Freeride

This season I started again in South America. Freeride is very physical challenging and before I left to Chile and Argentina I was riding a bike and running a lot in the mountains. I also took part in Cliffdiving camp, what was pretty useful.
In Argentina I took part in three star FWQ event in Chapelco Back Bowls. Back Bowls is very nice big mountain face with the upper and bottom steep part. I chose easy line for orientation but with technical and fast part at the bottom and I managed to end up on the 2nd place.

In Chile I also took part in the off-piste contest organized by Patagonia. This contest is different from the other competitions, where you gain points for the technique. Here, the only thing that matters Is the time. The aim Is to find the fastest line from the top of the volcano Villarica, to the valley. It Is also interesting regarding the terrain. You start from the open crater seeing the lava and through different types of the snow conditions you try to get to the bottom of the volcano. This kind of event Is physical demanding not only because of the vertical distance but you have to ascend the mountain to the top with no lift. Mostly only with crampons.

In Europe we had a spectacular snow conditions this season. Everywhere I was skiing, I was lucky to enjoy the fresh powder. One from those places was St.Moritz.
I went there to compete in three star FWQ event. During the whole time there was very poor visibility with no chance to do a typical face check only with the binoculars. For this reason we were allowed to enter the face before the contest and check the line at least in the fog. Overnight we had big snowfall and we had finally 1 metre of fresh powder, the face was bumpy and soft what allowed me to jump more and finally I was happy about the fourth place.

But the highlight of this season was for me the last FWQ event Pitztal Wild Face. It Is very similar to the South American descend. There Is no score, no points. It only matters the time again. The difference is, that this is not a volcano and the aim is to find the fastest line from Mittagskogel to the bottom station on Rifflsee. The vertical drop is high and on the way down you pass through different types of the snow, bumps and steep couloirs. I really like this event because it is hard and challenging.
We went through bumpy qualification and finally with the second best time I ended up on the 2nd place.

Although I had some sketchy falls, I am happy about my personal progress ending up on 22th place of European FWQ ranking. But freeriding is more than just skiing. It is also about a making friendships. I am happy to get know Katka Kalinová during the competitions, who also had a successful season and I am looking forward to the next year to shred together, make some progress and ski the awesome faces,…