Final spurt at Spring in the Park

THURSDAY, 12 APRIL 2007

Still a few days to shred at SPRING IN THE PARK: Germany's spring camp on Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is still open until Sunday, April 15. And the weather forecast for the remaining days predicts just the same perfect conditions the riders also enjoyed over the last two weeks. The ideal opportunity to test the newest K2 and RIDE products or to take some coaching lessons and learn new tricks on rails and kickers.

Last week, especially the female snowboarders and skiers romped around at the Funpark Zugspitze. After the Girl's week, Easter Saturday saw a first highlight of the two SPRING IN THE PARK weeks, the Old School Contest. 29 participants wearing cool 80s outfits revived the tricks from the early days of snowboarding and the years before twin tip skis were invented. The winners were rewarded with day tickets for Zugspitze and goods by K2 and RIDE.

Old School Contest: purple, neon, yellow.
Ludwig Ochs was took the prize for wearing the best outfit sporting a purple overall, neon yellow ski boots, a pilot's cap and old goggles. Apart from the old fashioned clothing, also the pleasure of seeing the old school tricks again provided a lot of good laughs and admiration among the spectators.

At the snowboarders' contest, back flips and front flips, one footers and handplants were hot. Spins of more than 540 degrees were somewhat forbidden, but instead classic grabs like Chicken Salad, Crail, Andrecht, Mute or Crosshand were more than welcome. In tight white pants, Sebastian Schmidt took victory showing Double Grabs, Crails and Handplants. Last year's best rookie Chris Wild won the Rookies contest again, Tina Weber was the best girl.

The skiers had to abandon switch jumps and landings and went for helicopters, twisters, duffys, flips, backscratchers and one grabs instead. Last year's winner Tobi Deckert wasn't able to repeat his win as he didn't stick his double back flips this year. As a substitute, Max Kroneck rode on a constantly high level and deservedly won thanks to his 360 straddles, 720 helicopters, duffys, back flips, Mickey Mouse style and one foot landings.

The last days: testing, coaching, sunbathing.
Until Sunday, riders will have the occasion to enjoy the spring sun at SPRING IN THE PARK on Zugspitze. Head shaper Karl Killer will reshape the park daily. Expect ten hits and around 13 boxes and rails for beginners, intermediates and pros. The K2 and RIDE coaches will advice riders and give their moves the final touch. Even more, the K2 and RIDE test centre provides riders with the newest skis and board of the upcoming winter season. At the chill area, the deck chairs are waiting, and a professional photographer will take pictures of the riders they can later download from www.snowparkguide.com. And at night, the Lodge at Hausberg is the place to party.

For up-to-date information please see www.snowparkguide.com