Kona MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

Friday saw the first winners crowned at the Kona MTB Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.ROOKIES, with some 30 young riders competing in the Pumptrack Challenge. Victory in the respective age groups went to Atis Scerbinins (U13), his sister Paula Zibasa (Damen-Wertung), Elias Freidinger (U15), Bennet Newkirk (U17) and Till Eißler (U19). Downhillers and slopestylers were also in action, making good use of the day for their first training runs. Both girl and boy riders managed some incredible feats, with the promise of spectacular racing to come this weekend.

We proudly present the winners of the first Rookies Pumptrack Challenge (U13 category)

Fiercely contested Pumptrack Challenge

The first event at the Kona MTB Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.ROOKIES took place on Friday evening, at the pumptrack at the foot of the bike park. The circuit with its two parallel lines offered spectators loads of action as well as fun-packed runs for riders. The race was very close from the outset, with the heats also fiercely contested, all adding to the atmosphere. The final saw victory going to the fastest siblings on bikes Atis Scerbinins (U13) and his sister Paula Zibasa (women). The Austiran Elias Freidinger won the U17 and the US-rider Bennet Newkirk. The U19-men were dominated by the German Till Eißler.

14 years old Paula Zibasa on her winning run

Relaxed atmosphere at the Rookies Pumptrack Challenge

The young gun Atis Scerbinins! Only eight years old - he is fast, he is sweet and he was winning his first pumptrack race!

Training day for downhillers and slopestylers

During the day downhillers and slopestylers got to grips with the trails. World Cup Junior Andrew Dorrit of the MS Mondraker team, appearing this Sunday in the starting line-up as a licensed rider in the Austria Downhill Juniors Cup, is wowed by the new downhill track: “This trail is just brilliant fun, much better than anything we’ve got in the UK. It’s steep and technical – I love it.” Till Ulmschneider of the MRC Young Guns Racing Team is also impressed by the downhill course at Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, fancying his chances for the iXS International Rookies Championship on Sunday. He’s also competing with his Dad in the Father & Son Challenge. Paula Zibasa, Austria’s Latvian-born latest young hope, will be testing her skills on Saturday against a total of 42 lads in her age group in the U15 category of the iXS Rookies Downhill Cup. “It won’t be easy, but training today was great. I managed all the jumps and my Dad, who’s my mechanic, makes sure that my bike is in perfect condition.” Paula and her Dad will also be there for the Father & Daughter Challenge this Sunday. Germany’s Felix Krüger, who will be racing this Saturday in the U15 category of the iXS Rookies Downhill Cup final to determine the overall winner, says: “Currently I'm number three. Training went really well, even though all the riders have altered the route a bit, but it’s fine by me.”

First training on the brand new downhill track

Airtime - Andrew Dorrit (MS Mondraker Team)

Saturday: decision day for slopestylers and downhillers

Saturday at the Kona MTB Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.ROOKIES sees the first deciders for the downhill and slopestyle disciplines. As well as the final of the iXS Rookies Downhill Cup, the programme includes the final of the O’Neal Slopestyle, rated an FMB Bronze Event.

Slopestyle meets perfect landscape in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis


Peter Kaiser (17 years) goes big at the first O´Neal Rookies Slopestyle

Further infos on www.bikepark-sfl.at and onfacebook.

Fotos by Felix Schüller

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Racing and Events Kona