11th of March 2003

SkierCross [Winter X-Games Qualifier]

Norse freeskier dominates:

"It's all about the start!"

So said Norwegian, Frederik Lutkyis, as he powered his way to victory and a place in the Winter X-Games 2004 in the Verbier Ride 2003 SkierCross. The Dynastar-sponsored skier was invincible in every round. Although the final was a fiercely contested race with only a few metres separating all four finalists Lutkyis was never headed. His euphoric scream as he rode through the finish, arms aloft, showed just how pumped up he was.

Lutkyis, an ex-alpine racer, only returned to full-time skiing this season, but already has had a big impact. On Sunday he was 9th after the first round of the Verbier Ride Big Mountain Freeskiing and finished 13th overall, showing the breadth of his skiing talent. But today it was all about that Winter X-Games place. And, once he had his eyes fixed on that prize, there was nobody else in it. Was he pleased? Well, after some 10 minutes calming down after the elation of victory, Frederik told the camera "this is the biggest moment of my skiing life!"

Best course shaper on the circuit? ... ... ...Voudroz legend continues:
Credit for the quality of racing, must go to Nicolas Voudroz. 10 days ago, there was a public FunCross course snaking down the side of the La Chaux terrain park.

This morning, the riders were greeted by one of the most intimidating, yet smooth-running SkierCross courses ever seen and certainly the most spectacular. The jumps were huge, the turns were sharp and it was fast, fast, fast. Though he shunned the attention of the crowd after, Voudroz was cheered by all at the prize-giving for both his extreme hard work and the magic of his creativity. His modest response to all this: "that the riders enjoyed the course is enough for me!"

Francine Moreillon, World Skiercross Tour champion two years ago, summed up general opinion: "I've skied on two skiercross courses shaped by Nicolas and they are always really technical, but lots of fun. I think this is because there is a lot of snowboard inspiration in his designs. Today's course was great - all the racers had a smile on their face as they crossed the line and that is what skiercross is all about."

Voudroz's ability to create, from what appears to be nothing, some of the best skiercross courses in existence in such a short period of time is nothing short of miraculous. Event Director, Warren Smith, has been trying to bring a world-class SkierCross course to Verbier for the last 3 years. In 2003, with Voudroz at the helm, he has achieved this. As competitor, Per Mundhjeld (Volkl), commented, "the course was perfect".

Later start brings out best in course:

The course may have been perfect, but this morning the crowd didn't look quite so good. From the evidence, it looked like the legendary Pool Party at the Centre Sportif had taken its toll. Stories abounded, but perhaps this might have explained why it took a bit longer than expected for the crew to get the competition underway this morning.

The delay in proceedings actually worked to the event's advantage. The course was running so fast in the morning that the jumps had to be shaved down a little for the safety of the riders. There was also an extra hold put on the start, while leading riders suggested those subtle, but important changes in gate position, etc. that do so much to improve the racing, but can only be identified after running the course a few times.

The upside of all this was that by the time of the one o'clock start the snow had warmed up, taking the edge off the pace and letting the riders really push it. And push it they did. A few fell along the way, but most hurtled through the finish in the time trials, fighting for a place in the final 16.

In the women's race, a triple fall off a huge early kicker left the race wide open. In the end it was Head rider, Martina Rentschler, who triumphed.

In the men's hard-fought final, Lutkyis was followed home by another Head skier, David Fiegel. Sliding in just behind Fiegel, Patrice Manuel, a member of the Atomic Freeride Team, finished 3rd.

In the end ...
... ... a spectacular event. There was some very powerful and impressive riding from some of Europe's best skiercross exponents, led all the way by an exciting new skiing prospect in Norway's Lutkyis.

But the hero of the day must be Nicolas Voudroz. The master-shaper delivered. The course was truly worthy of an X-Games Qualifier and finally proof that Verbier really can provide a world-class SkierCross venue.

No doubt the Verbier Ride 2003 SkierCross will mark the first of many world-class events on the La Chaux course (beginning perhaps with the Verbier Ride 2004).

[Tommorrow, Verbier Ride Slopestyle Jam Session - riders will be throwing down from 11:00 in the La Chaux terrain park]

© Phil Martin Writer, Freeskier, Wintersports Media Consultant email: philmartin@skijournalism.com mob: +41 79 450 9683 Phil Martin recommends:
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