Saas-Fee, Switzerland - On the 2012 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup, there?s no rest for the weary. Only a few days following the season?s first Big Air event in London, the circuit?s freestyle snowboarders will re-enter the halfpipe this week in Saas-Fee for the season?s second pipe competition.
Switzerland's Ursina Haller in the halfpipe in Saas-Fee. (photo: FIS/Oliver Kraus)
The Swiss village will host the highest event of the World Cup circuit, at an elevation of 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) above sea level, on Wednesday and Thursday for the eighth consecutive year. The Allain Park?s 22-foot high pipe, 150 meters long with a slope of 16.5 degrees, fits Olympic standards.
Organizers expect a field of over 80 riders from 18 countries to compete, led by Swiss icon Iouri Podladtchikov. The 23-year-old home favorite, who won here before in 2007, will nonetheless face some stiff competition from fellow Swiss riders including Christian Haller, Patrick Burgener and Jan Scherrer, as well as international competitors including the current World Cup leader, Janne Korpi of Finland, as well as Norway?s Tore Holvik, who won here last season, and the 2011 runner-up, Ryo Aono of Japan.
Event organizers also expect some stiff competition on the women?s side, with proven riders dropping in, including Spain?s Queralt Castellet, Sarka Pancochova of the Czech Republic, Haruna Matsumoto of Japan, and Switzerland?s own Ursina Haller.
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