Arnaud Derib quali 1 web

Jaako Ruha at 2008 Crans-Montana Champs Open Presented By Rip Curl
© CMC (photo CMC)

Date: 13.10.2008
Updated: 13.10.2008 03:30

By: Champs Open Media Management

The Crans-Montana CHAMPS Open by Rip Curl is preparing for an exceptional 2008-2009 winter season. Two qualifiers are scheduled with the now traditional Rails Session in Lausanne and similar competitions in Modena, Italy. But it doesn’t stop there - the oldest competition on the European circuit will celebrate its 18th anniversary in style next February. 


 The resort of Crans-Montana will welcome the worldwide freestyle elite from 4 to 8 February 2009. Snowboarders will have the place of honour in French-speaking Switzerland at a 5Star Swatch TTR event.    After 15 years in Leysin, the Crans-Montana CHAMPS Open by Rip Curl has become a classic meeting on the snowboard scene, and has now been held in Crans-Montana for 3 seasons. 2009 will mark the 18th edition of the oldest competition in Europe and we are expecting to see some thrills.  The CHAMPS Open’s famous Slopestyle, with an over 700m long course, including all freestyle obstacles with tables, a spine and a half pipe, will be remodelled for the event. After celebrations on the slopes, The “Place to Be” – event village after the competition on the slopes - will also be completely reviewed and will be located closer to Homebase in Montana. 



Rip Curl Rail Session presented by Renault
Based on the rail session organised in Lausanne since 2006, a qualifier for Crans-Montana will be held in Modena, Italy, on 2 November. This event will mark the launch of this winter season’s activities and will be followed by the meeting in Lausanne on 13 December. These 2 Rip Curl RAIL SESSIONS presented by Renault will be the only chance to obtain tickets for the CHAMPS Open, apart from the Crans-Montana Open qualifiers.  Program and inscription details are available at www.champsopen.ch .  The CHAMPS Open is also very pleased to announce the arrival of new partners this season, such as Renault and Studio Line of L’Oréal Paris, who have joined the current sponsors Crans-Montana, Rip Curl and Swatch.  In view of these commitments, the 2009 CHAMPS Open will be worthy of 18 years of celebrations and thrills at this now legendary meeting!

(Official Press Release CHAMPS Open)