Juuso Laivisto

Photos: Lorenz Holder

Beijing, CHINA – January 10th, 2010 – Cloudy yet wind-free conditions in the Quiksilver Nanshan Mellow Park created a moody backdrop as yesterday’s 12 qualified riders stepped up to do battle on day two of the 8th Red Bull Nanshan Open, Asia’s largest stop on the Swatch Ticket To Ride World Snowboard Tour.

As the morning’s final session of this 4Star TTR event got underway, the judges would be forced to slice the field of 12 down to just four – a task easier said than done! By the time lunchtime rolled through, Juuso Laivisto (FIN), David Bertschinger Karg (SUI), Sergey Lapushkin (RUS), and Nick Hyne (NZ) had impressed when it counted and secured their place in the afternoon’s Super Finals.

Showing some of the best flow throughout the weekend, Sergey Lapushkin was proud to improve on his 10th place at last year’s event. “I was happy to stomp my first two runs, so decided to go for a ten (1080) on the third – not quite, but am so stoked on everything!” Sergey’s highest scoring run consisted of a perfect BS900 mute, switch BS540 stalefish, backflip nose-grab off the up-cannon and was good enough for second place. Third place would go to David Bertschinger Karg, unfortunately not able to stomp the clean runs that had him placed first going into the finals. A ridiculously huge FS1080 stomped halfway down the landing left him struggling for speed on the second kicker, yet he managed to finish off his run in style with a smooth boardslide to 270-off the up-cannon and a 50-50 to back 180 off of the wallride.

Sergey Lapushkin

None of these, however, could stop a certain dedicated Finn! Wowing both judges and crowd with a clean and technical run, Juuso Laivisto rose victorious with a switch BS900 mute followed by a FS720 melon, finished off with a BS to FS boardslide on the up-down, and a 50-50 to FS180 out of the downpipe. “I’m really happy! It’s my first time in China and the resort reminds me of my home mountain, so it was kinda special to win here! This trip is so well organized and we’re all having such a good time… now where’s the beer!?”

Taking fourth place, Nick Hyne (NZ) was pleasantly surprised on his result considering his luck leading up to the competition – “I’m stoked, my boardbag only just arrived yesterday morning and I had to do the practice day on a borrowed board. The park here is great with some good variety, and the whole trip has just been super fun!” Honorable mention goes to Chinese rider Wang Lei. The highest placed local rider, Wang Lei represented strongly on his home turf securing a solid 9th place. “Everyone threw down some of their best tricks and it was great contest. I hope the riders enjoy the rest of their time in China!”

And with the competition side of the trip over, we’re sure they will! The riders now get to enjoy a trek at the Great Wall, icebiking on Houhai lake, fake-handbag shopping for their girlfriends and perhaps, just maybe, one or two after parties. Zaijian!

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8th Red Bull Nanshan Open Results
Rank Bib G/R Last Name First Name Nationality Sponsor
1 Laivisto, Juuso / FIN / REDBULL RIDE VOLCOM
2 Lapushkin, Sergey / RUS / REDBULL DC SPY
3 Bertschinger, Karg David / SUI / VOLCOM BATALEON SMITH
4 Hyne, Nick / NZ / RIDE SMITH LOWER
5 Botner, Erik / NOR / NITRO OAKLEY SESSIONS
6 Kinnunen, Matti / FIN / MEATFLY AMPLID SPY
7 Swoboda, Marc / AUT / REDBULL NIKE6.0 NITRO
8 Ishikawa, Atsushi / JPN / QUIKSILVER DEELUXE FLOW
9 Wang, Lei / PRC / BURTON ANON
10 Lee, Yongho / KOR / SALOMON SUGAPOINT ELECTRIC