Find out who are the World Rookie Champions 2023

Halfpipe and Slopestyle Rookie Champions – Kitzsteinhorn – Kaprun/Zell am See

100 young snowboarders fought for the titles of World Rookie Halfpipe and Slopestyle Champions 2023 at the World Rookie Snowboard Finals in the Kitzsteinhorn – Kaprun/Zell am See, Austria. Exceptional talents between the ages of 7 and 18 have represented a total of 24 Nations: from New Zealand to Europe, from Japan to Australia. All had secured a starting place for the finals at the Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark at the World Rookie qualifying events around the world. The contest is considered the most important event for upcoming professional snowboarders worldwide.

Program of the 2023 World Rookie Finals included Slopestyle and Halfpipe contest and many lifestyle activities: opening ceremony, social dinners, tattoo workshop, WSF Anti-Doping workshop, and more.

The Superpipe at the Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark was the perfect spot to get the Rookies and Groms to compete for the halfpipe champion titles. Cam Melville Ives from New Zealand could convince the judges, becoming the new HP World Rookie Champion 2023, followed by Florian Lechner (GER) and Raffael Schütz (SUI).

Switzerland was general the dominating Nation this season. Janett Soha (SUI) won the Rookie Girls category while Reef Matt Hasler (SUI) and Lura Wick (SUI) conquered the World Rookie Grom Halfpipe Champions titles, boy and girl.

Male Rookies challenged for the 2023 Slopestyle World Rookie Champion title on a slopestyle course consisted by two tables with different kickers and a massive jib section at the end. Judges scored each rider using overall impression. Chaeun Lee (KOR) (the current World Champion) conquers the victory and the World Rookie Champion title. Chaeun was awarded, among the many prizes, with a ticket to the Swatch Nines, the Spring Battle 2024, the Rock a Rail in Innsbruck and an Invitation to the Prime Park Session 2023. Romain Allemand (FRA) and Gabriel Kreienbühl (SUI), got second and third and completed the male rookie podium.

In the female rookie category, Lucia Georgalli from New Zealand won the 2023 World Rookie Champion title with a solid run. Next to the Swatch Nines, Spring Battle, Rock a Rail and the Prime Park Session, she received an invitation to the Future Queen Session with Anna Gasser.