Photo Epic: The Battle - Contest Day, Suzuki Nine Knights 2015

Sep 6, 2015 at 6:04
by WhateverPhoto  
The majestic setting of Mottolino Fun mountain in Livigno, Italy. This is where it takes place. The battle of the knights. The weather is freezing. Their weapons are bikes and cameras. Their skills are spectacular. It's a fight, a competition. At the same time it's a gathering between friends and people who are passionate about the sport.

So let's see who won the game.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Soon the sleeping "Il Castello" will be woken by a pack of media and riders.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  The Nine Knights course is a nice piece of trail work.

Blake Samson energetically dropping into the clear air of Mottolino
  Blake Samson energetically dropping into the fresh air of Mottolino.

Like the sessions of the past week the photographers and filmmakers work in the most extraordinary ways. Bikes and riders packed with GoPros. Cameras fixed with tape even on shoes.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  The GoPro Team are creative with their equipment.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Szymon gets instructed by GoPro team member Fischi.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Checking the GoPros after every ride is a necessity. Not only for Adolf and Nicholi.

Unfortunately, some knights couldn't get into the battle because of injury, such as Martin Söderström and Anton Thelander. Their mere presence encouraged their peers to perform the finest tricks. The warm up high jump session became epic. Additionally, great weather conditions motivated the riders. High jump duel between Nicholi and Adolf got everybody stoked. They kept flying till the hight-measuring setup was maxed out by their incredible performance. 4.40m was the last measurable height.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Due to low wind the morning warm up session went smoothly.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Is this truly a contest? With all those people chilling? Yes, that is part of the idea.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Friends Air Time. You could often see Eric Walenta and Tobi Wrobel together up high.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  High jump session with Nicholi...

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  ...and Adolf. It seemed as nothing can stop them. Except the extendability of the high line.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Who wants to pull a bike up the hill again and again? Not these guys!

The riders could choose their battle, to go either for the "full line" or the best "castle section" (drop tower +main jump). German Pete Henke decided to do both and did great, 1st at full line and 3rd at Best Castle Section. Local Diego Caversazi scored a home run. He satisfied the judges with a backflip from the big castle drop and a backflip barspin to tail whip on the big jump. In doing so, he became the king of the castle. With the worlds first cashroll on a DH bike Nicholi Rogatkin landed in second. The usual clean riding of Sam Pilgrim left him in 3rd place only to be beaten by his mate Sam Reynolds.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Rogatkin rolling into the second part of the day.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Looks as if Diego Caversazi loves backflipping. The Italian crowd enjoyed it too.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Speeding down the Main Castle with Blake Samson.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Szymon Godziek does a beautiful flat spin.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Patrick Schweika compliments his fellow countryman Peter Henke after a sick trick.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Every trick seems easy for Sam. So he lines up a nice 360 at the small castle.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Looking perfect throughout the whole course. Sam Reynolds whips next to the Monster half pipe.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Ripping the axe. Knight KC Dean.

After young Adolf Silva made his first double flip on a DH bike he needed to sit down for a minute to realize just what he had done. Obviously he couldn't believe it himself, and looked a bit flushed.

First time someone did cashroll on a dh bike
  First time someone did cashroll on a DH bike. Wow, Nicholi!

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Lots of VIPs here.

At the end, Peter Henke ruled the battle. Even though this was his first competition after his injury. That's a knight!

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Cheers, everybody! Szymon, Bartek and Peter enjoying a well earned beer after the contest.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Best moment in every contest. Spraying pals with champagne.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Emptied bottle. Bikes down.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  As the fans love him he loves his fans. Sam Pilgrim never minds having a fun pic with them.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Gang Pic. Is there someone missing?

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Everyone calms down after a long day.

Nine Knights Contest Battle
  Friends flying together in a relaxed sunset session.

See you next year Suzuki Nine Knights!


MENTIONS: @nineknights / @WhateverPhoto



Author Info:
WhateverPhoto avatar

Member since Aug 22, 2015
1 articles

20 Comments
  • 15 1
 Pinkbike, obviously forgot to mention that this arcticle is brought to us by gopro. still awesome impressions.
  • 14 1
 That's Nicholi Rogatkin rolling into the second part of the day with a visor , not Sam Reynolds.
  • 2 0
 ya, I was trying to figure that out...
  • 1 0
 Yep that's been caught and updated Malcolm.
  • 13 0
 Always such an epic photo event
  • 5 0
 ahahaha NO WAY!! i'm the guy with the green t-shirt taking a selfie with Sam Pilgrim in the 27th picture! Smile
  • 5 0
 Why so few photos of actual riding?
  • 2 0
 Because they used all the memory on different pictures of GoPros.
  • 3 0
 One day, can we have live streaming? Would be sweet, plus more publicity for a sick event that seems to be slightly out of the spotlight.
  • 3 1
 does anyone know why so many riders were on a DH bike ? Practicing for Rampage or what?
  • 2 0
 Just try to use some of the course's obstacles with a HT or slope. Yes, possible, but a bit not enough forgiving.
  • 3 1
 Whaaa? Кто подогнал бутылку с надписью "Крым"?
  • 2 0
 So I heard you like GoPro's, so I got you a GoPro so you can GoPro while you GoBro.
  • 3 0
 Crimea champagne, lol
  • 1 0
 I think Five Ten should develop a new model with GoPro mounts on the shoes.
  • 1 0
 More athletes and photog than crowd?!
  • 3 0
 We will post an action photo epic soon from the whole week...This one was shot and created from the comp day by visiting PB photographer Beatrice Baar Smile
  • 1 0
 Where's the GOPRO picture or footage?
  • 1 0
 @kyefielderizzillo its the clive palmer helmet
  • 1 0
 yup







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