The 2013 vintage Red Bull Linecatcher kept all its promises producing a competition of high calibre on the slopes of thef Cirque de Fond Blanc des Arcs. As hoped, the day rose under clear skies, with not much wind and very cold temperatures, which allowed the snow cover to maintain its lightness. On this slope covered with the powder of dreams, the twenty skiers taking part decided to demonstrate the best that they could do: a very big day of backcountry skiing.
Tim Durtschi. Photo by Jeremy Bernard/Red Bull Content Pool
At this game, it is the Frenchman originating from Chamonix, Sam Favret, who most impressed the judges with his three astounding descents. But it was his last run, perfectly mixing freestyle techniques, the commitment of free-ride and a creative choice of line which definitively convinced the judges. Having linked a right switch cork 540, and a left cork 720 on two high kickers, Sam skied with aggressiveness and fluidity in the second part of his line, decorating his descent with a 360 on natural ground before drawing big curves toward the finishing line. The native Chamonix skier, who forewent the Olympics to concentrate on the backcountry skiing and film shoots, did not expect to take the 2013 title: "Sheer happiness! We have all ridden well. The vibes were really great during this contest. I was able to dominate my pressure and ride relaxed, it is that which allowed me to let go and ski at my best level. It is such a brilliant result and a good omen for the rest of the season."
Markus Eder. Photo by Dom Daher/Red Bull Content Pool
On the second step of the podium, Parker White, a young American prodigy from Vermont, who won the jury’s heart by achieving two very technical and perfectly performed jumps on his first descent, a butter 720 and a cork 7, all on a new line and by skiing magnificently. "I am not used to competitions and today it was a sick day. I really didn’t expect to finish second and I am really extremely happy, " declared Parker after the announcement of the results, with eyes reddened by the emotion. The podium is completed by the Swiss, Nicolas Vuignier, who is the only one of three prize-winners to have already participated in the Red Bull Linecatcher. It was during the 2011 event that Nicolas passed the qualifying phase but was not able to get through the final stages. This year, it was during his ultimate run, the third, that he knew how to seize his luck. The Helvetian skier chose an unusual line, beginning his descent by a 360 on natural ground before honouring two kickers with a cork 7 and a 360, all with full speed and without error. "Everybody skied well so that it must have been really difficult for the judges. I am very pleasantly surprised and above all really satisfied," confided the skier from Venthône as he left the podium. Finally, the special prize for the ' Best Natural Trick " (the most beautiful figure on natural ground) was awarded to the Frenchman Léo Taillefer from Val d'Isère for his magnificent link of a holly then a 360 on a natural bump at the start of his run.
Fabio Studer. Photo by Jeremy Bernard/Red Bull Content Pool
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa. Photo by Elina Sirparanta/Red Bull Content Pool
After all the work carried out by the shapers supervised by the designer Julien Regnier and the unfailing support of the Les Arcs ski slope services, this fifth Red Bull Linecatcher will have lived up to all the hopes predicted by the impressive face of the Cirque de Fond Blanc : of highly varied, very fast and very stylish skiing. The 2013 event was outstanding.
Nicolas Vuignier (3rd), Sam Favret (1st), Parker White (2nd) Photo by Jeremy Bernard/Red Bull Content Pool
Results
1) Sam Favret
2) Parker White
3) Nicolas Vuignier
4) Fabio Studer
5) Sage Cattabriga-Alosa
6) Dylan Hood
7) Markus Eder
8) Romain Grojean
9) Tim Durtschi
10) Dash Longe
11) Tom Leitner
12) Oakley White-Allen
13) Eliel Hindert
14) Leo Taillefer
15) Tobias Tritscher
16) Richard Permin
17) Tomas Blanc
18) Rory Bushfield
19) Mathieu Imbert
20) Arnaud Rougier
Comments