SSC14 PressKit English version by Freeride World Tour

4-10 JANUARY 2014 ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND SWATCHSKIERSCUP.COM

PHOTO DAVID CARLIER

CONTENT EDITORIAL 4 CONCEPT & HISTORY 5 BEST OF 2013 6 S. ANTHAMATTEN & ZERMATT 8 10 COMPETITION SCHEDULE HOW TO GET THERE? 11 THE CAPTAINS 12 TEAM AMERICAS 13 TEAM EUROPE 17 JUDGES & SHAPER 20 THE TROPHY 22 24 BIG MOUNTAIN BACKCOUNTRY SLOPESTYLE 26 SWATCH BRAND & SPORTS 28 SWATCH PROTEAM 29 SWATCH PRODUCTS 30 PUBLIC HAPPENINGS 32

PHOTO DAVID CARLIER

Freeride World Tour

SWATCH

“Welcome to the fourth edition of the SWATCH SKIERS CUP in Zermatt, Switzerland! After a stunning event last year with perfect snow conditions around the Matterhorn, Team Americas is coming back with an AllStar Team in order to bring the Trophy home. Good news is Team Europe has never looked so strong… It is great to see that this creative concept put forth by Kaj Zackrisson and Sverre Liliequist 3 years ago is continuing to grow, as each edition of the event adds to its legacy. I‘d like to sincerely thank our local partners, Gemeinde Zermatt, Zermatt Tourism, Zermatt Bergbahnen, Backstage Hotel Vernissage, and Air Zermatt, and clothing partner Kask for making this week possible. Good luck to both teams!”

“It’s a privilege and a real pleasure to be here in Zermatt for the SWATCH SKIERS CUP 2014. What an amazing experience it will be to see these fantastic athletes go head-to-head beneath the Matterhorn. The Team Americas and Team Europe Captains have assembled some of the most amazing skiers on both sides of the Atlantic for this year’s high-altitude thriller—we can’t wait! Good luck to all, and may the best team win!”

NICOLAS HALE-WOODS Freeride World Tour General Manager Europe

CARLO GIORDANETTI Creative Director Swatch International

PHOTO JEREMY Bernard

EDITORIAL

CONCEPT & HISTORY

PHOTO DAVID carlier

You are about to witness one of the greatest battles in the world of competitive skiing: The SWATCH SKIERS CUP. This unique ski event brings together 16 of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s best freestylers and freeriders in a multi-discipline, team format competition. Competition is guaranteed to be fierce, with national pride, a cash purse, and the SWATCH SKIERS CUP trophy on the line.

PHOTO JEREMY Bernard

(4th edition)

Team Americas and Team Europe have faced off three times so far, with events at Valle Nevado, Chile in 2011 and 2012, and at Zermatt, Switzerland in 2013. Winning at Zermatt last year, Team Europe are the defending champions and they also hold the overall lead with a score of 2-1 over Team Americas. For 2014, the teams are back with new captains. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve rebuilt their athlete lists in anticipation of the faceoff, bringing back valuable veterans and adding exciting new names. Two disciplines ultimately decide the winning team of the event. Big Mountain uses a venue selected from the limitless off-piste terrain available

around the Zermatt ski center for a high-adrenaline, helicopter-accessed freeride showdown. In Backcountry Slopestyle, the riders take to the air, soaring, flipping and spinning off the perfectly built jumps spread across a natural amphitheater of powder snow and cliff bands. Which team has what it takes? Will Europe repeat their victory in Zermatt and increase their historic lead? Or will Team Americas battle back and tie the score at 2-2? Find out when the battle begins on January 5th!

