SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2020

The sixth edition of the SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX 2020 hosted by Terje Haakonsen and Nicolas Müller from 5 to 8 March 2020 was a successful event. Olympic champions, legends, former world champions, professional riders, amateurs and the next generation, they all gathered this weekend in LAAX to celebrate their passion for snowboarding together.

But two things were not the same this year as last year: Corona was omnipresent. Limited numbers of participants and social distancing were necessary. And almost incidental was the fact that there wasn't enough snow for the "natural" SuddenRush this year and that this year it wasn't "off piste" but had to be built next to the regular piste. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was great and the riders present were more than motivated.

FASCINATION BANKED SLALOM

For six years now Terje Haakonsen and Laax- Local Nicolas Müller have been hosting the SuddenRush Banked Slalom in Laax. The aim is to complete the 400 m long course with 20 steep turns, the so-called bankeds, as quickly as possible. The banked slalom dates back to the early days of the sport and has been celebrating a revival for years. The fascination seems unbroken. Terje says: "Banked slaloms are suitable for every rider, it is like a roller coaster ride for a while. I am honored to be a host at Nicolas' home resort." Almost five decades lie between the oldest participant (56 years) and the youngest (6 years). And this is exactly what makes the Banked Slalom so attractive. After all, it feels like a generation meeting. A meeting of the snowboard family with riders from the past up to the current stars of today and the shredders of the future.

That's what makes Banked Slalom Contests so special: the variety of categories (17 total). Divided into different age groups, the riders go to the start. Each participant has two runs. The better time is counted for the final result.

TOP STARS AND LEGENDS

On Friday the riders over 40 - among them several legends - and the top riders of today were at the start. LAAX local Sina Candrian won the Pro Women's event for the first time, ahead of Karleen Jeffery-Barlia, who has a lot of banked slalom experience, having competed in the legendary Mount Baker Banked Slalom for years. Last year's winner Chloe Sillieres from France completed the podium. In the Pro Men, 45-year-old Reto Neiger from Switzerland won ahead of Christian "Hitsch" Haller and snowboard icon Travis Rice (USA), who participated in the SuddenRush Banked Slalom for the first time. "I've been following the Banked Slalom in LAAX for years, I'm really excited to be a part of it this year!"

In the Super Masters Men (50+), as in previous years, 53-year-old Peter Bauer, who was one of the first European snowboard pros in the 90s, showed that he still masters his profession. The Bavarian was clearly ahead in his class. The Grand Masters Men (45-49) were won by Thomas Scherrer (47 years old), while in the Masters Men (40-44), as in the previous year, Pascal Imhof from Grindelwald was at the top of the podium. His wife Murielle Imhof won the Masters Women (40+) ahead of Austria's freestyle lady of the turn of the millennium Nici Pederzolli and 2006 Olympic champion Tanja Frieden.

OPEN VERY FAST

On Saturday we continued with the Open class for amateurs from 18-39 years. Traditionally the category with the most participants. Svenja Schallner won the Ladies category, and the men's category was won by 35-year-old Alex Rufibach, who had already won the Open category in 2018. He also surprised at the meeting at the end of the day when the best three or five riders from each category competed against each other again to determine the fastest riders across all categories in the "Fastest Run" race. Rufibach surprisingly defeated both the best pros and master riders here and laughed for the second time that day from the top podium, just behind him Reto Neiger, Pascal Imhof and Travis Rice.

KIDS & FAKIE RACE

On Sunday the focus was traditionally on the youngsters and the sun was shining with the youngest participants. It amazes every year anew how well the little ones are already on the board and are in no way inferior to the big ones. They mastered the steep turns fearlessly, even playfully, and were very happy to be part of the action. Paula Bauer and Lura Wick stood out among the girls. Among the boys, the defending champions of their age groups, Nico Bondi and Jonas Hasler, who was on the podium at the Burton US OPEN Juniors a week ago, were the best. The teenager ranking (14-17 years) was won by Leonie Hasler and Julian Furrer.

The final race was the Fakie race - a title with prestige for the riders, as it is all about mastering the course upside down. Here showed David Hablützel his class, as he outclassed the rest of the field by several seconds. L "m fit. And I "m fast. Very fast." he announced at the start.

At the end of the day all riders spontaneously celebrated their passion for the sport and cruised through the course together. Pure chicken skin feeling! Following Reto Poltera's statement: "The Banked in LAAX, it's like a surf session by the ocean!" That was the SuddenRush Banked Slalom 2020 in LAAX - until next year!