O'Neill King of the Park
Internationally-renowned riders in search of glory will tackle the amazing structure designed by the acclaimed Roberto Moresi, The slopestyle competition is once more, just like last year’s, is part of the
Ticket to Ride – 3 star series of events.
This invitational event will see the participation of a number of top international and national riders. The 2007 edition will introduce a major, exciting change in the programme. The first day (January 12th) will see the inauguration of the Open competition. This event will be open to anyone wanting to try their hand at the sport with the best three ‘amateurs’ permitted to compete against the top riders in the main competition the following day. The top riders will judge and cast their vote to decide who joins them in the main event. This judging system does away with technical juries and leaves the decision to those who know the sport and its intricacies best…
O’Neill, demonstrating once more their belief in this sport and this event, will be the main sponsor. Other partners include: FIAT Freestyle team, once more lending their support to the Italian snowboarding movement; Red Bull, organisers, with Iuter, of the January 13th Party (see programme) and suppliers of the entertainment; and the local administrative bodies:the Veneto Region, the Belluno provincial administration,
the Sappada local administration and the Societa’ Impianti.
The programme over the three days (subject to changes) is as follows:
12/01/2007: Event opens – with music in the Park
Morning: Open competition qualifying rounds – watch out for the top riders training in between the qualifying rounds.
Afternoon: Open competition finals – top riders will once more display their skills while practicing in between sessions.
6 p.m. O’Neill-sponsored Welcome drink – event restricted to riders, sponsors, press and staff.
13/01/2007: O’Neill King of the Park
9 a. m.-10.30 a.m.: Training sessions – with music and entertainment
11 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.: 1st Jam Session qualifying rounds
1 p.m. – 2.30 p.m.: 2nd Jam Session qualifying rounds
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.: O’Neill King of the Park Super Final
6 p.m.- Drink offered by Sappada (event restricted to riders, sponsors, press and staff)
From 10 p.m. – Party organised by Red Bull and Iuter.
14/01/2007: O’Neill King of the Park Decompression
A day dedicated to photo and video shoots, interviews etc accompanied by music and entertainment.
Provisional list of participants:
International riders: Thomas Harstad, Marius Otterstad, Markus Keller, Fredi Kalbermatten, Risto Mattila, Eirik Haugo, Fredrik Evensen, Anssi Manninen
Italian riders: Giacomo Kratter, Filippo Kratter, Dieter Nicolodi, Tato Chiala, Max Galfrè
Three qualifiers from the Open competition will join these thirteen top riders
to contest the title of King of the Park.
The event organisers are Sappada’s Extreme Snow Team, the successful organisers of many similar high-profile events such as the Factory Pilot Invitational in Sappada in January 2002, the Factory Pilot Invitational in Cortina d’Ampezzo in January 2003, Red Bull Hot Jump in Madonna di Campiglio in January 2004 and
the 2006 edition of the O’Neill King of The Park.
The competition format, which has been tried and tested with great success on many previous occasions, will see the riders divided into two Jam sessions. Each competitor display will be judged by his fellow contenders and the eight finalists will compete in the Superfinal for the winner’s prize of 10,000 euros.