BEST OF SWATCH SKIERS CUP 2013 PHOTO DOM DAHER

PHOTO JEREMY BERNARD

PHOTO DAVID CARLIER

PHOTO DOM DAHER

SAMUEL ANTHAMATTEN The SWATCH SKIERS CUP is proud to again have Samuel Anthamatten as the event’s lead mountain guide. Born and raised in Zermatt, Anthamatten’s credentials make him the perfect fit for the job of finding the best terrain and snow while ensuring athlete safety. He is a fully certified UIAGM mountain guide with a long list of first ascents and descents ranging from the peaks above Zermatt to the Himalayas, he is a decorated Freeride World Tour competitor, as well as a rising ski film star. Anthamatten says:

PHOTO DAVID carlier

“Anything you can find at other mountains around the world, you can find here at Zermatt. We truly have everything. From casual runs in the forest, to helicopter skiing, to runs from the lift station with a drop of over 2,000 m, Zermatt really is a unique place.”

PHOTO DAVID carlier

introduces ZERMATT

“The town is special, too. Its an international scene with amazing food, culture, and hotels, and since there are no cars besides the electric shuttles, it is very peaceful, letting you feel like you’re in another world.”

PHOTO DAVID carlier

ZERMATT Marc Scheurer, Marketing Director Zermatt Tourism comments:

“Zermatt sits in the midst of thirtyeight 4,000-meter Alpine peaks and offers the riders plenty of options to

get their kicks. We look forward to a fantastic atmosphere with incredible performances from the two teams. The action on the mountain for the backcountry slopestyle and entertainment in the village are all accessible to the public, which makes this event so special.”

SWATCH SKIERS CUP 4-10 January 2014 Zermatt, Switzerland COMPETITION SCHEDULE PHOTO JEREMY BERNARD

In order to guarantee the best possible conditions for the SWATCH SKIERS CUP 2014, event organizers will choose the two best days out of the six-day waiting period on which to hold the Big Mountain and Backcountry Slopestyle competitions. 10

Big Mountain

Backcountry Slopestyle

(weather dependent):

5-10 January 2014

Option A Schwarzsee Face Public viewing from Restaurant Schwarzee.

Location

Location The Backcountry Slopestyle location will be confirmed two days prior to the event. The following options are foreseen:

Option B Gaggle Nordhang Public viewing from top of Breitboden lift.

Possible dates of competition

The Big Mountain location will be decided at the last minute to ensure the best possible conditions.

Possible dates of competition

No public access Stay tuned on swatchskierscup.com and facebook.com/swatchskierscup for the latest updates on the program, the contest venues as well as daily photo and video highlights!

A B C A Gaggle Nordhang

B Schwarzsee Face

C Event Village / 8-10 January / 4-7 P. M.

PHOTOS dOM DAHER

CAPTAIN TEAM AMERICAS

CAPTAIN TEAM EUROPE

JP AUCLAIR

JULIEN REGNIER

Team Americas captain JP Auclair knows what the opposing captain is capable of – the two have been friends for nearly 15 years. Like the European captain, Auclair is one of the architects of the sport as it is known today, inventing tricks and approaches to skiing no one previously imagined possible. In building his team, Auclair drew on his substantial power in the ski world, recruiting elite athletes normally only seen on the silver screen to this one of a kind competition.

One of the founding fathers of modern freeskiing, this man is a master of freestyle, big mountain, and steep skiing. Regnier brings a creative approach to everything, from photography to ski design to his strategy for the SWATCH SKIERS CUP. He has a history with the event, judging the SKIERS CUP in 2012 and doing the double duty of judging and building the Backcountry Slopestyle course in 2013. Regnier’s strategy for 2014 will be to use his experience and that of his team, six of whom were members of last year’s winning Team Europe.

PHOTO IF3

PHOTO ADAM CLARK

PHOTO MARK FISHER

TEAM AMERICAS

SETH MORRISON 30/10/1973

SAGE CATTABRIGA-ALOSA

CALLUM PETTIT 04/01/1990

27/12/1979 Home Mountain

Frisco, Colorado (USA)

Home Mountain Home Mountain

Whistler, British Colombia (CAN)

Alta + Snowbird, Utah (USA) JP says “It isn’t without good reason that Seth became the legend he is: He has the best turn in the business, is incredibly disciplined, and is always on top of it. You can always count on him which makes him a great person to be in the mountains with.”

