Freeskiers from all around the world arrived in Seiser Alm to make history and battling for the prestigious, and first, World Rookie Freeski Champion title. Under great conditions, a perfect shaped park by the F-Tech crew, blue sky and a picture-perfect winter scenery, the future stars of freeskiing showed an incredible riding level.
“In Seiser Alm we wrote the first chapter of a new World Rookie Tour history. We nominated the first ever World Rookie Freeski Champion and welcomed here all those rising freeski star in such a unique event is the beginning of a new saga: after scouting in the snowboard community, the Black Yeti is now searching and supporting also the future stars of freesking. And this coming summer 2019 the rookie community will expand also in skateboarding!” Marco Sampaoli, World Rookie Tour Co-Founder.
Yesterday, the Snowpark Seiser Alm was the center of attention, where the rookies and groms showed their skills in three runs, with the best run counting.
Rookie Ulrik Samnøy (Norway) took home the win and glory with his impressive third run which consisted of a Leftside Fs 360 Switchup, Rightise Blidside 630 out, Rightside Double Cork 1260 Safety, Switch Leftside Triple Cork 1260 Safety and finishing off with a Leftside Double Cork 1260 Blunt. Second place went to the italian talent Leonardo Donaggio and the third place to the norvegian Tevje Skaug.
The World Rookie Freeski Champion, Ulrik Samnøy, officially started his carrier as professional freeskier winning a spot in the legendary Audi Nines and one in the next FIS World Cup Tour! Moreover, he was rewarded with other incredible prizes: an invitation to the World Rookie Tour Shooting to be held in Les 2 Alpes, France, from the 10th to the 13th of July 2019, an invitation to the Summer Rookie Trip, a surf trip to Santader by SurftoLive.com and many other goodies offered by Level Gloves, TSG Protections and FATCAN poles. Last but not least, Ulrik was invited to join the Völkl and Marker Freeski Team and won a sponsorship by FATCAN.
In the Grom category, Matej Svancer (Czech Republic) conquered the podium with his second run: Leftside 270 on, Leftside Blind 630 out, Rightside Cork 720 Safety, Leftside Double Cork 1260 Blunt, Switch Leftside Double Cork 1080 Safety. Matej was followed by Gian Andri Bolinger from Switzerland, who ended up second, and by Noah Ressel from Austria, who won the third place. Also the grom winners were rewarded with many prizes such as: three surf trips by SurftoLive.com, many goodies by Level Gloves, TSG Protections and FATCAN poles and three sponsorships by FATCAN.
“Oh my God! I’m blown away by the level of riding! The future of freeskiing has been set to a new standard. I’m super stoked to be part of the WRT and I’m looking forward to give riders from all around the world a chance to take their career to the next level! We will continue to keep the stoke and hope many more riders will join us next year!” stated full of enthusiasm Martin Misof, the International Freeski Guru and member of the WRF Freeski committee.
However, as World Rookie Tour tradion, the World Rookie Finals freeski were not just about competition. Skiers had the opportunity to participate in many activities. Indeed, the first day they took part in the event presentation and in the welcome party at Stanglerhof and were entertained by Schuhplattler dancers. Furthermore, in the next days the WRT staff organized two workshops where rookies and groms could have fun, know each others and get a taste of the South Tyrolean culture learning how to cook Knödel and dance the Schuhplattler.
Another World Rookie Tour came to an end! Many thanks to all the riders and crews for this amazing event and congratulations to all the winners. You made the history!
Pictures from Day 1 – 2019 World Rookie Freeski Finals
Pictures from Day 2 – 2019 World Rookie Freeski Finals
Pictures from Day 3 – 2019 World Rookie Freeski Finals
Photo credits: Ania Grzelka
Video highlights – Filming&Editing Silvio Ottonello e Federico Romanello
EVENT RESULTS
| GROM MEN | ||||
| Rank | Bib | Last Name | First Name | Nationality |
| 1 | 24 | SVANCER | MATEJ | CZE |
| 2 | 39 | BOLINGER | GIAN ANDRI | SUI |
| 3 | 23 | RESSEL | NOAH | AUT |
| 4 | 67 | TABANELLI | MIRO | ITA |
| 5 | 3 | PFEFFER | FABIO | GER |
| 6 | 37 | LEGNAVSKY | GUSTAV | NZL |
| 7 | 1 | MERSA | MATTIA | ITA |
| 8 | 7 | GASSER | MARTIN | ITA |
| 9 | 30 | AUER | THOMAS | ITA |
| 10 | 60 | HAUZENBERGER | NICO | GER |
| 11 | 33 | BASSO | RICCARDO | ITA |
| 12 | 35 | SANINO | TOMMASO | ITA |
| DNS | 29 | MAIRHOFER | TIM | ITA |
| ROOKIE MEN | ||||
| Rank | Bib | Last Name | First Name | Nationality |
| 1 | 20 | SAMNØY | ULRIK | NOR |
| 2 | 70 | DONAGGIO | LEONARDO | ITA |
| 3 | 19 | SKAUG | TEVJE | NOR |
| 4 | 57 | VAUDAUX | ADRIEN | SUI |
| 5 | 18 | FROSTAD | TORMOD | NOR |
| 6 | 75 | GOMIS | KADITANE | FRA |
| 7 | 31 | LEITNER | SIMON | ITA |
| 8 | 21 | BARCLAY | BEN | NZL |
| 9 | 85 | SIVIGNON | TIMOTHÉ | FRA |
| 10 | 56 | RAGETH | MIKE | SUI |
| 11 | 50 | BOLINGER | NICOLA | SUI |
| 12 | 28 | LERCHBAUMER | MANUEL | AUT |
| 13 | 22 | WOLF | DAVID | AUT |
| 14 | 26 | BIEMBACHER | NIC | AUT |
| 15 | 90 | HARBONNIER | NATHAN | FRA |
| 16 | 32 | OBERRAUCH | NIKLAS | ITA |
| 17 | 54 | NUSSBAUM | NALU | SUI |
| 18 | 4 | HOFER | DAVID | ITA |
| 19 | 6 | RABANSER | FILIP | ITA |
| 20 | 68 | HUBER | NICCO | AUT |
| 21 | 53 | MANSER | NICO | SUI |
| DNS | 72 | LEVIS | FILIPPO | ITA |
| DNS | 73 | HAPPACHER | MORITZ | ITA |
| DNS | 74 | FACCHIN | IVAN | ITA |
