SPECTACULAR ROCK A RAIL TOUR KICK-OFF IN THUN AT FREESTYLE ROOTS

A spectacular start to the Rock A Rail Tour 2024! Last weekend, around 8.000 spectators gathered at Freestyle Roots in Thun to celebrate the fusion of freestyle and music. For the second time, the Rock A Rail Ski and Snowboard Tour kicked off in Thun (October 12th), marking the first of three stops this fall. Livia Tannò (SUI) took first place in the women’s snowboard category, while the men’s snowboard title went to Nick Pünter (also SUI). Slovak skier Michael Oravec claimed the win in the Street-Ski contest.

The Rock A Rail Tour, now in its second year, unveiled a new, challenging setup in Thun. The “Rock A Rail Cage” offers riders a variety of options to explore the entire setup and push their creativity to the limit. Participants embraced the challenge, delivering an impressive show for the Freestyle Roots audience.

Rock A Rail Snowboard – With a strong rider’s field of 16 women and 16 men from 12 countries, the snowboarders impressed with their heavy tricks. Among the women, Livia Tannò (SUI) wowed the judges with her technically demanding moves, including an impressive “Switch 50-50” on the kink rail. She claimed a well-deserved victory ahead of 2023 Rock A Rail Tour Champion Paula Benito (ESP) and Anne-Sophie Lechon (BEL). In the men’s category, Canadian riders Truth Smith and Frank Jobin quickly emerged as favorites. Truth secured third place with a standout “Hard Way Gap Cab 270 to Backside Lipslide to Fakie” on the kink rail. The surprise of the day was Swiss rider Nick Pünter, who dominated the setup with his versatility, earning him first place. “Absolutely amazing setup; all the riders gave it their all. I’ve always been pretty creative, and this was my chance to show what I can do,” said Pünter.

Rock A Rail Ski – The street-skiers put on an outstanding show as well. Swiss skier Tim Aufdermauer took third place, delighting the home crowd. Bendik Rasmussen (NOR) pulled of a “Left Foot Forward Front Swap Transfer Front 2”, earning second place. Michael Oravec from Slovakia claimed his first Rock A Rail title, saying, “I landed a couple of my tricks, missed a few, but I gave it everything. It’s so crazy to win here.”

All winners got their direct tickets for the tour finale in The Hague. The top three of each category are already looking forward to the next Rock A Rail stop at Snowfest Innsbruck from November 22 – 24, 2024. In Innsbruck, the female skiers will also join the action for the first time this autumn.

1. Livia Tannò (SUI)

2. Paula Benito (ESP)

3. Anne-Sophie Lechon (BEL)

1. Nick Puenter (SUI)

2. Franck Jobin (CAN)

3. Truth Smith (CAN)

1. Michael Oravec (SVK)

2. Bendik Rasmussen (NOR)

3. Tim Aufdermauer (SUI)

For more information, visit: www.snowfest.eu, www.rockarail.tv

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