Quiksnow

July 29, 2011 in Events

3 ╬ô├ç├┤ 4 August 2012 | Afriski Ski Resort, Lesotho

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Quiksnow is South Africa╬ô├ç├ûs National Snowboard Championships. The event is held at Afriski Ski Resort in the Lesotho Mountains in the middle of the South African winter. The event attracts the best snowboarders in the country as well as a handful of international traveling pro╬ô├ç├ûs. Riders are judged in slopestyle by riding through the resort╬ô├ç├ûs park which is made up of series of rails, big jumps, boxes and a wall ride.

The resort produces 3 months of snow during winter and is complimented by the natural snow. The event comes alive in the evenings as the parties go on until early hours of the mornings. To be a part of a true South African snow experience there is no better way then by attending Quiksnow.

The Quiksnow SA Snowboard Championships have concluded in near-perfect conditions at the Afriski Resort in the heart of Lesotho╬ô├ç├ûs Maluti mountain range. Resort staff have worked tirelessly preparing a course that meets international standards, resulting in several pro╬ô├ç├ûs from Europe and the US attending the event, including 2011 Quiksnow champion Jojo Krivec from Slovenia. He was in fine form despite only recently resuming riding after a 5 month layoff to recuperate from surgery on his shoulder and successfully defended his title.

The battle for the South African championship was a fierce one between multiple SA champion Marcin Jekot (34) from Umdloti, defending SA champ Luke Dutton (16) from Durban and young dark horse Dean Van Greunen (16) from Johannesburg. The format in the finals uses only the best run out of 3 attempts, allowing riders to put their limits to the test. Despite excellent efforts from the young competitors it was Marcin╬ô├ç├ûs smooth technical ability on the rails and impressive versatility on the kickers that saw him re-claim the title he lost to Luke last year.

╬ô├ç┬úI was very nervous coming into the contest. I don╬ô├ç├ût get to ride nearly as often as I╬ô├ç├ûd like, but after qualifiers yesterday I relaxed and felt more confident. I focused on enjoying my run instead of worrying about the scores. I guess that paid off,╬ô├ç┬Ñ said a clearly elated champion after hearing the results.

Sibling Marta Jekot (29) from Cape Town took no prisoners in the Women╬ô├ç├ûs division. Brigitte Heeb (30) from Johannesburg looked threatening in her final run, but a fall late in the course prevented her from posting a score high enough to unseat the defending champion.

╬ô├ç┬úThe guys who build and maintain the course need to be acknowledged,╬ô├ç┬Ñ Marta commented. ╬ô├ç┬úThey put so much effort in and their commitment gives the rest of us so much enjoyment. The sponsors and organisers need to be thanked too. They run such a great contest, everyone always has a good time.╬ô├ç┬Ñ

Now in its 8th year, Quiksnow is the highlight of the season for South African snowboarders. ╬ô├ç┬úThere aren╬ô├ç├ût a lot of them, but the guys in the local scene are an inspiration and we╬ô├ç├ûre proud to support them,╬ô├ç┬Ñ said Quiksilver╬ô├ç├ûs Marketing Manager Dane Patterson.

Considering the Slopestyle contest format has been included in the 2014 Olympics, it╬ô├ç├ûs feasible that the continued growth of snowboarding in South Africa could result in a competitor one day representing South Africa at the Winter games.

╬ô├ç┬úAs the size and scope of the park increases and more snowmaking facilities lengthen our season, it╬ô├ç├ûs not impossible to imagine one of these younger guys competing at that level,╬ô├ç┬Ñ said contest director Oliver Schwankhart. ╬ô├ç┬úWhat an honour that would be, to see someone who learned to ride at Afriski wearing the green and gold.╬ô├ç┬Ñ