On February 10th, 2024, the Riderspark at Donovaly became the epicentre of adrenaline-fueled action as it was the host of the Snowboard & Freeski Slovakia Rookie Fest, the official World Rookie Tour stop. Drawing 23 riders from Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Georgia, the competition showed some cool tricks and new young freestyle talents in the heart of the beautiful Slovakian mountains.
Despite the challenges posed by the weather in the days leading up to the event, including rain that tested the organizers’ resolve, the competition persevered, delivering an unforgettable experience for all the participants. The dedication and hard work of the organizers ensured that the event proceeded smoothly, despite last-minute changes to the schedule. The races should be on Saturday and Sunday, but with the coming bad weather, the organizer changed the program and the WRT took place on Saturday, both Freeski and Snowboard.
The competition itself exceeded expectations, with riders pushing the limits of their skills and creativity. Among the competitors, several young talents emerged, showcasing remarkable skills and potential for the future of the sport. In the skiing categories, Revaz Burduli from Georgia claimed victory in the Rookies category, while Filip Štrba won the Grom category.
Meanwhile, in snowboarding, Zuzana Machowska took the top spot in the Girls category, with Tadeáš Nedielka, winning the Boys Rookies and Ricco Nawarkiewicz-Wisniewski winning the Boys Grom category.
The event also received a significant boost from the participation of Slovakian World Cup riders, Samuel Jaroš in snowboarding and Michael Oravec in freeskiing. Their presence provided aspiring young riders with the opportunity to learn from the best, inspiring them to reach new heights in their riding journeys. Both, the World Cup riders and kids, were riding together and the kids could experience something unusual – to ride & learn from their idols.
Despite the challenges posed by the weather and last-minute changes, the event at Donovaly was a resounding success for Slovakian freestyle, leaving a lasting impression on every participant, including the organisers and everyone, who helped to make true the World Rookie Tour in Slovakia.
