Throwback: Blue Tomato Plan P 2020 - QParks Tour kick-off at Superpark Planai

After overcast skies dominated in the morning, the weather god decided to eventually hop on the freestyle train. Because just when the qualification runs started, one could witness blue skies and warming sun rays. It was time for the kick-off – 26 snowboarders and 47 freeskiers slipped over the contest bibs. The training runs already indicated it and the contest eventually proved it: the rider level was terrific. The participants corked, flipped and spinned as much as they could.

This is also demonstrated by the contest’s Best Tricks. The Italian freeskier Filip Rabanser showed a spectacular Misty 450 out from the Flat Rail and was happy about the Blue Tomato voucher and the props from the judges. With his performance, Canada’s snowboard veteran Kael Hill might have shown the younger participants what to work on. His Backside 900 Mute was also rated as the Best Trick. Both, Filip and Kael have the chance to win a surf trip to the Free Spirit Hostel in Ecuador at the end of the QParks Tour.

Canadian takes home the win!

On top, the North American triumphed in the Snowboard Men category. 94.5 points put him in the first position in front of the Austrians Lukas Frischhut and QParks Tour legend and Blue Tomato rider Felix Widnig. Winner Kael Hill highlighted the value of contests like the Blue Tomato Plan P: “It was really awesome being out here at the Blue Tomato Plan P Contest today. I think it’s just really awesome that companies like Blue Tomato or QParks are supporting such great grassroots contests. Without these grassroots contests there wouldn’t be the international stage that everyone sees in snowboarding. This is what nobody sees but this is the most important part.”

In the Snowboard Men Groms ranking, Lukas Behensky (AUT) came first. Roahan Duncan (GBR) secured the 2nd place and Felix Wieser (AUT) was happy about his third position.

Austria’s snowboard talent Emma Lantos raised memories from last year. The Tyrolean again won the contest in the Snowboard Women category thanks to a score of 83 and a clean run with a 50-50 to Frontside 180 off at the jib, Cab 540 Indy on the first jump and a Backside 360 Mute on the second kicker: “The Blue Tomato Plan P was really cool today. The weather was finally on our side and the setup was good too and that’s why it’s been a really nice day!” The international podium was completed by Selenata Sanchez from Spain and Italian jib queen Elena Graglia. Hanna Karrer (AUT) won the Snowboard Women Groms contest in front of Darcey Jane Williams (GBR).

Rabanser unbeatable

Spectators could watch a close fight for the freeski podium. In the end, the judges gave Filip Rabanser the highest score. The South Tyrolean received 91 points for his aforementioned best trick and a Switch Right 720 Safety and a Switch Left 900 Safety. Just behind him came the Austrians Sebastian Mall (2nd) and Noah Ressel (3rd). The 18-year-old winner was obviously happy after the prize giving: “The Blue Tomato Plan P was a dope event and I’m very satisfied with both of my runs. I was very surprised that I won and I’m really happy about it of course.”

Florian Pale (AUT) - who won the overall Freeski Men Grom category last season – again managed to start perfectly into the QParks Tour season. With a score of 64 he clearly won in front of Brit Bailey Webster and Loris Rudigier (AUT).

The international starting field was also reflected in the Freeski Women contest. Here, the 19-year-old Aliah Delia Eichinger from Germany took home the first place. The one-time World Cup participant showed a solid performance with spins in both directions (Slide to switch, Switch Right 540 Mute, Left 540 Mute). Her Blue Tomato Plan P conclusion also sounds positive: “I really liked the contest. Especially, because of the better weather later in the day. It was bluebird and the course was also cool because there were different obstacles.” Sarah Schönach (AUT) secured the 2nd place and Emma Spiss (AUT) came third.

All winners were happy about winning prize money and finest goodies from Blue Tomato, Amplifi, QParks and Pow.

Styrian championships

The Blue Tomato Plan P was linked with the Styrian Freestyle Championships for the first time. Luis Resch (Freeski) and Simon Karrer (Snowboard) won the Styrian titles. Also, Hanna Karrer can now call herself Styrian snowboard champion.

Successful kick-off

All in all, the Blue Tomato Plan P at Superpark Planai was a great success. The statements of the riders already indicated it and the clips and pics provide the final evidence: Bluebird skies! On top of that, the Blue Tomato crew spoiled the riders with tasty snacks, fruit and tea. The chill area was the ideal place to relax between the runs on this sunny day. On the other hand, the finely shaped setup at Superpark Planai was also tempting to enjoy easy-going jib laps. In the end, there’s nothing left for us than quoting the Snowboard Men winner Kael Hill: “It was totally shredtacular!”

All in all, the Blue Tomato Plan P at Superpark Planai was a great success. The statements of the riders already indicated it and the clips and pics provide the final evidence: Bluebird skies! On top of that, the Blue Tomato crew spoiled the riders with tasty snacks, fruit and tea. The chill area was the ideal place to relax between the runs on this sunny day. On the other hand, the finely shaped setup at Superpark Planai was also tempting to enjoy easy-going jib laps. In the end, there’s nothing left for us than quoting the Snowboard Men winner Kael Hill: “It was totally shredtacular!”