For the second year, the Pow Wow Railbattle took place in Augsburg last weekend. Top class riders from all over the world participated in the competition, delivering amazing tricks and tough competition. In total more than 100 snowboarders and freeskiers took part in the event. On two consecutive days men and women delivered exciting duels competing for a coveted place on the podium.
The event garnered a huge public response, with thousands of spectators turning out to watch the riders showcase their skills and tricks. On both days the number of spectators at the 12m-high ramp far outreached last year’s numbers.
Daniel Schießl dominated the freeskiing contest from qualifying to the finals. With his well presented tricks he gained the victory ahead of Harald Richter and Severin Guggemos. Well done to the ladies: Caja Schöpf, Christina Huber and Daniela Beier who gave a stunning show as a bonus treat for the audience during Saturday night’s finals.
More German success was to be seen with Silvia Mittermüller’s victory in the ladies’ snowboard contest. The 23-year-old from Munich came first in the superfinal jam ahead of Swiss Sina Candrian and Kati Lukaschek from Germany. Local contester Anja Failer injured herself in an early round and could not participate in the finals.
Bad luck also for Mike Casanova who was hotly tipped for a podium place. The US boy misjudged performing a difficult trick in the quarterfinals and hit the audience’s barrier at high speed, hurting his shoulder and leaving him unable to continue. Thus, the finals turned out to be a tight fight. After a tough battle Erik-Johan Botner from Norway came in first. The 18-year-old convinced the judges with versatility and a lot of style and meritedly took the 300 Euro prize money and the winner’s cup. He was closely followed by Austrian Marc Swoboda and Dutch rider Gerben Verweij.
Results
Freeski Men
- Daniel Schießl (GER)
- Harald Richter (GER)
- Severin Guggemos (GER)
Snowboard Women
- Silvia Mittermüller (GER)
- Sina Candrian (SUI)
- Kati Lukaschek (AUT)
Snowboard Men
- Erik-Johan Botner (NOR)
- Marc Swoboda (AUT)
- Gerben Verweij (HOL)
After the award ceremony pros and spectators partied together at the after party in Augsburg’s Cinemaxx. More than 1,500 guests mingled on all three floor of the cinema complex. DJ Heidi from Windsor (Canada), DJ 5.Ton from Stuttgart and many more turn-table acrobats span crowd-pleasing tunes as the attendees enjoyed screenings of video premieres of ‘Prediculous’ and ‘Welcome Back’.
See you again next year: it’s where it’s at – in the city – in the snow.
