Swatch Rocket Air - Course Build and Rider List

Apr 9, 2013
by Rocketair Slopestyle  
The ice rink in Thun has undergone massive changes since last week. Where there used to be ice hockey players taking laps and ice princesses practicing their spins, it is all currently being transformed into a venue for biking. Since the ice has melted, the Flying Metal Crew has been building with full speed. There are only a few days left until the Swatch Rocket Air 2013 takes place.

Flying Metal Crew building preparing for Swatch Rocket Air

First Slopestyle Team Contest
For the first time in the history of the sport, there will be a slopestyle team event, the Swatch Rapid Fire. Up to seven teams are competing during the event. The teams will get the chance to make creative use of the course and to create their own choreography. Teams are built based on nationality or geographic origin of the riders. Therefore, one may look forward to battles like Team Scandinavia vs. Team France or Team Switzerland vs. Team Canada. The Swatch Rapid Fire is all about thrilling the crowd with Rapid Fires. Judges will choose the two most inspiring teams. Within the superfinal these two teams will compete in one last run. The winner of the superfinal is going to be chosen by the spectators by means of applause. Additionally, the best trick of the Swatch Rapid Fire team battle is going to be rewarded with 1000 CHF. A breathtaking show can be expected due to the Fuel Girls, a fire-spitting showgroup from the UK, who will heat up the crowd.


Swatch Rocket Air - Team Battle Medals
Medals for the winner of the Swatch Rapid Fire team battle, made by sam-customs.com

Course Build
The preparations are running at full speed, the Flying Metal Crew and over 100 helpers are using more than 2000 Euro pallets to build the set. The set up for the two-day event will take a total of ten days.

Bird's eye view of the Swatch Rocket Air Slopestyle course:
Flying Metal Crew building preparing for Swatch Rocket Air

Flying Metal Crew preparing the Swatch Rocket Air Course

Flying Metal Crew building preparing for Swatch Rocket Air

Flying Metal Crew preparing the Swatch Rocket Air Course

Swatch Rocket Air 2013 – Rider List

Set Riders for Saturday’s Qualification:
Antoine Bizet
Thomas Genon
Ramon Hunziker
Sam Pilgrim
Sam Reynolds
Martin Söderström
Brett Rheeder
Szymon Godziek
Tomas Zejda
Louis Reboul
Jakub Vencl
Anton Thelander
Patrick Leitner
Amir Kabbani
Linus Sjöholm
Mehdi Gani
Teo Gustavson
Raymond Samson

Livestream on Pinkbike
As was already announced, there will be a live broadcast of the contest on Saturday beginning at 8 pm. The stream will be aired on the Bike Sport Channel on Red Bull TV and streamed here on Pinkbike. This provides the Swatch Rocket Air with a worldwide audience.

Photos copyright: www.spitznagel.ch
Facebook: facebook.com/rocketairslopestyle
Homepage: rocketair.ch

Author Info:
Rocket-Air-Slopestyle avatar

Member since Jan 12, 2012
13 articles

39 Comments
  • 21 1
 i think rheeders gonna do it.
  • 5 0
 rheeder, soderstrom, genon
  • 3 0
 Pavel Alekhin Vishneviy?
  • 4 0
 Or Pilgrim
  • 1 0
 those seats....
  • 4 0
 Reynolds have a chance too i think
  • 2 0
 rheeder pilgrim soderstrom
  • 16 6
 I see only 1 name in there that's not from Europe. Kind of shows how unfair it is on the semi-pro guys that 20+ events are in Europe and only like 10 are in North America.
  • 16 1
 You sound like Semenuk in that interview....
  • 18 2
 Well the flipside of that is that the bigger event's are all in North America: Joyride, Rampage, Claymore, Crankworks colorado etc. So the European pros get disadvantaged aswell.
  • 7 0
 Yes, only one rider in the set riders list. There are also Matt McDuff, Noah Brousseau and Tom van Steenbergen coming to Thun next Weekend! So bet your Money on Team Canada for the Teambattle Win!!
  • 2 1
 what interview are you talking about?
  • 4 1
 I was hoping to say that without having to link the interview, but Semenuk said, exactly what I just said. It's an interview for Bike magazine on their website. And to be honest he's totally right...
  • 3 0
 i think the fact that he's not compeating much this year, shows that he is the best rider in the world and he can do everything he wants. why not, he won the fmb tour twice!
  • 6 0
 So what ? Create your event in North America and stop to complain !
  • 10 1
 Got my money on Soderstrom for FMB overall this year.
  • 5 2
 Pilgrim!
  • 1 0
 rheeder will keep it the FMB overall canadian !
  • 9 1
 some how comps arn't the same without semenuk,...you don't know who will win for once
  • 4 3
 Get used to it
  • 4 0
 Semenuk talk... YAWN - this comp is going to be sick- the line up is mental. I have no idea who will win the FMB, it all hinges on injuries, weather, luck etc etc. All I do know is that the level of skill is higher than ever with mega talent from every corner of the globe. I don't care who wins- the events are going to be more fiercely competed than ever before and that's what matters.
  • 1 0
 agree with you, all i want is to see the riders pulling up big good tricks that can entertain us Smile
  • 6 0
 Mr. BRETT RHEEDER
  • 5 0
 Lets hope theres some " live" in this stream.
  • 1 0
 this is all well and good but it looks like the riders are gonna go so high they smash into the ceiling or am i missing something here
  • 3 0
 Pilgrim ftw! Mans got crazy skills!
  • 5 1
 Still missing Semenuk!
  • 3 0
 Go rheeder
  • 1 0
 Those seats look like personal washrooms for everyone haha
  • 2 1
 YAY!! another flat ground two-bit bmx contest. lame
  • 1 0
 true
  • 1 0
 too many contests its making me not ride and watchninstead
  • 1 0
 See pallets aren't always ghetto.
  • 1 0
 youd think a more cost effective way would be better that alot of wood wht bout rebar like on xgamess
  • 1 0
 this will be soo sick
  • 1 0
 live stream! uuuh yeah!
  • 1 0
 Sweet
  • 1 0
 wait where is semenuk?







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