off with the title. In the end it came down to a percentages. Even after fantastic starts, Thomas Diet had failed to finish in all of his previous events this season. Needing to ensure a solid result, Diet opted for a (relatively) easy line. He skied it fast and fluidly, ending up 3rd for the day, but doing enough to secure 2rd overall and a podium place.
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That left Romaine Raisson to take the victory. And take it he did. His run today was a breathtaking combination of technical exposure, huge cliff drops and super-fast riding, as he ripped his way to top score for the day (43.3), a well-deserved first place overall.
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As event organiser, Warren Smith commented after the event:"The Verbier Ride Big Mountain event has been a resounding success. With great help from event sponsors Dainese, Ortovox, North Face and Snow + Rock, and resort partners Televerbier and Verbier Tourism, we have managed to stage a truly world-class freeski competition and round off the inaugural 2003 IFSA European Freeskiing Tour in style.
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On a personal note, I'd like to say how proud I am off Jason Schutt today. His 6th place in this elite international field is one of the best freeski results ever by a British skier."
[Tuesday, 11th March will see the Winter 2004 X-Games Qualifier SkierCross above the La Chaux terrain park.]
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© Phil Martin
Writer, Freeskier, Wintersports Media Consultant
email: philmartin@skijournalism.com
mob: +41 79 450 9683
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