Wrap-up of TTR Nescafe Champs Leysin 2011 qualifying round
The 5Star NESCAFE’ CHAMPS Leysin is in full roll right now with the women’s qualifying round coming to an end on the 10th of February in Switzerland.
Isabel Derungs and Helen Nadig from Switzerland landed themselves at the first two places respectively. France’s Clémence Grimal got the third spot whereas her fellow French competitors Alexia Le Droumaguet and Anne-Sophie Pellissier earned the fourth and
fifth position. These riders would be seen in action at the semi-final now. Owing to the unfortunate injury of one of the previously qualified rider, Damien Henzelin is granted a slot in Friday’s semi-final in her stead.
Offering the infamous Slopestyle course with fully integrated Superpipe, CHAMPS happens to be the oldest freestyle snowboard contest in Europe and also one of the most challenging and original one in the TTR World Snowboard Tour.
Twelve riders presented themselves at the NESCAFE’ CHAMPS Slopestyle course at Leysin to compete for the five semi-finals spots on offer. With wonderful conditions in Leysin, the qualifications kicked off with all the riders extremely determined to make
the best of the opportunity. The level of riding was really impressive with all the riders giving their 100 percent to impress the judges and clinch one of the five spots on offer.
In the end, it was Isabel Derungs from Zürich who turned out to dominate the day with her sensational runs. In her first jump she completed a solid Rodeo, getting huge amplitude in the Superpipe, and stuck a perfect Backside 360° on the final jump.
Another Swiss rider, Helen Nadig from Coire, occupied the second spot. She pulled off a variety of tricks with perfection during her run that earned her a really good overall impression score. The 16-year-old French rider, Clémence Grimal finished third.
She managed to clinch the highest score in the Superpipe section that contributed to her third position. Her compatriot, Alexia Le Droumaguet, occupied the fourth position whereas the fifth position was clinched by yet another French rider, Anne-Sophie Pellissier.
One rider’s misfortune became a blessing for another as Damien Henzelin has been granted a semi-final slot after one of the previously qualified rider suffered an injury and unable to participate in the event anymore.
The significance of victory in the NESCAFE’ CHAMPS event lies in its 5Star status, which translates into high amount of Swatch TTR Tour ranking points on offer. Of course the prize money and exposure would be pretty decent as well. With the TTR World Snowboard
Tour coming to an end next month, the snowboarders realize the importance of the remaining events and ranking points still attainable.
The qualified and invited riders would be competing in the semi-finals of the NESCAFE CHAMPS on Friday, i.e. 11th of February. It would be followed by both, the Men Finals and the Women Final, the very next day, i.e. the 12th of February.
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