JP says “You can’t put a Team Americas list together without inviting Sage. He is an insanely strong, well-rounded skier, and he always brings positivity and good vibes with him.”

Jp says “This guy loves snacks like a little kid, but has the natural mountain sense of an old man. He’s hungry for snacks and hungry for breathtaking lines. He’s received a lot of praise for his performance in the big mountains this year and I couldn’t agree more.”

PHOTO DOM DAHER

DANE TUDOR

TIM DURTSCHI

KC DEANE

Home Mountain

Red Mountain, British Colombia (CAN)

Mt. Bachelor, Oregon (USA)

Wherever he takes his snowmobile in North America

JP says “Strong and driven, Dane is an undeniable powerhouse of our sport. He has a really mellow personality when you’re hanging out with him, so you’d never know he’s one of the best skiers in the world.”

JP says “Three words: natural terrain freestyle. Tim is one of the most impressive guys out there when it comes to hitting natural unshaped features, making him an obvious talent in Backcountry Slopestyle but also in Big Mountain. Plus he’s always smiling.”

02/06/1989

26/01/1986

13/01/1985

Jp says “KC is a hard worker and is professional as can be. He’s one who can put his head down and achieve what he wants. Along with Cody, KC is a SKIERS CUP veteran, so we’re counting on his experience to help the team.”

PHOTO DOM DAHER

CODY TOWNSEND 14/03/1983

Home Mountain

Squaw Valley, California (USA) JP says “Team Americas captain in 2013, Cody has a great sense of humor and is comfortable in big terrain. The fact that Cody wants redemption for the team will get him to ski that much harder in Zermatt this year.”

16 PHOTO JEREMY BERNARD

PHOTOS dOM DAHER

TEAM EUROPE

SVERRE LILIEQUIST

KAJ ZACKRISSON

RICHARD PERMIN

Home Mountain

Wherever the pow is! (Earth)

Oslo Winterpark (NOR) and Chamonix (FRA)

La Clusaz (FRA)

09/03/1972

Julien says “Sverre and Kaj have really similar styles on and off the snow. Sverre is a super solid Big Mountain rider with really strong alpine-style turns, huge cliff stomps, and a crazy backflip.”

11/03/1973

Julien says “Kaj is a legend and a very solid Big Mountain skier. He has more experience than anyone and you can’t beat his team spirit. I also love the way he has been charging on the Backcountry Slopestyle day during the past editions, its really fun to watch Kaj push his own limits.”

09/05/1985

Julien says “Richie charges so hard it looks like he has no fear. Super fast skiing and big airs – I wouldn’t want to battle against him. He is also a really strong freestyle skier, he can send doubles off some of the biggest park jumps so he’s for sure one of my big names for the Backcountry Slopestyle day.”

PHOTOS dOM DAHER

FABIO STUDER

SAM FAVRET

NICOLAS VUIGNIER

Home Mountain

Silvretta Montafon (AUT)

Chamonix (FRA)

Crans-Montana (SUI)

Julien says “The Austrian technique is not only working on the Alpine World Cup! Fabio had the best run of the Backcountry Slopestyle discipline last year, combining a creative line with flawless tricks. Fabio has everything to perform in both disciplines.”

Julien says “Very solid skier in both disciplines, Sam has strong legs and he knows how to use them. He built his reputation as a freestyle skier, but this Chamonix-based man knows how to freeride the craziest Big Mountain terrain, too.”

Julien says “Mister style himself. This guy has the most beautiful style in his turns, its very pretty to watch. He has a very special way of looking at the mountain; the line he chooses is always a surprise. Nico is another rider best known for park tricks, but who can also do really well in Big Mountain.”

