Sun, Snow, and Fog at White Style 2018
Alex Cahill extending his backflip superman.
PRESS RELEASE: Saalfelden Leogang
Saalfelden Leogang, Austria, January 26, 2018 – Once again the FMB World Tour season started in front of the backdrop of Leogang’s ‘Steinberge’. Now in its 13th year, White Style once again attracted a field of 20 elite slopestyle riders from 6 nations. For the first time in White Style history, the 16 athletes who made it through qualification had to battle each other in a head-to-head elimination format, with the loser of each match-up being knocked out of the contest.
During training, the 20 invited riders already showed that the level of riding continues to rise with each edition. As a result, the crowd at the Schantailift was already treated to several Double-Flips and 720s during qualification. One of the early highlights was an unbelievably clean Backflip-Superman-Seatgrab by Spanish young gun Marcel Durbau.
Training and qualification were held in perfect bluebird conditions. As the sun set and the lights turned on, the elimination rounds started with the Round of 16. Unfortunately, a developing bank of fog led to decreasing visibility for the riders, and as a result, the contest was eventually cancelled after the quarterfinals without a fair ranking.
Bienvendio Alba's 360-whip.
Jonny Kielhorn with a 360-unturndown.
Marcel Durbau with a stylish 360-whip.
Remy Carra with a flip-bar into the fog.
Lukas Schaefer throwing a smooth 360-table.
Tom Cardy throwing a smooth 360 into the fog.
All images by Christoph Laue.
More info on the Facebook Event page and website. More information about Saalfelden Leogang can be found at saalfelden-leogang.com and facebook.com/SaalfeldenLeogang.
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12 Comments
- 29 0
nolimit
(Jan 28, 2018 at 9:51)
I'd like to hear more about the shitstorm that's going on right now 
- 6 0
mtbjelle
(Jan 28, 2018 at 9:57)
Look at torquato testa his instagram, there is the video
- 7 0
brianpark
FL Editor
(Jan 28, 2018 at 10:00)
We're looking into this now. Updates as we get them.
- 8 0
RedBurn
(Jan 28, 2018 at 13:36)
the organizer needs to be fired, such a douche bag
- 18 2
TrevZ
(Jan 28, 2018 at 10:05)
So basically it looks like the organizers are trying to cancel the event so they don't have to pay out the winnings, but they still get the sponsor money and stuff?
- 10 2
onemind123
(Jan 28, 2018 at 11:42)
Its almost like a ski hill in winter shouldnt be used for bikes.
Flame away.
- 5 0
gavlaa
(Jan 29, 2018 at 2:25)
They need to just drop this event all together... nothing good ever happens there. It's cold, grey and not at all suited to high level slopestyle. Hardly any of the main FMB competitors attend- it's just a non-event these days.
- 1 0
sharpiemtb
(Jan 30, 2018 at 6:24)
and f*ck leogang entirely. even their world cup sucks. remember when they did that shitty stuff with Bernard kerr on making the tape narrower too on their man made rock garden drop/chute at the bottom?
- 4 0
PinkyScar
(Jan 28, 2018 at 20:54)
It would seem that being unable to see takeoffs and spot landings due to fog would be a legitimate reason for riders to stop performing. A professional freestyle ski event would never be allowed to continue under such conditions, as it puts lives at risk.
Organizers needed a plan, and were caught without one.
- 2 0
Nonsmoker
(Jan 28, 2018 at 17:36)
I talked to Torquato at last year's Crankworx in Whistler. He seemed like a stand up young guy. Hope this gets sorted out as it's bush league.
- 2 0
jflb
(Jan 28, 2018 at 18:12)
Sounds like you guys suck.
- 3 3
Tarekith
(Jan 28, 2018 at 15:45)
The pics look cooler with the fog IMO, maybe they should use a smoke machine at events from now on?
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