Livigno (ITA), September 10th, 2015 –Though the contest part of Suzuki Nine Knights MTB often takes the limelight, in reality the whole week of freeriding in Livigno, Italy is equally important. The riders work closely with the media teams and photographers to capture some unforgettable moments in the picturesque setting of Mottolino Fun Mountain. It’s about perfecting the style and trick, catching it from a creative angle, often with an added twist of natural beauty like the golden glow of the setting sun or the dark ominous clouds. Running a day early form 29th of August till the 4thof September the 2015 edition did not fail to show some of the best sides of the sport.
Photo-shoots
Uncertain forecast for the week seemed to fuel the riders to go even harder, making the peer-judged final awards even harder to determine. “Ruler of the Week” Peter Henke (GER), who apart from nailing a winner “Full Line” in the contest, impressed with a backflip over the Buff step-down, and skating the Monster Skate ramp with Szymon Godziek (POL) jumping over him. The sessions on the main jump saw Sam Pilgrim (GBR) going huge transferring from the left kicker over to the right landing, fellow Brits Blake Samson and Sam Reynolds having a Whip Off and Adolf Silva (ESP) stomping his huge double backflip, while Torquato Testa (ITA) and Godziek took time to carefully coordinated the winner “Best GoPro shot”, a glance swopped mid-air. A clear highlight was the performances of the young gun Nicholi Rogatkin (USA) who nailed a world first cashroll on his DH bike as well as a cork 720 also on his big bike. The man is clearly ready for Rampage. Many beautiful sun set shoots, like the hip session saw more good vibes and everyone hiking, cheering and going full speed to get maximum air time.
The Knighthood
The spirit of the event cannot quite be put into words; it is about fun and pushing the sport forward. All part of creating the good vibes from the side-line, and ultimately judging the contest were Sweden’s recovering athletes Anton Thelander and Martin Söderström, along with event host Andi Wittmann (GER) and later Gully Gulevich (CAN). To find out more about all the various peer voted awards from the week head over to nineknightmtb.com where also the four invited photographers photos are viewable, and full report from the contest day, where Italian ripper Diego Caverzasi who took the “Castle Section” win and Henke the “Full Line” award. Follow us @nineknights.
