SMALL, ECO AND INTERNATIONAL
Eco Freeride Contest Kick the Vik

The founder of the event, Markus Boss, is euphoric: « In only it’s forth year Kick the Vik has become a qualifying event for the Freeride World Tour. »The event concept is unique, it is much more than just a competition. Every rider must hike two hours up from the valley to the event base in the SAC Maighels hut. When they arrive at the hut there is time to just chill out and ride the mountain, the competition will start early enough, the next day. The event philosophy is simple; freeride and chill, that’s it!

What makes Kick the Vik really special is that each rider is free to choose which one of the two competition mountain faces he will ride hisr line on. And if that wasn’t enough, should the conditions on the two first choice mountains be unsuitable, there are no less than four back up mountains! This system will guarantee the best snow and safest conditions for all the riders.

SPIRIT
Kick the Vik is the only event in the competition calendar where all the riders, spectators and judges must hike up to the start, either by ski or with snowshoes. There are no snowmobiles, no helicopters and no lifts, even the heavy TV equipment will be carried up to the event base at the Maighels hut. There will be no avalanche blasting, the competition will take place where it is naturally safe to ride. It is the organisers aim, that the competition will not disturb the nature and the peace and quiet of the Maighels valley.

RIDERS
The competitors value the pureness of the event; the start list has grown from just 19 riders in the first event to 60 places for riders from all over Europe. This year 20 skiers, telemarkers and snowboarders from the Freeride World Tour will attend the event to ride spectacular lines down one of the six mountain faces and earn qualification points for the tour. 35 start places will be open to amateur riders and the remaining five places will be reserved for local heroes and wildcard entrants.

SPECTATORS, SPONSORS AND MEDIA
To follow the event as it happens spectators must also hike two hours up to the event base at the Maighels hut, for those spectators unable to hike up, www.kickthevik.com will be updated daily with the latest results from the event. Sign up for the event newsletter, you will also be automatically entered into a monthly prize draw where you could win top quality equipment from our event sponsors. International media partnerships and networks ensure wide ranging promotion for the sponsors, the riders and the event.

WHAT IS KICK THE VIK
VIKTOR is a hardcore freerider, he loves the sport and all of it’s different disciplines. The name Kick the Vik is an inspiring challenge to the riders, compete against Vicktor. Beating Vicktor will not be easy, he is currently working on his tweaked double flip! Vicktor is also the event’s mascot and chief reporter.

THE FUTURE OF THE FREERIDE TOUR
« Now Kick the Vik is an official Freeride World Tour qualifying event, we have made our first big step into the world of professional freeriding. » explains Markus Boss. It will not be our only step, this year we will also organise a freeride festival in the popular skiing area Disentis. In 2012 the Kick the Vik concept will be developed into a freeride tour with multiple events at well known freeride locations.