The race even went through a tunnel. Pictured: Switzerland’s Joos Berry.
Red Bull Content Pool / Ondrej Kolacek
The special thing regarding Andermatt: the drivers might choose their own route.
Red Bull Content Pool / Ondrej Kolacek
Tunnels, jumps over opponents, big flights – everything was there at the Red Bull Superskicross. On Friday (for the trials) and Saturday for the race, the best ski cross athletes gathered in Andermatt, more precisely on the Gemsstock, to compete one last time this season.
Swiss Olympic heroes Fanny Smith, Ryan Regez and Alex Fiva were also present at the event. Despite fatigue following a busy season, the medalists and Olympic Games winner were looking forward to the two-distance event.
The race didn’t go equally well for all Olympic heroes. Gold winner Ryan Regez missed his chances of progress with a penalty just following the start. After the race he said: “I didn’t show my best skiing and with such top skiers it’s just not enough.” However, he was able to process the end very quickly: «I am very satisfied with my season. In ski cross it’s sometimes just fast, “said the 29-year-old to 20 minutes. No wonder: with an Olympic victory and the overall World Cup.
Fiva has to overtake two competitors in the final
Smith and Fiva, on the other hand, fared better. With strong runs they qualified for the final. It wasn’t enough for the victory, but it was the second place. Somewhat surprisingly, Jonas Lenherr also made it onto the podium. Especially for the 33-year-old Swiss, as he wasn’t actually part of the original starting field and was only nominated because of injuries. After the race he said: “Sensational, for a long time I didn’t know if I might drive, but I was just available and said, of course I’ll do it.”
Alex Fiva, who was there last year, also enjoyed his second place: «I was able to overtake where I never thought it was possible. I did my best and had cool heats. In the final I had to overtake two, that was a bit much. But then on the podium, that’s great.” Fanny Smith was also happy in the end, even though she would of course have liked to win, as she explained in advance: “I think all the athletes are happy with the competition.” Smith continues: “For us it’s something completely different, it’s real ski cross and we really love ski cross. It’s just wonderful to end the season with that.”
One more jump?
By the way: Despite all the positive feedback, the athletes have already made suggestions for improvement for the next edition of the Red Bull Superskicross. “I love big jumps, one more would certainly be possible,” said the winner of the men’s Reece Howden, for example. Smith agreed: “There might be one more.” We’ll see what the organizers come up with next year. Some background knowledge: A new possible start was already built this year, which will still be tested by athletes on Sunday. So maybe the next edition will offer even more spectacle.
