What a fantastic event!  The Serfaus weather was kind, the girls were ready and the atmosphere was just buzzing.  Earlier on in the day, during qualifications, the snow flurries set in reducing visibility but soon cleared up with bright sunny spells shining as the afternoon wore on and the finals took place.

All in all there were nineteen girls who took part on the women's contest and three in the juniors.  Eleven went through to the women's finals and deciding judges Julia (Baumgartner) and Vinzenz Lüps were impressed with the standard of riding which had improved from even last year's event.  First, second and third places were clear whilst placing four to eight made for some difficult decisions.  

Founder and Head Designer of Nikita Clothing Heida Birgisdottir was in Serfaus to witness the contest and give away prizes as well to do some shredding herself.  When asked, she said that "it's great to see how much the girls are progressing, not only in tricks, but also in style. I'm stoked that we at Nikita have been able to create an event where the girls get together and push each other without the often not so pleasant 'contest pressure' in the air. They are just hanging out and chatting between runs, the atmosphere is super friendly - and I think that's exactly why they are pushing themselves to new levels here today. This is also what makes the Nikita Chickita, as an event, a pure success."

Here's the WOMENS FINALS RESULTS

1.    Ana Rumiha (Croatia)
2.    Bohdana Å ebestová (Czech Republic)
3.    Maude Richon (Switzerland)
4.    Anja Stefan (Croatia)
5.    Elena Kenz (Switzerland)
6.    Sandy Gecek (Austria)
7.    Hanka Voyteckovska (Czech Republic)
8.    Helen Wyss (Switzerland)
9.    Agnieszka Rusin (Poland)
10.    Cristina Tuberosa (Italy)
11.    Sandra Graf (Switzerland)

...and the JUNIORS FINALS RESULTS

1.    Katarzyna Rusin (Poland)
2.    Sophie Gogl (Austria)
3.    Viktoria Bayer (Austria)

Ana Rumiha competed last year and just missed out on a podium place in the women's finals by finishing 4th, this year she was a clear winner with some really safe and stylish runs.  She did three different runs in the finals, the last of which was awesome.  It consisted of a backside 180, frontside 360 indy and she was the only girl who bonked the tree with a nice frontside 180, then frontside 360 on the wall.  She won 1,000 Euros and the coveted one-year Nikita contract.  

Next up Nikita's Czech Republic team rider Bohdana Å ebestová showed versatility, grabbing second place and 500 Euros with a backside 360 tailgrab, backside 180, was the only competitor to gap the kinked box to 50:50 and then pulled a rock revert on the wall.  Closely behind followed Maude Richon in a much deserved third place and 250 Euros.  The Swiss Nikita team rider started her best run with a nose grab, backside 360 melon, clinched an impressive move on the butterbox to nosepress on the picnic table before finishing with a rock revert on the wall.    

The juniors pulled some pretty nifty moves too with fourteen year old winner Katarzyna Rusin from Poland getting first place with a frontside 180, super stylish backside air, 50:50 to boardslide on the kinked box and frontside 360 on the wall.  

Sandra Graf, a competitor in the junior's finals last year, now at just 17, was able to compete in the women's competition.  She made the final cut and is definitely worth a mention as the only girl to have tried and landed a backflip off the big kicker.  

The day's competitors along with Judge Julia and Vinzenz commented that the park was looking super good.  The finals were blessed with some sun and all the girls were happy to ride.  The riding was impressive and what really stood out was the quality of the Eastern Europe riders.  This year all the girls did rotations in comparison to last year and all obstacles on the fine course were used, absolutely nothing was left out.  All in attendance had the pleasure of MC Christian "Ã-fi" Ofner from Pleasure snowboard magazine keeping everyone in the know about the riders competing and humorous commentary in between!

The shapers, led by Mexx (head shaper) and Flori, did an excellent job with the course and also included a self made ice bar to serve drinks and BBQ food throughout the day.  All were kept fed and watered to a high satisfaction!  You can check out the park and some great pictures at www.2high.at.

Nikita Chickita is a relaxed open slopestyle snowboard contest for girls only.  Riders came from all over including Italy, Croatia, UK, Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, USA and Canada.  

Nikita would like to thank all the girls who came along and took part in the Nikita Chickita 2008.  Also a big mention to this year's sponsors Cooler, Onboard and Serfaus resort plus Skullcandy, Red Bull and Les Ettes for all the product they provided which went to winners and competitors.  It was a fantastic day all round and we're already looking forward to next years!

www.nikitaclothing.com/nikitachickita