17/05/1986

22/06/1988

12/04/1990

PHOTO JEREMY BERNARD

PHOTO DAVID carlier

KEVIN GURI 23/10/1989

Home Mountain

Les Ménuires (FRA) Julien says “Freshly crowned champion of the Xtreme Verbier on the mythic Bec des Rosses, Kevin is for sure not an easy draw in Big Mountain. He has been training hard this summer and he has a couple of new tricks in the bag as well. Besides me, Kevin is the only new rider on the team this year.”

ALL RISE!

WOODIE BOUMA (AUS)

PHILIPPE POIRIER (CAN)

Woodie Bouma was born and raised in Australia, but moved to Europe upon discovering the French Alps. He spent years as a professional skier competing in park, pipe, and freeride events before putting down roots in the famous French surf town, Hossegor. He now splits his time between the snowy expanses of the Alps and the Pyrenees and the waves of his adopted home. Woodie says:

A member of the legendary New Canadian Air Force, through the end of the 90s and the early 2000s, Poirier was one of the best competitive park skiers in the world. He still skis, but has more recently turned into a top downhill mountain biker, as well as taking on Red Bull’s insane Crashed Ice downhill ice cross races. Philippe says:

THE JUDGING BEHIND THE SWATCH SKIERS CUP

PHOTO DOM DAHER

Three experienced judges will decide the champions of the event – Woodie Bouma (AUS), Philippe Poirier (CAN), and Camille Jaccoux (FRA). The head-to-head format of the competition keeps the judging format simple - after each completed match-up, the judges lift a blue card for a winning Team Europe rider, or a red card for a winning Team Americas rider. No worrying over tenths of points leading to a final score - each winning rider tallies one point for their team, while the loser is awarded nothing. The team with the most points after both days of competition wins!

“In my judging for Big Mountain, I’ll be looking for good flow and smooth style. A line in extreme terrain is good, but it needs to be done with fluidity and a confident approach that makes it look easy. In Backcountry Slopestyle I’m looking for the same thing – keep the style factor high and you’ll be rewarded for it!”

“In Big Mountain I’m looking for speed and style, gnarly lines and big jumps. For Backcountry Slopestyle the tricks have to be clean with solid grabs – I would rather see good style instead of sketchy tricks.”

THE SHAPER The Shaper is responsible for designing and building terrain park-style jumps in an untracked, off-piste area. The result is the course for the crowdpleasing Backcountry Slopestyle discipline.

ARNAUD KUGENER (FRA)

Co-founder of the prestigious, Chamonix-based ski brand Black Crows, Camille Jaccoux’s job means he must think about skiing 365 days a year, though he always prefers to be skiing than just thinking about it. His head is also busy with thoughts of films and landscapes. He splits his time between London and France, driving cars with naughty engines, one of which is pink with blue wheels. Camille says:

Motivated professional skier, downhill mountain biker, and experienced jump shaper, Arnaud Kugener (FRA) is head shaper for the SWATCH SKEIRS CUP. He does double duty while filming his skiing segment for PVS Company’s films, heading up design and construction on countless backcountry jumps and terrain park features, and then throwing massive tricks off those same jumps. He is also a shaper for Frostgun at Val d’Isère, and at the B&E Invitational at Les Arcs. Arnaud says:

“In both disciplines I want to see the following: Fluidity, aesthetics, and playfulness with the terrain. Balance is important; I want to see a good combination of big mountain lines and stylish tricks. And speed of course! Since this is a head-to-head format, speed will help riders stand out.”

“Backcountry Slopestyle is a unique discipline. Building the course is more complicated than working in a groomed terrain park. It takes a lot of creativity and planning to place the jumps in the right place on the slope. Then my team

PHOTO DAVID malacrida

PHOTO ELINA SIRPARANTA

CAMILLE JACCOUX (FRA)

and I have to move all the snow and build the jumps by hand instead of with a machine. But the reward is a powder landing, and amazing images!”

