Endless Turns! SuddenRush Banked Slalom Laax 2023
The best booked category is traditionally the one for the Open riders. Ordered and delivered for them: clear blue sky at the Crap Sogn Gion, all around a scenic 360° mountain view. “Please don’t let that distract you” was the motto for the 100 snowboarders, as they have to focus on their start at the 8th SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX. The dance through the 17 banked turns includes it all: from elegant to daring, brave to chilled, ambitious to risky. Carla Somaini and title defender Renato Nadig master the course the fastest.
Svenja Schallner. Photo: Philipp Ruggli
Svenja Schallner is familiar with the SuddenRush Banked Slalom LAAX as Open rider and makes it to the podium year after year (2023: 2. Open Women, 3. Fastest Race). She has a great time also this weekend: „Really cool people, awesome atmosphere, it’s just great fun! The fascination Banked? For me it’s the centrifugal force, enabling you to generate speed out of each turn.”
The Fastest Men at this year’s Laax Banked. Photo: Philipp Ruggli
At the end of the day the fastest riders or all ages and skills categories have the chance to drop in once more for the so-called “Fastest Race” to determine the fastest female and male rider. A run which needs to be on point. Turn after turn, like in an endless loop, from top to bottom, from bottom to top, for spectators as well as for riders. They pass through the light barrier at the finish line every minute, cheered on by their fellow competitors. Looking at the time display – in vain. Switched off to maintain the tension. Only the award ceremony in the valley reveals what has already been rumored: Ueli Kestenholz, alpine star at the turn of the millennium, shows his class and is a touch faster as Halfpipe World Cup rider Dave Hablützel (2nd place) and LAAX local Renato Nadig (3rd place). In the women’s comp Irene Marolf takes the crown as the fastest lady.
Best Outfit? Photo: Philipp Ruggli
All information and results are available at www.laax.com/en/suddenrush.