As we found out in our recent interview with Windfinder Kitesurf Team member Jan Schiegnitz, he has strong roots in snowboarding and snowkiting. Two weeks ago, he participated in his first-ever snowkite contest at the German Snowkite Championships at Lake Resia. And he became German Snowkite Champion 2010 - congratulations to Jan! Here is his report about the event:
At the border triangle, which is formed by Switzerland, Austria and Italy right in the middle of Europe, lies the contemplative town of Resia. Resia has made a name for itself as a snowkite destination over the past years, and has been home to the German Snowkite Championships for three consecutive winters now. The spot lived up to its reputation of providing good snow conditions, constant wind and great parties once again. With consideration to the international field of competitors, the event committee also awarded the additional title of Snowkite World Champion 2010.
The contest took place on the frozen Lake Resia from the 28th to the 31st of January. With six kilometres in length, and one kilometre in width its large surface offered ample room for a snowkite park, and a spacious racing course. The forecast looked pretty good, and proved true throughout the event. Three partially sunny, partially cloudy days with wind speeds from 6 to 11 knots satisfied the event coordinators. 70 participants from various countries all across the globe, such as Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Norway came to the frozen lake to compete in the disciplines freestyle and race. Just after the first official possible start freestyle heat number one began. Unfortunately the wind dropped shortly afterwards, the heat had to be postponed, and it was therefore decided to change the programme to course racing. Five buoys were positioned all across the lake, and marked a huge course. Around these buoys the racers had to ride for twenty minutes. The best ones managed to circle the course five times. Every round thus promised vigorous exercise, and a good workout for abdomen, legs and butt. Until dusk two races had been run, and the first day of the contest came to an end.
Saturday started with slightly stronger wind, and satisfied the freestyle riders. Besides the morning greeted us with sunshine, a combination that guaranteed a spectacular show by the world's best snowkiters. The previously discontinued heat was started over, and with snowboard and ski judging taking turns the discipline could be completed. The event had also attracted the world's best female snowkiters. On skies Kari Schibevaag from Norway won flawlessly against Kathrin Fischer from Germany, and Ginette Pearson from Canada. Iris Tonak from Germany came out first against Caroline Onarheim Moelgaard from Norway, and Astrid Berz from Germany in the snowboarders' category. In the men's division the Norwegian power of Remi Meum on snowboard and Björn Kaupang on skies set a high standard. Both showed powerful wakestyle on snow, and defined the style and the tricks of the event. Björn fought successfully against Daniel Schurr (Germany), and the new German Champion on ski Marian Hund to take home the World Champion's title. I had the honour to meet with Remi in the semi finals. Despite the defeat it was a pleasure to ride with such an icon of snowkiting in my first snowkite contest. The level was almost the same as on water in spite of the light winds. Tricks like fs 360 indy, s-bend to blind, kgb grabbed, slim chance, frontmobe were shown. On the other side of the heat order the Austrians Heinar Brandstätter, and Oliver Panny fought each other for second, and fourth place respectively. Remi maintained undefeated. He literally celebrated his fascinating wakestyle on snow. Almost as a matter of course he showed low mobes on the ice, which was covered by just a few centimetres of snow. At the end of the day two further races could be run. The bad wind forecast for the next day encouraged the riders to a huge party. On the fabulous Schwerelosigkite Party in the „Bergstadel" everybody celebrated the awesome day in the snowkite park.
On Sunday only a few more races took place. Markus Pompl from Germany won both the German, and the World Champion's title. He successfully outpaced Michael Kaspar, and Willy Rinnerthaler from Germany.
In bright sunshine, with an impressive landscape surrounding us a successful German Snowkite Championship ended. It crowned a new World Champion at the same time, and presented by way of example the fun, versatility and the potential of the young sport Snowkiting. Cu in 2011!
Text by Jan Schiegnitz, images by Jens Hogenkamp
