Video: Riding is on the Up For Downhill Juniors

Rising downhill stars will take centre stage at MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austria. Young athletes will be looking to demonstrate some smooth riding over rough terrain at the Kona International Rookie Games, being held again at Bike Park Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. The world champions of tomorrow are coming together between the 6th and 9th of August in a relaxed setting, yet still in international spotlight. Competitors will also be vying for iXS cumulative points in the integrated iXS Rookies Downhill Championships and the iXS Rookies International Championships events, all challengers seeking the unofficial youth title of Downhill World Champion.

The Kona International Rookie Games will be a great Downhill-Weekend for Kids between the age of 11 to 18. © Christian Waldegger

Austria is already well represented in the Downhill World Cup with athletes like Markus Pekoll, David Trummer, and Manuel Gruber. A bit of support for the young riders will continue to produce world-class champions. "In order to keep this riding level in the future, we must do something for the next generation," says Bernd Kindermann, downhill coordinator of the Austrian Bicycle Association (ÖRV). "For us, as an association, it is actually very difficult to be the only group working for the youth. We can only intervene selectively, mostly acting structurally and as partners for clubs and organizers.” The Kona International Rookie Games is a unique event in that it’s the only youth mountain biking festival in Europe to be entirely dedicated to the promotion of young athletes in gravity mountain bike riding. For the second annual rookie games, Bike Park Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is proud to again provide the venue and be part of the development of the future of the sport.

Rising downhill stars will take centre stage from the 6th to the 9th of August at MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austria © Felix Schüller

Valentina Höll, ‘Vali’, an Austrian up-and-comer, is very excited about the opportunity to get some international racing experience and meet some new like-minded friends. The Salzburg local, from Saalbach-Hinterglemm, at age 13 has already secured sponsorship and is dominating even male counterparts in national races. For Vali, having fun is still the most important part, but she is well prepared for the Kona International Rookie Games. "I really like the idea of a downhill world cup for young people! A podium standing would be great, but obviously a lot of things need to come together for that to happen. I am sure the other riders have trained a lot too."

Valentina Höll, ‘Vali", is very excited about the opportunity to get some international racing experience © Martina Bogott

The weekend begins on Thursday for the youth, with track inspections transitioning into seeding runs on Friday in a similar style to other iXS championships. Saturday things get serious! (But gently) On the programme is the fourth stop of the iXS Rookies Downhill Cup, which will also be incorporating the Austrian Junior Downhill Cup. The runs will be counting as seeders toward the main event Sunday where riders will be competing for the unofficial titles of Downhill World Champion in the U17, U15 and U13 classes in the iXS International Rookies Championships. In the Family Challenge both generations will be competing together, with moms and dads riding on the track with their children. The team with the fastest total time on the track will stand together at the top of the podium, winning bragging rights.

Fighting together! The "Family Challenge". © Thomas Dietze

"Family Challenge" the team with the fastest total time on the track will stand together on the podium. © Felix Schüller

The detailed programme of the MTB Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis 2015 and the Kona International Rookie Games can be found at www.bikepark-sfl.at

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