Champs Open takes a break in 201415
After 23 years without interruption the CHAMPS Open in Leysin, the oldest snowboard competition in Europe, has decided to take a break during the 2015 winter season
For more than 2 decades this "classic event" for the Swiss French and also generations of freestylers from around the globe has endured and proved itself during the many direction changes and adventures in its long course of development. Noticeably, the disappearance of the ISF (International Snowboard Federation), the creation of the TTR / WST (World Snowboard Tour), a brief displacement in Valais and its eventual return to Canton Vaud have all played a major role.
Current complications resulting from new investments for long-term local structures impose significant financial reductions for the event. In full shift the Champs Open of March 2014 proposed a promising new event concept that was extraordinarily well received by the freestyle industry. Nevertheless, the aforementioned difficulties continue to obstruct future event development objectives. As a result the Organizers and Leysin prefer to end their collaboration.
The continued interest and support from several existing sponsors and event partners is ever present. The organisers have decided to take the time to reposition the event with a broader bottom line and encompassing several ski resorts similar to the event concept in 2014. The objective will be to find the appropriate solutions to relaunch the event in 2016
In the meantime, the internet site www.champsopen.ch will continue and retrace its magnificent participation in the story of 25 years of freestyle in Europe with rich and memorable content.