Munich, March 7th 2016: The FMB Diamond Series is back! As we speak the top FMB athletes are jet setting across the globe to New Zealand for the initial FMB Diamond Series stop at Crankworx Rotorua. This season, the FMB Diamond Series ranking will be made up of five events: all four Diamond stops and, the best result from a Gold event, taking place before the last Diamond stop. The top eight athletes from 2015 are pre-qualified for the Diamond Series and the season finale will return to the home of slopestyle, Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx Whistler. Supporters can follow all the live action from New Zealand this weekend on Red Bull TV.
The 2016 world title battle will commence at the first Diamond event, Crankworx Rotorua on March 12th. With the first points on the board, it will become clear who put in the extra effort in the off-season. Athletes will then have eleven weeks to fine-tune their tricks before the second stop, Crankworx Les Gets (FRA). The third event will be shortly after at Swatch Prime Line (GER) as part of the MASH Action Sports Festival at Munich’s Olympic Park. While in previous years, the season finale was held at the infamous Red Bull Rampage, this season, the showdown will be held at the fourth Diamond stop and the mecca of slopestyle: Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx Whistler.
Diamond stops are the toughest, biggest and most competitive events in the sport. However, Gold events are also crucial for having a well-rounded season, which is why the fifth result counting towards an athlete’s standing in the Diamond Series will be from a Gold event. Their best result from any Gold event, held before the finale at Crankworx Whistler will count for the overall result. Supporting progression is a major goal of the FMB World Tour. Which is why this is also a great opportunity for upcoming riders, who might not yet be invited to Diamond stops, gain experience competing against the very best in the sport. Heavy weight Gold events, like the newly upgraded Swatch Rocket Air (SUI) and long-standing contests, 26TRIX in Leogang (AUT) and the Colorado Freeride Festival in Winterpark (USA) are all confirmed. The FISE World Series will bring three Gold events to the tour this year as well, including MTB contests in Montpellier (FRA), Chengdu (CHI) and Edmonton (CAN). The latter two events however, take place after the Diamond Series finale on August 20th.
The top slopestyle athletes are gearing up for another epic throw down at the world’s toughest events. After a remarkable 2015 season, will Thomas Genon be able to stay on top? Maybe Brett Rheeder will breakthrough and bring home the world title he has come so close to clinching in the past. Or perhaps trick machine, Nicholi Rogatkin will ride to the top. The FMB Diamond Series is their proving ground.
Thomas Genon / photo: wolisphoto.com
Competing in the FMB Diamond Series, athletes’ efforts will count towards the most elite world ranking in the sport. The top 8 Diamond Series riders from last season are automatically invited to compete at all 2016 Diamond Events. The remaining spots will be decided based on the FMB World Ranking – taken four weeks before each Diamond event as well as deserving wildcards.
Athletes that are not pre-qualified for the Diamond stops will have to secure their invitations at the Gold and Silver events, the FMBA will hand out two wildcards for each Diamond Event. With the inclusion of a Gold event result in the FMB Diamond Series, there is plenty of motivation to climb the rankings. More information about Silver and Bronze events can be found on the FMB World Tour website. A full FMB World Tour calendar will be published soon.
Like the newly upgraded Swatch Rocket Air (SUI) and long-standing contests, 26TRIX in Leogang (AUT) and the Colorado Freeride Festival in Winterpark (USA) are all confirmed. The FISE World Series will bring three Gold events to the tour this year as well, including MTB contests in Montpellier (FRA), Chengdu (CHI) and Edmonton (CAN). The latter two events however take place after the Diamond Series finale on August 20th.
The breakdown:
- FMB Diamond Series comprises of 5 results: 4 Diamond events plus 1 Gold event result prior to August 20th 2016
- Season finale will take place at Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx Whistler
- Silver and Bronze event applications are still open. Hosts can apply here
- Follow RBTV for Live event broadcasts
- Athletes can still register for their FMB license, here
Useful links:
More information about the Diamond Series can be found on the FMB World Tour website: fmbworldtour.com. For news and updates follow FMB World Tour on: facebook.com/fmbworldtour & twitter.com/fmbworldtour and instagram.com/fmbworldtour.