Open Faces 2* FWT Qualifier Kappl-Paznaun 2024 - Winning Runs
The first Open Faces qualifier competition of the season started with prime conditions and a triple victory for Austria in the men’s ski category. The freeride hotspot Kappl / Paznaun served as the venue for an OPEN FACES stop for the 11th time. The freeriders met at the “Stoamandl” for the 2* FWT Qualifier and “Kapplaska” has once again lived up to its name. The rider field with 71 international starters promised to be a show.
The jury's evaluations are tight, which is evident, in the Ski Women category. Hannah Gruber (ITA), ski instructor and model from Italy, is able to prevail here with 2 safe jumps and a quick pace. Only three tenths separate second and third place. Emma Ledet (DEN) narrowly has to admit defeat to the Austrian Amelie Rosa Deniffel, who starts the race with a great choice of lines and a good dose of self-confidence.
It is also close for the Ski Men - only 5 points separate places 1-5. At the end of the day, Nico Partell (AUT), who leads an Austrian triple victory, celebrates on the top podium. He starts his run at high speed with a 360 and a backflip in the upper steep area and scores points overall with a lot of airtime. After a straight air jump over the wind lip, second-placed Simon Widauer (AUT) performes the first backflip in this competition and then did a 360. Florian Michelini (AUT) also proves that he can flip, taking third place with a front flip in combination with a wide cliff drop and a back flip in the middle section.
Co-commentator Flo Örley recognizes the potential of the winner in the Snowboard Women category, Nina Schleifer (AUT), with a smart, safe and fluid run. With her on the podium are second-placed Lisa Sabrina Peck (AUT) and two-time Wild Face winner Lilli Schmitt (GER).
Florian Handschuh (GER) wins the Snowboard Men category this year after his 2nd place last year. The 34-year-old former freestyler has the big goal of getting into the Freeride World Tour. Behind him is Sebastian Kepplinger (AUT), who despite the high starting number looks for a “fresh line” and impresses with a 360 in the lower area. With a stylish jump over the wind lip in the lower section, Tommaso Gazzini (ITA) took third place.
The jury's evaluations are tight, which is evident, in the Ski Women category. Hannah Gruber (ITA), ski instructor and model from Italy, is able to prevail here with 2 safe jumps and a quick pace. Only three tenths separate second and third place. Emma Ledet (DEN) narrowly has to admit defeat to the Austrian Amelie Rosa Deniffel, who starts the race with a great choice of lines and a good dose of self-confidence.
It is also close for the Ski Men - only 5 points separate places 1-5. At the end of the day, Nico Partell (AUT), who leads an Austrian triple victory, celebrates on the top podium. He starts his run at high speed with a 360 and a backflip in the upper steep area and scores points overall with a lot of airtime. After a straight air jump over the wind lip, second-placed Simon Widauer (AUT) performes the first backflip in this competition and then did a 360. Florian Michelini (AUT) also proves that he can flip, taking third place with a front flip in combination with a wide cliff drop and a back flip in the middle section.
Co-commentator Flo Örley recognizes the potential of the winner in the Snowboard Women category, Nina Schleifer (AUT), with a smart, safe and fluid run. With her on the podium are second-placed Lisa Sabrina Peck (AUT) and two-time Wild Face winner Lilli Schmitt (GER).
Florian Handschuh (GER) wins the Snowboard Men category this year after his 2nd place last year. The 34-year-old former freestyler has the big goal of getting into the Freeride World Tour. Behind him is Sebastian Kepplinger (AUT), who despite the high starting number looks for a “fresh line” and impresses with a 360 in the lower area. With a stylish jump over the wind lip in the lower section, Tommaso Gazzini (ITA) took third place.
