It was the Open Downhill Class that was as usual the centre of attention, but perhaps for the wrong reasons. Early heats ran problem free with organisers ensuring efficient management to enable racers to concentrate on the task in hand. In the first semi final an incident at the top of the course lead to Ramon Konighausen crashing out. He raised an objection to the incident and IGSA Chief Steward Norman Kinnish, found on his behalf. However Konigshausen reacted badly to the news that the decision did not lead to him moving into the final. In front of a significant crowd in the shut down zone Konighausen physically assaulted fellow Swiss rider Nicholas Robert, resulting in his disqualification from the entire event. IGSA Officials subsequently confirmed their zero tolerance policy for unsporting behaviour and have placed Konigshausen on probation for the remainder of the year.
The Final was won by Patrick Switzer who confirmed his season’s dominant performance. Second place was taken by Stefan Rufli. In a display of superb sportsmanship, Boris Shinke and Alex Tongue who had crashed out up the course, crossed the line together hand in hand to tie for third place. The gesture emphased to the assembled rider community that Downhill Racing has a strong and supportive community of like minded competitors.
Open Downhill Skateboarding
Final Results
1. Patrick Switzer, Canada
2. Stefan Rufli, Switzerland
3. Boris Shinke, Germany
3. Alex Tongue, United States
5. Torbjorn Sunde, Norway
6. Stefan Kolpatzik, Germany
7. Nicolas Robert, Switzerland
8. Sebastian Hertler, Germany
9. James Kelly, United States
10. Dominik Kowalski, Germany
A big controversy ensued. Video footage of the incident was produced for IGSA Chief Steward Norman Kinnish to review. After careful consideration he decided to move Gemperle to fourth place for causing the incident based on the following IGSA rule:
B. PASSING: Overtaking competitors assume the responsibility of avoiding the lead competitor. A racer who violates this protocol will be penalized.
Women's Downhill Skateboarding
Final Results
1. Katie Neilson, Canada
2. Kristina Engstrand, Sweden
3. Dasha Kornienko, Canada/Ukraine
4. Rebekka Gemperle, Switzerland
5. Marie Bougourd, France
6. Hanna Jaakola, Finland
7. Tamara Prader, Switzerland
8. Gloria Kupsch, Germany
9. Anne Kaske, Germany
10. Fabienne Liebing, Germany
Gires and Smith Win the Junior Races
Lenny Gires from Germany won the Junior I class after posting the class leading qualification time. His race was run without incident. Jan Dederer was second, Philip Schickor third and Gero Kalb fourth.
Junior I Downhill Skateboarding
Final Results
1. Lenny Gires, Germany
2. Jan Dederer, Germany
3. Philip Schickor, Germany
4. Gero Kalb, Germany
Spencer Smith from America, underscored his dominance in the Junior II class this class by posting a clean win after a flawless performance during the initial heat. Fredrik Wangsten was second followed by Pablo Fouz Rey in third. Smith has now won all three of the Junior II World Cup races in 2011.
Junior II Downhill Skateboarding
Final Results
1. Spencer Smith, Canada
2. Fredrik Wangsten, Sweden
3. Pablo Fouz Rey, Spain
4. Oscar Froelund, Sweden
5. Rob Borek, Great Britain
6. Max Meurling, Sweden
7. Maximillion Schulte, Germany
8. Paul Zerweck, Germany
9. Alexander Tobrand, Sweden
10. Edvard Hagman, Sweden