In the ultimate slushy shred-fest, Clemens Millauer, Anna Gasser and Niclas Bothe brought home the bucks from the Vans Hi-Standard this weekend.
As the Vans family assembled in Mayrhofen, the sun shone and snowboarders from across Europe dropped into the Zillertal valley for the penultimate stop on 2015’s Vans Hi-Standard series. While the weather didn’t hold, the atmosphere did, seeing some of the continent’s finest registering for the main event and good vibes on the hill.
In a format that holds style above all else - famously prohibiting rotations over 720 – the Vans Hi-Standard Big Air saw a slushy showdown of style as the likes of Tyler Chorlton, Kalle Ohlson and Rowan Coultas threw it down amongst Austrian rippers Anna Gasser and Clemens Millauer.
The Austrians were killing it on the kicker, with fine examples of that timeless staple of style - the bs 180 Japan – being lofted by both Alex Walch and Florian Heim, Clemens Millauer’s inverted fs 540, as well as Benny Wetscher’s switch bs 540 nosegrab all being highlights of the Jam Session. However, it wasn’t only the locals who impressed: Henry Shackleton’s (UK) switch underflip, Scotland’s Marc McClement’s sweet bs 540 mute stiffy and a cross-handed rocket air from Linus Birkendahl’s (DE) also impressed the judges.
With the kicker session done, the riders replenished their energy levels with rum-doused Waffles before moving to the rail section, and battling it out for the Van Doren Best Rail Trick. With a selection of rails, boxes and transitions to hit, creativity was the name of the game. Continuing the Jam format, the riders went all out to bag the Van Doren Dollars. Jamie Trinder’s boardslide on the wallride to nollie flip out was a crowd pleaser, as was Florian Heim’s blunt 450, and Kevin Trammer’s bs lipslide to pretzel out earned him some cash, too.
As the rail session finished up and enticing smells from the Van Doren BBQ drifted across the slopes, it was Kevin and Clemens Millauer left to go head to head. With Kevin coming unstuck on his final trick, Clemens closed the show with a flawless bs 360 to 50-50 to bs 360 out, and with it, deservedly took the accolade of ‘Best Overall’ rider and a healthy wad of cash. Joining him in filling their pockets with Van Doren Dollars were ‘Best Female’: Anna Gasser, and ‘Best Rookie’: Niclas Bothe. The less sought-after award for ‘Best Slam’ fell – literally - to Anthony Indawood, for his spicy looking taco on the down-rail.
2015 Vans Hi-Standard Mayrhofen Results
BEST OVERALL: Clemens Millauer (Austria)
BEST FEMALE: Anna Gasser (Austria)
BEST ROOKIE: Niclas Bothe (Germany)
BEST SLAM: Anthony Indawood (Netherlands)
Once the cash was dished out and the BBQ was done, the party moved to Mayrhofen’s Scotland Yard Pub, where Disco Dogs took to the decks and kept the moves coming until the wee hours.
With that, another damn fine Vans Hi-Standard event drew to a close. The 2015 series wraps up on March 28th in the American resort of Big White, British Columbia.
Thanks to all those involved – from shapers and shredders to MCs and the good people of Mayrhofen. Until next time, keep an eye on Vans.com/snow for news and exclusive content.