After the FIS Snowboard World Cup season officially got underway at the end of August with a halfpipe and slopestyle event in Cardrona (NZL), it is now time for the snowboard cross athletes to take centre stage. This weekend, the first races are scheduled ... Â in Montafon, Austria, from December 6 thru 8. On the Seebliga, one single race (Dec 7) as well as one team SBX event (Dec 8) will be staged.
However, this year on a brand new course. FIS shaper Anders Forsell (SWE), who will be responsible for the design of the Olympic course in Sochi as well, moved the whole track downwards and also widened the whole course enabling Race Organisers to run the knock out heats with six instead of four snowboarders.
But it's not only the set-up which is outstanding. Also the field is as deep, strong and hungry for success as always with more than 100 riders keen to race as fast as possible. Besides the hosting nation's aces including last year's Montafon runner-up 2009 World Champion Markus Schairer and women's team SBX winners Maria Ramberger and Susanne Moll, who are all pumped to compete in their home event, the world's best have travelled to Austria as well.
The line-up features the likes of 2010 Olympic and 2013 World Champion Maelle Ricker (CAN) as well as 2011 and 2013 World Champion Alex Pullin (AUS) plus last season's Montafon winners Dominique Maltais (CAN) and Omar Visintin (ITA).
Only 2006 and 2010 Olympic Gold medallist Seth Wescott will miss the opener. Although the US-American has successfully overcome his knee injury, he isn't ready yet to cross swords with the SBX elite. However, his team mate Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Xavier de le Rue (FRA) will celebrate a highly expected comeback.
Time schedule Montafon World Cup
Click here for some detailed time schedule.
The 2014 FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup - One Tour, One Champion
The 2014 FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup consists of eight competitions on top courses all over the world, featuring both individual and team competitions - always focused on the goal of delivering quality over quantity.
Each course is purpose-built with freestyle-based features such as big table-top jumps, wu-tangs, step-ups, step-downs, rollers and banked turns that provide several opportunities to overtake.
Depending on the venue, the course features are built to accommodate spectacular four or six rider heats and to provide intense head-to-head, fast-paced action.
The FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup is the only tour of its kind and fully supported by both riders and teams. The global circuit features the world's best female and male athletes at every World Cup stop, including World Champions and Olympic medallists who are fighting to become the overall champions of the season.