The OSKM 08 is over and we are back to normal whatever normal means

It was an amazing week for all those attending, the conditions could not have been better and the event had a great positive energy flowing from everyone. We managed to run all the planned Competition formats even though we lost the 1st day due to 60 knot winds! The freestyle heats on the Sunday were blessed with 20-25 knots which giving the riders dream conditions on their small 7-9m kites.

The race on Monday happened in very light winds but was still fun for everyone – at least that’s what it looked like with so many kites filling the sky. The race was over a long course and varying terrain which made it a very tactical race with the riders needing to really use the terrain to get ahead and move up the places in the difficult yet challenging conditions. Everyone agreed the race format has a great future and we may even throw in some gates where riders must jump next year.

Tuesday for all of the riders was the best day, with a perfect 15 knots north-easterly we ran the Worlds 1st “Best-Line Comp”. The wind direction was spot on for us to climb the mountain up the narrow chutes beside the glacier. Almost everyone made it to the top and back within the 30min race time which was a 1000m difference in altitude with steep slopes up to 35 degrees steep.

The prize giving on Tuesday night in the local ski resort Pontresina was a fitting end to an amazing week! Dj Jaz & Jaggae pulled out all the stops and had everyone on the dancefloor giving it their all.

Downlaod hires version HERE

Our thanks to all the Riders that attended – it was awesome to watch your performances. And for sure to our Sponsors that supported the event and made it all possible.

The Date for next year’s OSKM 09 is already set so make sure you plan early to ensure a spot. The registration page will be updated by May so you can sign up. It will be bigger and we already have a extra Hotels secured and plan for 200 riders. The 11th – 15th March 2009

We will keep you updated so keep checking the www.ozonesnowkitemasters.com website regularly for news

Cheers All the OSKM Team

Snowboard:
1st Chasta
2nd Matthieu
3rd Murphy

Ski:
1st Fabio
2nd Björn
3rd Johann

Ladies:
Ski: Kari
Board: Maggie

Race

Snowboard:
1st Chasta
2nd Matt
3rd Oliver

Ski:
1st Roger
2nd Oli
3rd Jerome

Ladies:
Ski: Kari
Board:
1st: Maggie
2nd: Clarissa

Best Line

Snowboard:
1st Chasta
2nd Sigve
3rd Murphy

Ski:
1st Johann
2nd Jerome
3rd Björn

Ladies:
Ski: Kari
Board:
1st Clarissa
2nd Maggie

Best Trick

Snowboard:
1st Murphy
2nd Sigve
3rd Matthieu

Ski:
1st Björn
2nd Kari
3rd Florian

Overall Ozone Snowkite Masters 2008 ranking

Snowboard:
1st Chasta
2nd Sigve
3rd Matthieu

Ski:
1st Johann
2nd Björn
3rd Jerome

Ladies:
1st Kari (Ski)
2nd Maggie (Board)
3rd Clarissa (Board)

Thanks to all the riders for their amazing performance!

Today the OSKM Bernina made history by us running the Worlds 1st “Best Line” competition.

The rules were simple, 4 riders in a heat had 30 minutes to climb as high as they could, then pack the kite and free-ride down with the kite on their backs choosing the sickest line possible.

Solo and the other judges were positioned at the base of the main route to the top of the section most riders chose to take. Over 1000m was climbed with most riders reaching the top within 15 minutes!

Some of the sections were up-to 35 + degrees which obviously needs skill and a cool head to navigate the couloirs and choose the safest route to the top. Most riders were on 10m kites and fully powered winding their way up the mountain sides. It was amazing to witness the skill of the riders, we think this combination of using a kite to power your way to the top in a green way (no ski lift or helicopter needed!) is the future of snow-kiting events.

All the riders agree that this was the favourite day of the OSKM Bernina and can’t wait for OSKM 2009
Chasta as can be expected with his Pro-Snowboarding career behind him killed it on the ride up and the decent hitting small cliffs, launching sick rotations and generally tearing the mountain to shreds to take 1st place in Snowboard.

Johann Civel on skis took 1st and also deserves special mention for being the 1st person to climb a new route in Bernina up the side of the insanely beautiful glacier.

Patrick & Domink deserve a huge thanks from all those attending for creating such a smooth running and successful event. Big up guys…you rule and have created a super fun, friendly and relaxed event.

The FatFace Team arrived today, Will, Fliss and Extreme skier Andy David. They wasted no time in hooking into the Access XC for their 1st taste of snowkiting. Andy is hooked and we look forward to him actually competing next year. He was ripping around within 20 minutes and even started hitting the kickers!

The final party is tonight at the Pitschna Scena, the coolest bar in this region. Madhi and DJ Jazz will ensure we close the event in style……. They have been amazing every day and night.

