European Freeski Open By Swatch in Laax, Switzerland From March 3 - 6, 2010

EUROPEAN FREESKI OPEN BY SWATCH LAAX FROM MARCH 3 TO 6, 2010:
OPEN SPOTS FILLED – INVITED RIDERS CONFIRMED

(LAAX, SUI – February 11, 2010) – Freeskiers from around the globe are getting ready to ride for top honors and celebrate the 5th anniversary of the European Freeski Open by Swatch from March 3-6, 2010 in LAAX, Switzerland. The most prestigious freeski event of Europe offers outstanding freestyle action on Crap Sogn Gion mountain and US$ 50.000 in prize money for the best performances in slopestyle and halfpipe.

The open format allows male and female riders 14 years up to compete in the same contest with the world’s best freeskiers. All open spots have been filled. 280 riders from 23 different countries – from amateurs to rookies and pros – registered online. The lottery has selected 212 lucky ones, which are gearing up to compete in the slopestyle and halfpipe qualifications in LAAX. Riders from Europe, USA and Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and even Greece are expected to join the 2010 event. Most of them are born in the zodiac sign of “aries”. Looking to the age statistics 50% of the participants are between 17 and 19 years old.

All riders who make it through the qualification will have the chance to battle in the semi-finals with international top freeskiers, among them last year’s European Freeski Open Slopestyle Champions Henrik Harlaut (SWE) and Kaya Turski (CAN), X-Games Winner 2009 Xavier Bertoni (FRA), Thomas Doldplads (NOR), Emma Lonsdale (GBR) and the Swiss freeski queen of LAAX, Virginie Faivre, who won since the launch of the European Freeski Open in 2006 every year a title. They will be joined by quite a few podium candidates from North America e.g. Tom Wallisch, Philip Casabon, Matt Margetts, Taylor Seaton, Roz Groenewoud or Keri Herman.

PROGRAMME:
March 3, 2010: Qualifications Slopestyle
March 4, 2010: Qualifications Halfpipe
March 5, 2010: Semi Finals & Finals Slopestyle
March 6, 2010: Semi Finals & Finals Halfpipe

WEBSITE:
www.laax.com/freeskiopen