As a part of the Rock A Rail Ski & Snowboard Tour 2025 introduced by Snowfest, the tour caravan made its second cease of the autumn season in Thun (SUI). The Freestyle Roots Festival celebrated its fifth anniversary with 8.000 guests, a weekend totally devoted to freestyle sports activities, their distinctive way of life, and a vibrant neighborhood spirit. From October 10-12, Thun was within the highlight as Rock A Rail introduced winter proper into the guts of town.
The essence of the Rock A Rail Tour, now in its third 12 months, lies in road snowboarding and road snowboarding. No different format represents rail contests at such a excessive degree. Progressive and artistic setups that includes technically demanding rails and options problem the riders to their limits whereas providing countless alternatives for creativity. On the spectacular construction, 8 meters large, 7 meters excessive, and 40 meters lengthy together with the touchdown – riders showcased what’s potential on one or two boards.
In the ladies’s snowboard class, Anne-Sophie Lechon (BEL), a well-recognized face at Rock A Rail, took third place. Mia Langridge (GBR) impressed along with her unmistakable road type and a spectacular Change Bottom Frontside 270, securing second place. The judges praised her “free” driving type – precisely how road snowboarding ought to look. Defending her title with ease, Swiss rider Livia Tannò as soon as once more claimed the win. She landed almost each trick, together with a Change 50-50 on the Down Flat Down Rail. As the one lady to tackle the Flat Down Rail with a 50-50 to 50-50, she rode persistently, technically clear, and with a cool road angle, merely unbeatable that night time.
The boys’s closing introduced some surprises: Swiss Olympian Nicolas Huber entered his first-ever basic rail jam and shocked everybody with a powerful fifth place. 2024 Tour Champion Leon Gütl completed fourth. Third place went as soon as once more to Petr Ershov (RUS), who delivered stable, clear, and dependable tips all through. Making a exceptional comeback after an harm break, Fricz Botondi (HUN) impressed as arguably probably the most fashionable rider of the competition. He wowed the judges with what was thought of the very best trick of the day, a Bottom Tailslide 270 Out on the Down Flat Down Rail. Pure road angle. However the largest shock of the night time got here from simply 16-year-old Colin Frans (USA): after taking third place on the Rock A Rail Kick-Off per week earlier, he claimed his first main victory in Thun. Making full use of the whole setup, he showcases tips akin to a Cab 270 Frontboard on the Down Flat Down Rail and a Change Frontboard to Pretzel Out on the C-Rail.
The freeski competitors additionally delivered top-tier motion, with numerous driving types and a formidable ability degree throughout the board. Anouck Brodard (SUI) completed third, with Lou Carraz (FRA) taking second. The victory went to Ellen Damsgaard (DEN), celebrating her first Rock A Rail win. She impressed with a variety of tips and a assured, managed efficiency on each function. In the lads’s area, 2024 Thun champion Michael Oravec (SVK) returned to defend his title. Though he couldn’t repeat final 12 months’s victory, he delivered the very best trick, a Switch Flat to Double Kinked Rail 630 Out to the Backside. The standout of the day was Tyler Nicholls (IRL), who impressee with selection, creativity, and sensible line selections, profiting from each a part of the setup. Behind him, Nils Rhyner (SUI) and Jeremy Boiston (FRA) accomplished the rostrum in second and third place.
For the third time, Rock A Rail was a part of the Freestyle Roots Festival, and Thun has probably by no means seen such a powerful rider lineup. In the legendary Freestyle Roots “Battle of Freestyle”, the place completely different sports activities went head-to-head, the winter athletes narrowly missed out on victory to the bike riders. The setup was a real present stage for this event, with rapid-fire motion and crowd-pleasing performances. Huge due to Swiss-Ski for working not the qualification on Friday with the winners taking the final spot for Saturday’s Rock A Rail. Swiss-Ski additionally took over the ramp with kids-friendly options on Sunday for the Youngsters Shred.
That wraps up the second cease of the Rock A Rail Ski & Snowboard Tour 2025. Subsequent up: Snowfest Innsbruck, from November 21–23, 2025, one of many absolute highlights of the tour. Riders can seize the ultimate spots on November 16 through the open qualification for snowboarders and freeskiers at Hintertux Glacier. Registration opens quickly at www.snowfest.eu.
Rock A Rail Thun 2025 Outcomes:
Snowboard Ladies:
1. Livia Tannò, SUI
2. Mia Langridge, GBR
3. Anne-Sophie Lechon, BEL
Snowboard Males:
1. Colin Frans, USA
2. Fricz Botondi, HUN
3. Petr Ershov, RUS
Ski Ladies:
1. Ellen Damsgaard, DEN
2. Lou Carraz, FRA
3. Anouck Brodard, SUI
Ski Males:
1. Tyler Nicholls, IRL
2. Nils Rhyner, SUI
3. Jeremy Boiston, FRA
Extra info: www.snowfest,eu, www.rockarail.tv, www.freestyleroots.ch
