http://www.newschoolers.com/watch/766413.0/Big-Air-Highlights-Suzuki-Nine-Knights

The world’s best skiers were joined by elite snowboarders for the first time at the Suzuki Nine Knights Big Air contest in Livigno, Italy on the of 10th of April 2015. With perfect blue bird conditions, the athletes launched themselves off the 11m high jump, flying 35m before landing their tricks, much to the delight the cheering crowd and judges.

The gigantic snow castle on Mottolino Fun Mountain saw Sweden's Sven Thorgren take the victory over the other snowboarders, and standing at the top of the all-Swiss ski podium, was 18 year-old Swiss skier Luca Schuler.

FREESKI

Of the many skiers competing, it was a 100% Swiss podium with Luca Schuler, Kai Mahler, and Fabian Bösch taking first, second, and third respectively. Luca’s mastery of big tricks combined with his huge amplitude pushed his score to the top.

His tricks included: a triple cork 1080 safety, double cork bio 1260 safety, and a bio 720 Bow & Arrow. Stoked on his performance, Luca explained, “It feels fantastic to win. Last year I was second and this year I’m first, so it really can’t be better. The jump was perfect and I got to try two doubles… man, it was awesome.”

SNOWBOARD

Snowboarders went huge during the entire contest, confirming their rightful place in the line-up. Continuing his big air domination from the days before, Swede Sven Thorgren stomped massive technical tricks with style, including a cab 1260 roastbeef shifty shifty, backside rodeo 540 nosegrab, and a frontside triple cork 1440, a personal first. Looking back on his win, Sven was stoked: “It feels so crazy to win today. It was also my first time landing my frontside triple and I’m just super pumped.” In second was fellow Swede, Tor Lundström with Belgian rider Seppe Smits rounding out the podium, who landed a clean Backside Triple 1440 nose grab, a personal first.

Video edits will follow soon, with full highlights from the week, so stay tuned to http://www.nineknights.com. Next up is the Suzuki Nine Knights MTB on 31st of August to the 5th of September 2015 in Mottolino, Livigno.

Follow us: @nineknights

TRICKS:

Snowboard:

Sven Thorgren (SWE):

Frontside Triple Cork 1440 (personal first), Cab 1260 Roastbeef Shifty Shifty, Backside Rodeo 540 Nosegrab

Tor Lundström (SWE):

Backside Triple Cork 1440 Mute, Frontside 1440 Mute (personal first day 4), Frontside 360 Stale

Seppe Smits (BEL):

Backside Triple 1440 nose (personal first), Cab 1260 mute, Switch Backside 180 Method

Skiers:

Luca Schuler (SUI):

Triple cork 1080 safety, Double cork bio 1260 safety, Bio 7 Bow & Arrow

Kai Mahler (SUI):

Alley Oop Double Cork 7, Switch right triple cork 1260 safety, Cork 540 blunt

Fabian Bösch (SUI):

Triple 1440 safety, switch double cork misty safety, Cork 720 blunt