Seoul LG FIS Snowboard World Cup

21/12/09

Article from www.fis-ski.com

The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup big air drew huge crowds to the city center of Seoul (KOR). The specially-built ramp located on Gwanghwamun Plaza in the backyard of the Korean President was visited by a reported 300'000 visitors over the course of the weekend, with around 150'000 during the course of Sunday morning's qualifications and the evening finals. A high profile opening ceremony took place on Friday with an enthusiastic address from the Mayor of Seoul in the presence of number of Korea's leading personalities from the world of sport, business and politics before a show on the big air ramp giving spectators a taste of the action to expect over the weekend. Saturday's program included an invitational event before the highlight of the Seoul Snow Jam took place on Sunday evening with the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup big air competition.

An elite field of 29 riders from 10 nations travelled to Seoul, and the best of them turned out to be 21-year-old Gian-Luca Cavigelli (SUI) who clinched his first World Cup win ahead of World Cup leader and reigning champion Stefan Gimpl (AUT) and current world champion Markku Koski (FIN) who rounded out the podium. Runner-up in the big air competitions in London and Barcelona, Cavigelli was thrilled with his first World Cup victory "the whole set up here in Seoul was unbelievable. The kicker was super, everything was right to give full gas!"

FIS Snowboard Race Director Marcel Looze was delighted with the outcome of Seoul's first big air competition: "We can be really pleased with the fantastic promotion for Snowboarding through this event in Seoul. The ramp, its location and the masses of spectators created a really special competition. Compliments to the organizers for a great job!"

This week, it is time for another LG Snowboard FIS World Cup premiere in Telluride (USA) where the schedule includes a SBX and two PGS World Cup events.

Suomu, Northern Finland hosted the opening of the 2009/10 FIS Freestyle World Cup season with back-to-back mogul events. Swede Jesper All major FIS World Cup disciplines have now seen their Olympic season get underway. During the coming weekend the Freestyle aerials season will begin in Changchun (CHN) with two individual events and a test-style mixed team event, while the first World Cup in ski cross will take place in Innichen / San Candido (ITA) on 21st-22nd December.