The Austrian Freeski Open presented by Atomic is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary, and the international freeskiing elite are ready to rock the party. Loads of top riders have confirmed their attendance for the legendary freeski slopestyle event at Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark in Zell am See- Kaprun, Austria. Together with friends and guests, they will celebrate 10 years of one of the longest-running freeski slopestyle events at Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark and Kaprun Castle on March 7th - 11th, 2012.

2011 Austrian Open Champion Andreas Håtveit. Photo by Christoph Schöch

More than 200 riders from 16 nations have registered for the competition, which is a gold-level event on the AFP World Tour, meaning they can collect valuable points for AFP's slopestyle and overall rankings. In attendance at Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark will be the the 2011 AFP World Tour Overall Champion and current leader of the AFP overall rankings, Gus Kenworthy, multiple X Games winner Simon Dumont, reigning Austrian Freeski Open Champion Andreas Hatveit, Dew Cup winner Jossi Wells, the always entertaining Colby James West, reigning Austrian Champion Patrick Hollaus, 2011 Freestyle.ch winner, Elias Ambuhl, and Germany’s leading freeskier Roy Kittler. Locals Tobias Gratz from St. Johann im Pongau, Tom Ritsch from Niedernsill/Mayrhofen, and Markus Brandauer from Kuchl will represent Salzburg County and try to attack the international stars.

Patrick Hollaus. Photo by Christoph Schöch

The Austrian Freeski Open will kick off with the Freeski Night Show at Zell am See on March 7th. On the following two days, the ladies’ and rookies’ competitions as well as the men’s qualifications will be held at Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark. The finals will take place on Saturday, March 10th.

Following finals, the AFO 10-year Anniversary Party at Kaprun Castle will round out the event on Saturday night. Here, the best clips from 10 years of the Austrian Freeski Open will be screened. DJ Sepalot of Munich’s hottest hip-hop crew, Blumentopf (with a live drummer), Haptic Invaders, and DJ's Rob Berry, Ynny & Funkberater will deliver the appropriate sounds. The party will begin at 9pm, and tickets are already available at Kaprun Tourist Office.

Elias Ambuhl, Andreas Håtveit and Roy Kittler at the 2011 Austrian Open. Photo by Tom Bause

 

For more information on the Austrian Freeski Open presented by Atomic, please visit http://www.austrianfreeskiopen.com.