Brace yourself for a jam-packed week of MTB action! About 200 rookies are expected to head to the MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis from July 31 to August 6 in pursuit of the fastest time and bags of fun. The festival kicks off with the “Rookie Camp” and concludes with hundreds of downhill talents from all over Europe sending it during “Kona Rookies Games” on the first weekend of August. Every single one of them will be aiming to show their skills on the downhill and pump track in order to have a chance at becoming an unofficial youth World Champion or “Festival King & Queen”. Wondering what these days full of craziness may look like? The clip reveals more:
The spotlight will be on the young shredders at Bikepark Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis this August. From July 31 the “Rookie Camp” will treat 30 kids from the age of 11 to 18 to six days of shredding through the bike park and on the legendary Frommestrail, where they will improve their skills and meet new friends from all over Europe. A dedicated team surrounding UCI Masters Downhill World Champion Alice Kühne will help improve the riding technique of the young downhillers and freeriders. The package also includes a workshop on how to maintain bikes thanks to the “Kona Pit and Servicecenter” and the kids will get some insight on how to handle bike media in another special workshop.
The experienced team of coaches also consists of the two Kona athletes Jonathan and Leah Maunsell, who will be passing on their experience and knowledge to the champions of tomorrow. All rookies are required to be equipped with protective gear and full-face helmets. Equipment can be hired on site and each “Rookie Camp” participant will receive a discount.
Head over to the website for more information about registration and the program: bikepark-sfl.at/en/latest/events/mtb-festival2017/rookie-camp
High-speed race action will conclude this year’s MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. Last year about 200 young shredders headed to the three villages set in the Tyrolean mountains of Austria for the “Kona Rookie Games”. Hundreds of young talents will be back for two races from August 3-6 in search of the perfect line and in pursuit of the fastest time. The race weekend is not only accessible to the “Rookie Camp” participants, but to everyone, who wants to jump on their bike and shred the demanding downhill track in Bikepark Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. Registration is now open: bikepark-sfl.at/en/latest/events/mtb-festival2017/general-infos
The “Pasta Party” will kick off the “Kona Rookie Games” on Thursday from 5pm in order to get those batteries charged for a weekend packed with downhill racing. The compulsory training starts at 9am on Friday morning giving all registered athletes their first opportunity to get accustomed to the track and search for the perfect line. Everyone will be able to unwind a little in the afternoon during the “Pumptrack Session”. The session is also the first contest, which will count toward the category “Festival King & Queen“. The results from the “Pumptrack Session”, the “Specialized Rookies Cup” and “iXS International Rookies Championships” will be taken into account in order to determine the best all-rounders.
High-speed and technical downhill racing will be the main focal point during the “Specialized Rookies Cup” on Saturday and vital points will be up for grabs for the new race series from 1pm. This first contest experience will be essential for the unofficial youth World Championships “iXS International Rookies Championships”, which follow on Sunday from 12pm. Relatives will also be able to be part of the fun thanks to the “Family Challenge”. Grown-ups will send it as best as they can in the morning and the times will be added to those of their sons, daughters, nephews or nieces during the “iXS International Rookies Championships”. The fastest team wins!
What did the rookies, coaches and parents have to say about the MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis last year?
Jonathan Maunsell, Kona Athlete and Rookie Camp Coach 2016:
Every year we have young, highly motivated kids – absolute shredders! It’s great fun to ride with them, share some tips and get them to ride faster.
Leah Maunsell, Kona Women Ambassador & Rookie Camp Participant 2016:
It was a great week riding with so many shredders my own age. I can’t wait to get racing!
Reiner Goeweil, “Family Challenge” Participant:
It was great fun, the track is super and it was just great to be riding with my son.
Anastasia Thiele (GER):
The track is mint and it was great fun.
Valentina Höll (AUT):
I’m totally out of breath. It was a sick race. We were five friends competing here today and we had so much fun together as well.
Gabriel Wibmer (AUT):
I can’t believe it. It’s just rad!
Adam Beaty (GBR):
It feels great to get down here in one piece and to show a good run!
For more information about Bikepark Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis visit our website: bikepark-sfl.at or facebook.com/bikepark.serfaus.fiss.ladis. Find more information on the region Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis visit: serfaus-fiss-ladis.at or facebook.com/serfausfissladis.
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Photos: Christian Waldegger