THE TROPHY

As the story of the SWATCH SKIERS CUP continues to grow with each edition, the individual battles that made up each competition fade into the past. But one object will always remain to represent the legacy of the event – the SWATCH SKIERS CUP trophy. The trophy is an iron ski boot, and its massive weight represents the honorable names of past winners that are engraved upon its base. When this year‘s champions stand on the podium and raise the trophy high, they‘re raising a symbol of the legendary history of the SWATCH SKIERS CUP.

PHOTO DOM DAHER

BIG MOUNTAIN A skiing spectacle unlike any other sporting event, the Big Mountain (a.k.a. freeride) discipline is filled with intimidating challenges and unknowns. Riders choose a line down a mountain most have never ridden before competition day, skiing full-throttle down thousands of feet of powder-covered steeps and cliff bands.

Sluff (noun)

Stomp (verb)

1. Fast moving, loose snow sliding on the surface of a slope. Caused by a skier descending a steep face of unconsolidated snow.

1. To land an air in a perfectly centered, balanced position. The ideal technique for landing.

PHOTO DAVID CARLIER

1. Skiing a run from top to bottom with little to no hesitation. Shows confidence, style, and ability.

PHOTO DOM DAHER

FLUIDITY (noun)

PHOTO DAVID CARLIER

UNNATURAL (adjective)

1. Describes skiing, taking off, and/or landing backwards.

1. Describes a rotation executed in the opposite direction of the way a skier is most comfortable.

PHOTO JEREMY BERNARD

A series of giant, perfectly sculpted jumps lead down a ridge before the course turns left to another set of ramps that launch riders into a steepsided canyon where even more perfectly groomed take-offs dot the cliffs and cornices below. The Matterhorn and other iconic 4,000-meter alpine peaks serve as the backdrop, and the entire course is covered with soft, untracked Swiss powder. This might sound like a video game, but at the SWATCH SKIERS CUP this is the Backcountry Slopestyle event.

Switch (adjective)

PHOTO DAVID CARLIER

BACKCOUNTRY SLOPESTYLE

DUB 10 (noun)

Tranny (noun)

1. A trick with two consecutive offaxis 540째 rotations. Can be executed switch or regular.

1. Short for transition, denotes the location on a landing slope where impact will be the least. Often the steepest part of the slope.

PHOTO JEREMY BERNARD

PHOTO DAVID CARLIER

PHOTO JEREMY BERNARD

RICHARD PERMIN

SWATCH brand & sports Swatch, launched in 1983 by Nicolas G. Hayek, is a leading Swiss watch maker and one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s most popular brands. The first Swatch watches surprised everyone with their revolutionary concept, creative design and provocative spirit. Today Swatch continues to innovate and surprise with new models, collections and special editions. The brand maintains a strong presence in the world of sports with its commitment to snowboarding, freeskiing, surfing, FMX and ice cross downhill. Right from the start, Swatch connected with art and artists, and Swatch watches remain a prominent canvas for artists from a broad range of disciplines.

COURTNEY CONLOGUE

WEBSITE swatch.com swatchskierscup.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/swatch facebook.com/swatchskierscup

MAT REBEAUD ANNE-FLORE MARXER

Elite performers from a wide range of exciting lifestyle and action sports make up the Swatch Proteam. From snowboarding and freeskiing to FMX, from surfing and beach volleyball to ice cross downhill, the Swatch Proteam is made up of unique, creative, personalities who share one thing in common - the ability to inspire. With a focus on performance, individuality and the will to go out and chase their dreams, Swatch Proteam athletes lead by example. Regardless of their chosen discipline, and of their status and success within it, they go about their sport with the same infectious enthusiasm they had for it as kids. Dedication, persistence, and passion make the Swatch Proteam some of the world‘s very finest talents in their field. Whether in water, air, snow or on the ground, Swatch Proteam athletes are proudly individual and daringly dynamic. They stretch the boundaries of self-expression, bringing the values of the brand to life: fun-loving, provocative and young at heart, unafraid to break the rules and to live life to the fullest.

