The second annual Stereo European Open took place this Saturday and what an event it turned out to be. The battle took place at Turncable, and with 28 degrees and sun, and a shoreline packed with people, the riders had absolute perfect conditions.
The European Open was the third stop of the Stereo Open Series, and is the biggest wakeski event of the season. The athletes have been traning harder than ever for this opportunity to walk away with the European Open trophy and the prize money. We have seen a steady progression from event to event, but I don’t think anyone would have anticipated the level of riding we saw at this event.
13-year-old Vincent Veilie (GER) delivered solid runs all afternoon to earn him a spot in the finale. One of his most impressive moves of was a massive Switch-up transfer over the Optimus obstacle, the biggest one of the day. With a 6th place, he showed everyone that he is one of the future stars of the sport.
Stylish 3s off the kickers and gapping out of the roof top rail with some sweet grabs and solid switch landings were some of the ingredients earning Turncable local, Flo Berger, the 5th place.
The fight for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place was a really close call. With style and perfect execution, Lukas Gütling’s 2nd final run earned him 3rd spot, just a hears width behind Nico Meitinger (GER), who skied away from a huge blind judge and a sw flat 5 off the kicker to take 2nd place. The 2011 Stereo Cable Jam // EU champion, Chris Böttcher (GER), ended up just outside the podium, but with his skills to utilize all three elements in the park, he showed the crowds that he can be back on the top at the next competition.
Defending champion, Sebastien Coll (FRA) was never really threatened for 1st place. He stepped up his game big time and delivered the most complete and spectacular run ever seen in the history of wakeskiing. Here it goes, a big misty 5 of the right kicker, an effortless blind judge on the first corner, a big transfer over the optimus, a DOUBLE S-BEND off the second corner, a shifty over the transfer box, a glide off the left big kicker, backroll off the third corner and rounding it off with a sw 5 off the last right kicker.
For all Wakeskiiers and future pros the Inselsee Allgäu Wakepark will be THE place to be
from 10th to 12th of June 2011. This is the time when the STEREO Wakeski Camp presented
by 5ive Skateshop will take place. And this means Wakeski en masse and unlimited fun.
Under the direction of camp leader Christian Golhofer (GER) the STEREO Coaching Team
with Kristian Hvaara (NOR), Lukas Gütling (GER), Jan Schädle (GER) and another surprise
coach from the international STEREO-Team will be on the ground to help the riders with
words and deeds.
No matter if you are beginner or expert – everybody will meet his needs and be able to
thoroughly improve his skills. Wakeskiing is also the perfect summer alternative for all
freeskiers that feel at home in snowparks on jib obstacles and kickers in the winter. The
camp is the ideal possibility to get started.
During the camp the coaches will choose one of the participants as “Most Impressive Rider”
that will not only take home a brand-new bern helmet but also a special goody of STEREO.
Besides sessions during the regular opening hours there will also be extensive lift sessions
whereby the facilities will be run exclusively for the riders of the camp. “Spot on!” is the
motto on Saturday evening, as the “Inselsee” will be enlightened by flood light. Riders can
run wild in the limelight to show their skills for the video- and photoshooting which will
definitely be a highlight of the camp!
All this will be accompanied by relaxed and chilled camp atmosphere: the riders will awake
in the morning sun when the bar ladies of the bikini-bar will already have prepared a great
breakfast for the hungry people. There is a lot going on at the lakeside in the evenings, too:
as the sun goes down behind the summits of the Allgäu Mountains – painting a wonderful
alpenglow – the participants will be decently pampered at the Welcome Dinner on Friday and
during the yummy BBQ on Saturday.
All in all it will be a weekend that should not be missed by enthusiastic or future wakeskiiers.
For only 99,- Euros you will get this Allround package:
- 3 days Coaching by STEREO-Pros
- 3 days lift tickets for the regular opening hours
- 4 exclusive Lift-Sessions, thereof 1 night session
- 3 days free camping at the lakeside (bring your own equipment)
- 3 days catering (breakfast and dinner)
- Welcome Dinner
- BBQ on Saturday evening
- Goody-Package
For those of you who prefer a comfy bed to sleeping in a tent, here are some sleeping
possibilities:
- Schiff in Bihlerdorf (ca. 5 km, from 15,- € per person/day)
www.zumschiff.com
- Explorer Hotel Fischen (ca. 15 km, from 30,- € per person/day)
www.explorer-hotel.de
So what are you waiting for? Apply for the camp and come to beautiful Allgäu! You can find
all further information as well as application possibilities online here: http://www.inselsee-
allgaeu.de/2011-05-16_wakeski_camp_en.php
Norwegian snow ski professional, Christopher Frankum started wakeskiing this summer and is totally hooked. He came with us on our annual Surf Expo trip to Orlando, FL. Here is is edit from the trip.
Last September the inaugural Wakeski Open was held at OWC and ever since the athletes have been anxiously awaiting their next shot at glory. More than glory, most of the riders have just been looking forward to gathering with fellow Wakeskiers for a fun event where they can showcase their talents on the water.
Set your Calendars for September 4th and be at OWC to compete with or watch the best Wakeskiers in the world! Since the inaugural event, we’ve already learned that new tricks will be on display at this season’s Wakeski Open.
Double Gainers are now in the mix for Justin Pruse. Defending Champion Chad Buechler has been oversees quite a bit and in the Midwest, rumor is he’s been training underground to defend his title. We can only assume that Ryan Jones will be going bigger this year and we’re excited to see what he’s bringing to the wake and the cable. Dave Vogt suffered a knee injury earlier in the season, slalom skiing we heard, but we’ll hope he and his stylish backside 180s are in the mix.
The Wakeski Open is brought to you by HO Wakeskis and Stereo Wakeskis! Help us spread the word and let’s make the Second Annual Wakeski Open a great event. For sponsorship opportunities or to enter the event please email, Greg Nelson @ nelson@hosports.com!
Get ready to compete behind the boat or on the cable. Stay tuned for more details on entry guidelines, entry fees and the cash purse. Spread the word Wakeskiers and make this season’s Open bigger and better than last years’!
What made you start wakeskiing?
In Sommer 2009 I met Jens at my homespot WildWakeSki on promotion. I tryed the Stereoskis and fell in love …
What do you like about Stereo Skis?
Everything! They are super light, the boot is very comfortable and the grindbase is perfekt! I have a lot of fun with shredding obstacles, riding kicker, rails and of course inverts. Free and independet riding … that’s great!
Are you working on any new tricks?
Everytime on the water I try to do something new. In the next time I wanna save up my Blind Judge and try some new Kicker-Tricks.
What do you do in the off season?
In the off season I go twintip skiing and hang out with my friends.