Proven Energy  having been powering the event all week with their incredible wind turbine
The guys have kindly sponsored the final party with a free bar for all attending the event….. thanks for the power Proven

More videos will be added to the site the next days, Morten from www.snowkitefilm.com has captured the magic the whole week and will be creating a killer film so keep checking back

We hope to see more of you next year, the Hospiz Bernina team pulled out all the stops this week, great hotel and the food has been amazing and full board for only 250 euros so its been a bargain.

Next year we will have the option for beginners & intermediate riders to come and be part of the event with full support from our Team of riders and instructors as we will be offering a learn to snow-kite package including accommodation so book up now for 09.

Our Thanks to all the Sponsors that have made this event possible

Cheers Matt

The wind came late and weak yet we started the Cross Country Race in very light wind conditions. 40 Starters together on Snowboard or Ski started at the same time using their biggest kites.

Unfortunately the wind didn’t pick up during the day as we expect it which let us down with a canceld 2nd run before it was started. It was great fun though and everyone enjoyed the day.

Once again the Hospiz Bernina staff styled us all with a great dinner and we will finish the day in the hotel bar room with some loveley tunes from DJ Jazz and Jaggae plus drinks from the Proven Energy Crew. Check out the pictures and video.

Hear from us tomorrow…

Results:

Men Ski:
1st: Roger Knechtle - PKD Combat
2nd: Oli Büchi - Ozone Yakuza
3rd: Jerome Josserand - Flexifoil - Saber 2

Men Board:
1st: Chasta - Ozone Manta II
2nd: Matt Taggart - Ozone Manta II
3rd: Oliver Palmers - Ozone Manta II

Girls:
1st: Kari Schibevaag - Ozone Manta II
2nd: Maggie Cleeve - Ozone Frenyz FX
3rd: Clarisa Hemtel - Cabrinha

The riders were down to 7-8m kites boosting huge airs, with transitions and handle passes. The 16 Snowboarders, 13 Skier plus 2 Ladies loved the park we set up with 6 kicker and 2 rails. The perfomance of the riders was incredible spetacular.

Becuase we the conditions were that great we started a best trick competition right after wich was not less spetacular.

Check the pictures below they will tell more than word. We are looking forward to tomorrow to hold the best line competition. It could not be better. Thanks to everyone that made the event possible

Results:

Freestyle Ski:
1st Fabio Ingrosso
2nd Bjorn Kaupang
3rd Johann Civil

Freestyle Snowboard:
1st: Chasta
2nd: Matthieu Blanchard
3rd: Sigve Botnen

Best Trick:
Ski: Björn Kaupang
Snowboard: Murphy

Freestyle Women:
Ski: Kari Schibevaag
Board: Maggie Cleeve

More news tomorrow…

Cheers all here at OSKM

Wow, the riders just went out this morning to warm up when storm Emma came in, from nothing to 50kts winds within an hour. The riders had to struggle with their kites and safety systems where released.

There was no way to do this event, so we canceled which means we have full day of energy for the kick off party tonight. Dj Jazz and Jeagge arrived this afternoon and set up their turntables and microphone so the party can begin.

Chasta and Pascal, will show their video footage and pictures from this season.Later on and will get people dreaming about these perfect days.

The Proven Wind Turbine was, even in the strong wind in full swing and charged up the batteries in no time. Everyone is getting into the OSKM mood and is looking for a kick ass day tomorrow.

Check out the video and gallery below for the action today.

Cheers Dom and all here at Bernina

we had an interesting day setting up the www.provenenergy.co.uk wind turbine at the spot. The truck with all parts and bits arrived this morning, 2 tons of it!!

It took us only about 4h to set up and in only 8 knots of wind it was producing green energy ready to power DJ jaggae on the spot.

The first riders arrived and had a little blast around our freestyle park while Chasta was already far away up in the mountains exloring some new spots around the Berninapass.

We have strong winds forcast for tomorrow and we hope it won’t be too strong so we can kick off the event with the first competition in freestyle.

 Looking forward to meet you all

All at OSKM Bernina

Just a quick update on the event. We have been busy building the event side the past days with some killer kickers and rails that Chasta has giving his special touch!

The BBQ is set up and the wind turbine from Proven Energy is arriving tomorrow supplying our event with green energy.

The Party Lounge in the Hospiz is ready, people are starting to arrive every day and we are getting exited for the kick off. For sure it is worth turning up even if you can make it only for the weekend. Send me an email to dominik@flyozone.com and I get you a bed/room in our 2nd Hotel we have booked for the overflow

We are really stoked with the response from everyone.

Looking forward to meet you all and to a great fun event. Check out the gallery and the video of the past days set-up

Cheers Dom and all the OSKM Team here at Bernina