iXS Rookies Cup and O’Neal Slopestyle at the Kona MTB Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

Race day at Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, saw at least 250 young downhillers lining up for the iXS Rookies Downhill Cup final. Pouring rain turned the event into a real mudbath, with the top spot in each class going to Anton Metsärinta (FIN) in the U13s, Michael Daxbacher (AUT) in the U15s, Jamina Silah (GER) – Girls and Alice Kuehne (SUI) – Women, while Szymon Staszek (POL) – Juniors and Tom Stippler (SUI) – Youth, were also worthy winners. Germany’s Jannik Völker (U19) and Till Eißler (U17) took first place in the O’Neal Rookies Slopestyle (an FMB Bronze Event), while the best trick event was won by Leopold Erhardt, also from Germany.

We proudly present the winners of the iXS Rookies Cup (U15 mal category): Michael Daxbacher, Felix Krüger und Tristan Heil.

iXS Cup – A Mudbath

The heavens opened on Saturday, right on time for the start of the iXS Rookies Downhill Cup. The pouring rain was shrugged off by the 250 or so starters – what else is downhilling but an outdoor sport? The wet conditions turned the already demanding course into a mudslide in places, but the young guns showed what they could do, overcoming the terrain in fine style. Anton Metsärinta from Finland, just 12 years old, dominated the U13 class, finishing ahead of Austria’s Lorenz Widhalm – at 11 even younger – and Poland’s Igor Wypior.

The winner of the iXS Rookies Cup (U13 male category), Anton Mesärinta (FIN), during the pratice on Friday.

The 11years old Lorzenz Widhalm raced on 2nd place in U13 mal category.

The U15 class saw Michael Daxbacher from Austria gain victory for his SportsNut Team, with Felix Krüger (GER) and Tristan Heil (GER) achieving second and third places. Jamina Silah was number one in the Girls’ event, ahead of Estelle Pillet (SUI) and Jana Schwaninger. In the Women’s event Alice Kuehne (SUI) came out on top, with Lisa Kruse and Carina Hildebrandt (both GER) taking places two and three. Szymon Staszek from Poland was the winner in the Juniors, beating Tom Kuttenkeuler (GER) and Maximilian Popp (AUT), while the Youth class saw victory go to Switzerland’s Tom Stippler, with Sebastian Grosu from Romania and Till Stolz (GER) second and third respectively.

Felix Krüger from Germany is the winner of the iXS Downhill Cup in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (U15 male category).

Girls on top! Pillet Estelle (SUI), Silah Jamina (GER), Schwaninger Jana (AUT).

Saturday’s racing also served as a seeding run for the iXS International Rookies Championship and the Austria Juniors Downhill Cup. Given today’s performances we can expect more than a few thrills on Sunday.

These are the downhillers of tomorrow! Here the 11year old Maxi Koci.

You’ll find all results of today’s downhill race here: www.ixsdownhillcup.com

Fantastic atmosphere at the O’Neal Rookies Slopestyle.

After the downhillers came the slopestylers. The O’Neal Rookies Slopestyle, an FMB Bronze Event, saw 14 riders from five countries competing. Top riders electrified spectators with a series of spectacular tricks. Luk Schönenberger from Switzerland came out on top in the U15 class. The U17 class saw yet another triumph for Till Geissler (GER), winner of Friday’s Pumptrack Challenge. Second place was claimed by Marco Courteaux (GER), while Peter Steiner (AUT) came third. The U19 class was dominated by Jannik Völker (GER). In second came Jonny Kielhorn (GER), Plokal hero Peter Kaiser (AUT) came third. Finally the prize for best trick went to Leopold Ehrhardt with a flipwhip.

Great Style during the first O´Neal Rookies Slopestyle in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.

Local Peter Kaiser made a 360.

The winners of the first O`Neal Rookies Slopestyle in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.

Details of the Kona MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis can be found here: www.bikepark-sfl.at and on Facebook.

Foto by Felix Schüller

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Racing and Events Slopestyle Kona