Swatch O’Neill Big Mountain Pro 2008

By Transworld
Tue, Mar 4 2008 12:00 am | Comments

The Jeremy Jones takes first place and a check for 10,000 euros. Xavier de le Rue finished second and Mitch Toelderer third. Jeremy Jones was also unanimously selected by his peers for the Riders Award.

From atop Italy, competitors and media look across to venue number two, located in France. Due to poor snow conditions the course was deemed too much, and the day's competition was canceled. Several riders took the opportunity to hike and freeride Les Kar

Lost in Italy! Our bus can't make the tight turn.

Mitch Toelderer drops in on venue two. Due to less than ideal conditions, there was a split in the competitors on whether it should be held. By a narrow margin the majority voted to continue with the event.

Stephan Gimpl makes his way down venue one. Conditions were epic despite the lack of recent snowfall. With approximately 4,000 vertical feet to ride, competitors were stoked to kick off the event on such a massive scale.

Stefan Gimpl navigates the steep peppers.

Riders empty out of the tram at the Plan de l'Aiguille and make their way to rope up for the sketchy entrance into the Valle Blanche.

Mitch Toelderer huffs it up. Not all locations were heli-accessed. This site in Les Karcellis, Italy provided a roundabout hike to freeride a northwest facing couloir.

Mitch Toelderer threads his way along some heavy exposure.

The legendary town of La Grave was the stage for the rider judging and farewell party.

Unknown rider sends it down the fall line.

Jeremy Jones riding his line. Jeremy's line selection throughout the event was strong and aggressive. His mountain knowledge and ability to creatively piece together cliff bands and exit points led him to a check for $10,000 euros.

Nothing like the smell of a heli in the morning. Dawn comes with a ride up to venue two.

Bracing for the blast. Event director Niicolas Hale-Woods braces against impending heli wash. Niicolas provided the best conditions that would be had under the situation, utilizing contacts and guides in six locations in four countries.

Gear to go: Backpacks boards and everything else gets airlifted to the top.

Nothing like the smell of a heli in the morning. Dawn comes with a ride up to venue two.

Austrian Flo Orley comes down the final venue. Flo was the winner of the Russian extremes and took second at the recent Mammoth Extremes.

Austrian riders Flo Oreley and Mitch Toelderer poach a roof at the Plan de l'Aiguille.

Meat, It's what's for dinner in Switzerland!

Swede David Magnusson comes down venue one. "The conditions were perfect," said David. "Quite a long run, I felt the burn about half way down." With approximately 4,000 verticle the venue truly tested the endurance and mental stamina.

Swiss rider Cyril Neri rips his line with camera in tow. Remembering to smile for the camera was the most difficult thing he recalls about the run. Cyril the comedian was always creating moments of entertainment for the group. Winner of the 2006 and 1998

Swiss rider Cyril Neri rips his line.

Swiss rider Cyril Neri rips his line with camera in tow.

Feels like spring time in Chamonix.

Chamonix local cruising town for chicks.

Don't forget to pray to something before riding in Chamonix!

The 2008 Swatch Big Mountain Pro bus hightails it to Italy in search of powder. Spring like conditions in Europe made the quest for fresh lines a real challenge.

Alex Coudray high above Chamonix after completing the Valle Blance at sunset. To kick off the event everyone rode the impressive valley to a ancient lodge for a booter session and dinner.

Stephan Gimpl and a judge cut loose in La Grave.

It just got worse from here!

Videographer Ivan Zwahlen, a Swedish skier, and snowboarder Julien Falco feel the love.

La Grave party--I think this is when that song from C and C Music Factory came on.

Get your strange on. The La Grave farwell party turns weird with the opening band ¿Pamela Burnes & Zifridi.¿ Definitely a good strange- with some solid thrash and impressive tire juggling.

CATEGORIZED: Backcountry, Contest Gallery, Photo Gallery, Photos, Travel
TAGS: alpes, europe, freeride contest, Powder, Snowboarding

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