Absolut Park

Pop’n’Drop Absolut Park Flachauwinkl 17th/18th February 2012

Snowboard:
After the Jib King, the Pop’n’Drop was the 2nd and last competition in the Absolut Park Series in Flachauwinkl. While metal was the main theme of the Jib King, in the Pop’n’Drop it was major airtime that was in demand. Alongside the double kickerline the riders had to take on the challenge of an alternative line which included a pole-jam, diverse rails and last but not least a large wallride. In three categories; girls, rookies (under 15s) and men, the athletes did their best to impress the judges. As usual, the shapers in the Absolut Park had done a great job and were able to use the enormous masses of snow in the park this year to make a sensational course. 

After the free-skiers had given their best in the morning, the snowboard competition started at 1 p.m. and while the men were judged on their two best runs, the girls and the rookies were given points for their best attempts.  The level was absolute(ly) breathtaking at times with everything from 7ers to 9ers. No wonder the local snowboard scene is considered to have some of the best potential in the whole of Austria. The boarders pulled out all the stops, not surprising really when you think that the winner of the men’s competition gets a fixed place in the starting line of the Quiksilver Spring Battle in the Absolut Park which is being held between 28th and 31st March and has meanwhile advanced to being a TTR 5 Star Event. The top of the rookies’ podium was grabbed by local hero Alois Lindmoser.  With his BS3ers and FS3 tailgrab he showed Wilfried Winter with an FS3er stalefish (2nd place) and Kralj Kos from Slovenia (3rd place) just who the boss was. The girls proved that they not only feel comfortable on the rails but in the air too. The winner, Xenia Klackl from Flachauwinkl pipped Kaja Verdnik and Eva Kralj to the post; her melon grab on the kicker was unbeatable. 

In the gentlemen’s contest Peter Mooslechner seized 5th place, Kevin Scherübl came in fourth just missing the podium. Those lofty positions were reserved for Manuel Lindmoser who secured his third place with a SW BS 5er to FS7 and 50/50 BS180 out combo. Second place went to Fabian Wolfsgruber with a BS nuclear to BS7 melon grab and frontside boardslide to lipslide 270 out in his second run. 

The best Popper and Styler of the day was clearly Thomas Minichberger, his cab 5 melon grab followed by a stylish FS7 tail  grab on the second kicker left not only the judges speechless! An additional 50/50 backside 5 out on the pole-jam and a cab 3er layback on the wallride brought him his well-earned first place.

The winner of the Absolut Park Series 2012 over all was Manuel Lindmoser in the men’s category and his brother Alois was unstoppable in the rookies group this year and earned himself an invitation to the Playboard photo session.  

Once again this contest has proved that by creating an established infrastructure, like the one that has been provided by the Absolut Park Flachauwinkl for years now, talented young athletes start to spring up like mushrooms!  It’s not long until the Spring Battle at the end of March when Thomas Minichberger will be able to pitch his skills against the world’s best riders, who will have to brace themselves against the fresh new wind.

SKI:
The first day of the Pop’n’Drop Contest in the Absolut Park Flachauwinkl traditionally starts  the skiers. Unfortunately, the weather gods had other plans and the heavy snowfall and strong winds made it impossible to stage the competition. However, this didn’t unsettle the organizers one bit: the second competition in the Absolut Park Series was simply postponed to the following day. The sun was out and temperatures were high as the top half of the park was worked. While the first contest in the series, the Jib King, focuses on style, the Pop’n’Drop is more about shredding more alternative obstacles on the double kickerline. As always the shapers had ensured the park was in peak condition and during training it was clear that the around 50 skiers were all burning to show off their skills. In the three categories; rookies (under 15), girls and men (over 15) the skiers battled for the coveted trophies and of course for the best possible overall placing in the Absolut Park Series. Because the free-skiers don’t have their own association series in Austria, a victory in the Absolut Series is all the more prestigious!

Among the rookies, third place went to Franz Joseph Resch while Johannes Rohrmoser “tricked” his way to second place. The judges awarded top marks to Daniel Walchhofer whose tricks were simply incomparable on the day.  In the girl’s competition it was Maria Blersch who proved to be unbeatable with her stylish runs on the kickers and rails taking her to the very top of the ranking. Marlena Gerhart and Steffi de Menech also made it to the podium.

So who is the best slope-style free-skier in the Absolut Park? In this competition in any case Florian Preuss came in fifth, just behind Herbert Kohlinger. Some unbelievable tricks like a cab 9 mute to 720 tail grab and railslide 450 off brought Spencer Keirnes his third place. Martin Hauck missed coming in first by a whisper even though he came up with a stunning SW 720 Japan to cab10 mute on the kickerline as well as a tube 270 off in der alternative line. However, it was a 720 Japan to cab 720 true nose that proved to be the run of the day and Achim Winter made absolutely sure of things with a 630 Reverse Tail out on the pole-jam . 

The overall winners of the Absolut Park Series were; Peter Krakowsky (rookies), Maria Blersch (girls) and Achim Winter (men).  Peter Krakowsky can look forward to a Checkout in the Skiing Magazine!

And we can look forward to the next events in the Absolut Park Flachauwinkl!

Results 2012

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Pop `n`Drop 15.-16. February 2013