KASSIA MEADOR

SWATCH PROTEAM

WEBSITE swatch.com/proteam FACEBOOK facebook.com/swatchproteam

LOOKING FAB! SWATCH LEAPS AHEAD TO SPRING - SUMMER COLLECTION 2014

Swatch makes a run for the sun with a brilliant assortment of new models in its Spring - Summer Collection 2014. Arresting interpretations of contemporary trends and fashion themes give rise to eye-popping,

exciting designs. The collection begins with the Classic theme, inspired by ideals of enduring elegance and beauty. Next up is Pastry Chefs, filled to overflowing with the soft, sweet colors of a candy shop.

Summer Classics follows, a luminous theme lit by all sorts of shining, metallic surfaces. Spring then takes a very trendy turn in For the Love of Patterns, a fascinating theme illustrating the explosi-

ve diversity of micro-patterns and fabric prints. Summer crashes in on the beaches of Islands Galore with a blast of bright colors and exhilarating energy. Finally, just up from the beach, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s heating up with

Le Swatch Dream Urban, which says you look best in trend-wise camouflage and vibrant, post-modern collages.

LOCATION: EVENT VILLAGE DATE: 8-10 JANUARY 2014 TIME: FROM 4.00-7.00 P.M.

PHOTO JEREMY BERNARD

SWATCH SKIERS CUP PUBLIC HAPPENINGS

The SWATCH SKIERS CUP is happy to welcome you to the official event village located at the heart of Zermatt next to the Swatch Store. Join us to soak in the incredible images of the event, savor a delicious raclette, and check out the latest Swatch collections. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t miss the bib draw and autograph session for a chance to meet your favorite riders. The festivities will come to a climax when the winning team stands atop the podium at the prize-giving ceremony on the main stage.

PHOTO DOM DAHER

Concerts, Animations, Autograph sessions, Movies, Mulled Wine, Raclette...

OFFICIAL PARTIES OPENING PARTY LOCATION: VERNISSAGE DATE: 4 JANUARY 2014 TIME: STARTS AT 10.30 P.M. The riders have arrived to town, they’ve walked down the red carpet past the paparazzi, and now they meet their opponents face to face. They’re dressed in “Vintage Zermatt” style, the theme for the night, and it appears to be a sophisticated evening out on the town. But an undercurrent of competitive intensity and expectation adds suspense to the opening night festivities.

PHOTO ZERMATT TOURISMUS

THEME PARTY:

“VINTAGE ZERMATT”

VERNISSAGE

BACKSTAGE HOTEL ZERMATT

CONTEST DAY 2 party

LOCATION: GEE‘S BAR DATE: DEPENDS ON CONTEST DAY, WILL BE CONFIRMED 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE TIME: STARTS AT 11.00 P.M.

LOCATION: PAPPERLA PUB DATE: DEPENDS ON CONTEST DAY, WILL BE CONFIRMED 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE TIME: STARTS AT 11.00 P.M.

The opening day of competition is in the books, and its time for the teams to relax at Gee‘s Bar on Bahnhofstrasse. It begins as a sophisticated evening, with captains Regnier and Auclair taking over the bar to prepare custom cocktails for their troops as the riders recount the highlights of the first round. But a full day of competition yet remains, so any round of drinks from the opposing team may be a trap, any debauchery just a decoy.

What’s done is done; the winning team has lifted the trophy. And though all 16 riders have given their hearts and souls for their teams, there will always be enough energy for the after party. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable night at Zermatt’s legendary Papperla Pub.

THEME PARTY:

“GENTLEMEn, suit up!”

PHOTO DOM DAHER

CONTEST DAY 1 Party

PHOTO DOM DAHER VERNISSAGE

BACKSTAGE HOTEL ZERMATT

Follow the SWATCH SKIERS CUP

swatchskierscup.com facebook.com/swatchskierscup twitter.com/skierscup #swatchskierscup

CLASSIC

SPRING - SUMMER COLLECTION 2014