Swatch Skiers Cup Returns!

Team Americas challenges Team Europe
Following the success of the first edition where team Europe defeated team Americas 14-10, the Swatch Skiers Cup will return to Valle Nevado, Chile from September 1st - 9th, 2012. The second edition will once again see the world's top male freeskiers going head-to-head in both big mountain freeride and backcountry slopestyle, offering the public the perfect mix of natural hits, cliffs and powder landings.

 
Two Iconic Captains
The teams will be captained by legendary freeskiers Mark Abma (Team Americas) and Sverre Liliequist (Team Europe). Individually selected riders will be unveiled throughout the winter and the two teams of eight riders will be completed by the end of March 2012.
 
Mark Abma has won numerous awards for his freeskiing exploits in major ski-film productions including the Powder Video Award for Best Male Performance in 2005 and 2007. “My experience as Captain of Team Americas last September gave me my first taste of the unique team spirit around this awesome new event," says Abma. "I was injured just before the competition but leading the guys then having the chance to rip it up as a team against the Europeans is something really special in snow sports. We didn't get the job done last year so we're more motivated than ever to bring home the winning trophy this year”.

 
Sverre Liliequist is a Swedish freeskier who has consistently ranked amongst the very elite on the Freeride World Tour (including 3rd place overall in 2009). Together with Kaj Zackrisson, Sverre was instrumental in the concept of developing the Swatch Skiers Cup and was part of Team Europe in 2011. “Kaj and myself are really proud of the whole team competition concept. Riders shared amazing experiences during the first edition and I feel honored to come back as a Captain in 2012," says Liliequist. "I already have a couple of names in mind for my team and I am aware I will need the strongest European riders to ensure we retain the trophy. No doubt Team Americas is waiting for revenge".

 
Format and rules remain unchanged
The format and rules inaugurated during the first edition of the Swatch Skiers Cup were unanimously approved by the riders, judges and fans and will therefore be exactly the same for the Swatch Skiers Cup 2012:

• Disciplines: Big Mountain Freeride and Backcountry Slopestyle
• Two rounds of eight heats per discipline, meaning a total of four rounds and 32 points available over the two days of competition.
• Riders will go head-to-head in a series of heats (winning one point per heat) and every rider must take part in four rounds.
• The rider composition of each heat is decided in advance following an initial draw.
• The team with the most points keeps the Swatch Skiers Cup trophy for a year.

 
Get involved in the event!
One person from the public will get the chance to win a money can't buy trip to Chile to cover the event as a Social Media Reporter and experience the true Swatch Skiers Cup spirit. To identify the right candidate, a blogging contest will be launched mid-February. Moreover, fans will get the chance to be involved in the team selection process: one rider of each team will be selected through a public vote with a shortlist of 10 riders submitted by the captains, while the other team riders are the captains' choice.

 
"Following the success of the Swatch Skiers Cup inaugural edition, we are delighted to come back to Valle Nevado in September 2012 for a second round," says event organizer Nicolas Hale-Woods. "Our two experienced captains Mark and Sverre will now put together their teams and we should once again see some really great action down in Chile. The unique team format of the event sets new standards in freeskiing competitions".