Valérian Ducourtil wins the Tristan Picot Memorial Trophy.
Leysin, March 11, 2007 -- Franck April (Canada, 20) and Marie Hucal (USA, 15) became today the 2007 World Junior Champions of Slopestyle at the Billabong World Junior Pro Leysin, a 4-star TTR event.
However, the event was not completed due to strong winds on the snowpark of the Mont de Chaux. Organizers eventually called the event off, and took the semi-finals results to determine the winners.
As David Pitschi, contest director, later explained: "Unfortunately the wind didn't drop as much as expected, so we were forced to cancel the Finals. The safety of all riders is the main objective before anything else. And also we felt that none of the riders could have performed their best riding today. The riding level over the last couple of days was insane and it would have been a downer if we had seen a Final with only safety runs by the kids. At least now we have results from the best riding in the best possible conditions."
20 year-old Franck April, from Canada, had scored the highest points during the semi-finals, leading the 9-men final start list just 3 points ahead of Frenchman Arthur Longo.
Both April and Longo consistently impressed the panel of judges during the early stages of the competition.
Eventually, Franck April was awarded the World Junior Title, as well as a €8000 prize money and 700 points on the global TTR rankings.
"I am super happy. A proper final would have been better obviously, but trust me, I am not complaining at all! I am really stoked!", he commented after the ceremony."
15 year-old Marie Hucal from Michigan came out on top of the Girls competition with two solid runs in the semi-finals, claiming a maiden title with Hanna Laukkanen (FIN) in runner-up position.
" I am so happy I still can't believe it. I came all the way here and now my dream has become true", Marie explained shortly after the announcement. "There are so many people here from all over the world, and I am stoked to turn out to be the best one. For sure I would have loved to do a Final in order to show some more stuff, but this way I am happy too."
Marie takes home 700 points for the global TTR rankings and a €5.000 prize money.
The Tristan Picot Memorial, given to the most impressive amateur athlete, was awarded to Valérien Ducourtil (France, 19).
Valérien will receive unique media exposure in the pan European snowboard magazine METHOD MAG.
David Pitschi, organizer of the event, explains the decision of the judges: "Valérien has impressed us the most over the last couple of days here in Leysin! In each of his runs, he tried news tricks and even when he fell he tried to make it up with another innovative trick. Valérien has already a boardsponsor, and I hope this award will help him to take it to the next step of his career."
Valérien commented on the result: "I am so proud to have won this award. It means so much to me, because I knew Tristan as a good friend, and therefore this trophy has a very special meaning to me!"
As for the last representant of host country Switzerland, Nadja Putschvert, she finishes 6th in the final rankings.
"I had made a safety run in Round 1 to make it to the finals. And then I wanted to show it all, but it didn't turn out his way. Anyway, the result is good for me and I am happy. It was a great event and to be able to represent the swiss flag here in Leysin was for sure pretty cool!"
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Results Billabong World Junior Pro 2007
Boys:
1. Franck April (Canada, 20) 700 TTR points
2. Arthur Longo (France, 18) 659.61 TTR points
3. Micael Lundmark (Sweden, 17) 630 TTR points
4. Murray Hodgson (Canada, 20) 607.64 TTR points
5. Nick Sibayan (USA, 15) 589.68 TTR points
6. Wouter de Lange (Belgium, 17) 574 TTR points
7. Mathieu Daneau (Canada, 18) 559.15 TTR points
8. Andreas Gidlund (Sweden, 18) 546 TTR points
9. Sami Ikonen (Finland, 15) 534.35 TTR points
Girls:
1. Marie Hucal (USA, 15) 700 TTR points
2. Hanna Laukkanen (Finland, 19) 659.61 TTR points
3. Mirabelle Thovex (France, 15) 630 TTR points
4. Mandy Langbroek (Holland, 20) 607.64 TTR points
5. Diana Sadlowski (Poland, 20) 589.68 TTR points
6. Nadja Putschert (Sweden, 17) 574 TTR points
7. Alex Berg (USA, 14) 559.15 TTR points
8. Heidi Paumola (Finland, 19) 546 TTR points
9. Anouck Mouthon (France, 19) 534.35 TTR points
Tristan Picot Memorial Award 2007
Valérian Ducourtil (France, 19)
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