Factory Pilot Invitational,big air supreme

Martin Cernik wins the first-ever Factory Pilot Invitational at Sappada

January 2002

FACTORY PILOT INVITATIONAL
Sappada (BL) - 4 January 2002

THE CONTEST
Beneath the jump all the athletes agreed on one thing: the Factory Pilot Invitational had been excellent, well organised and with a “kick” so perfect that the tricks on display were worthy of the most famous international contests.

On Friday evening about twenty snowboarders lined up on the 20 meter run-in to battle it out for the three fantastic prizes on offer. And Martin Cernik, thanks to his amazing switch 1080, drove home in his new Mini. Paavo Tikkanen returned to Finland on his second-place Ducati Monster 900, while Joni Malmi’s perfect switch bs 900 earned him an Oakley watch.

Despite the intense cold the crowd warmed to the occasion – admittedly it would have been hard not to, given the outrageous tricks on display!

		Final Results
		1	Martin Cernik
		2	Joni Malmi
		3	Paavo Tikkanen
		4	Nicolas Muller
		5	Eero Niemela
		6	Eero Ettala
		7	Filippo Kratter
		8	Strecker Joel

NEW SCHOOL BY DYNASTAR - LANGE
Before the snowboard contest entered its final round the Dynastar-Lange Team gave a freestyle display that left mouths wide open. Accompanied by Dynastar Team Manager CÃ¨dric Mesiere, the so-called New School gave all a serious taste of things to come.

These were not just any old skiers- we’re talking about the likes of Michael Deschenaux (2nd at the Big Air - Winter Games Solden 1999; 1st Half Pipe - Xtreme Games Perischer 2000 and 2001; 7th at the Freeride HÃ¨li Challenge Wanaka 2000…) , who warmed up with a switch 720, taking off and landing “fakie”. He was joined by Marie Martinod, a 17 year old who flies as high as her male colleagues, and two other rising French stars, Cedric, just 13 and Laurant ,14 years old.

The first-ever Factory Pilot Invitational proved to great and, given the interest, fun and curiosity it aroused, all we can do now is wait for the second edition…

RIDERS
Filippo Kratter, Max GalfrÃ©, Alvaro Dal Farra, Michi Albin, Joel Strecker, Mads Jonsson, Roger Helmstadstuen, Nicolas MÃ¼ller, Martin Cernik, Travis Parker, Willie Yli Luoma, Mini Karf, Laurie Heiksara, Erro Niemela, Arild Brunn Kjeldaas, Lukas Goller, Marie Martinod, Mickael Deschenaux.

Sponsors
Oakley, Dynastar, Lange, Nitro.

Magazines
Freerider, Onboard, Montebianco.