SEPPE SMITS WINS 5STAR SPRING BATTLE!
Tough conditions descended upon Flachauwinkl’s Absolut Park today, seizing the riders opportunities to run finals in the World Snowboard Tour 5Star contest.
But the event staff and riders evaluated throughout training and the first two runs of the day, and then unanimously decided that results would be taken from these 3 runs. The eight best riders were able to choose one of today's runs, to put up for the video judging event in the evening.
With these 8 runs counting for the video judging, it was Seppe Smits who took the win with his Backside 1080 Double Cork Nose Grab, taking 17.000 from the 50.000 USD prize purse, the handmade gold medal plus 850 World Snowboard Tour ranking points for the 2013-2014 season.
Seppe was followed by Swiss Carlos Gerber with a stylish Frontside Doublecork 1080° Double Grab in front of Norway’s Kim Rune Hansen. His fellow countryman Brage Richenberg missed the podium but saved himself rank four with his second run.
Seppe Smits commented: ‘’It was great to win Spring Battle again, I didn't expect it, it was close I felt...But am stoked and read to party!’’
Anthony Smits injured himself slightly in training and was therefore not able to compete.
Big highlight of the event was the live-video-judging with the following after party at Festsaal Flachau, where the final ranking was determined. The best run of each rider was prepared as a short video-edit to then be reviewed live by the judges in front of the eyes of the party crowd, a very exciting and spectacular way to crown a contest winner.
It's ony a few days until the first 6Star event of the new season, the X Games in Tignes, France. To follow the World Snowboard Tour 2013-2014 season visit: www.worldsnowboardtour.com