Monday, February 12, 2007

A Good Day At The Austrian Open


Last weekend saw the Austrian Open go ahead after it was postponed by two weeks due to a lack of snow. Although the superpipe event was cancelled, the slopestyle went ahead and it was a good day for Nike ACG riders Paddy Graham, Murray Buchan and Kim Misof. All three riders gained podium places and stuck down some awesome runs.

(Pads sticks his railslide at the Austrian Open)

Paddy, having recovered from trying to gnaw his way through the forest and as a result dedicating one of his teeth to the bark of a particuarly gnarly tree, was back on top form. In a mens line up of 26 skiers of high quality, Paddy showed us once again why he's the best freeskier representing the UK. On a course which was both challenging and high on the gnar scale, Pads stuck his runs to make it to the final where he put down a best run which consisted of a sw 900 nosegrab, followed by a huge bio 900, and finished with a cab 720 tailgrab to finish second behind France's Kevin Rolland.


(Paddy proudly clutches his accolade on the far left of the picture)

In the Rookies event, Murray, currently on half term and bereft of any recent competition, blasted the rest of the field out of sight with a huge switch 900 with double nose grab and a super smooth 720 in the final. It was a moment to cherish for the young scot whos prowess on a pair of skis is growing every time he clicks into his bindings.

Elsewhere Kim finished second in the ladies event.

For more information, photos and clips from the event visit www.austrian-open.com

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