Morgins free-session, the coolest freeride ski and snowboard competition in Switzerland!

Increasingly present in the winter sports community, mood (the Swiss brand oft seen adorning a rider’s digits) is beginning to take its rightful place in the world of extreme sports, from riders’ sponsors through organisers of kitesurf or kitesnow events to partners of sporting competitions.

This weekend, mood sponsored the Morgins free-session (powered by Dakine). As mood communication manager, I thus felt compelled to spend a weekend in a magical resort in the radiant sunshine in the company of a great team of Morginites, justly proud of their resort. It’s a tough life…

The 7^th edition of the Morgins free-session competition thus took place beneath an azure sky in 30 cm of freshly fallen snow. More than 70 riders representing over 15 nationalities took part in a series of spectacular runs for nigh on three hours beneath the stunned and bedazzled gaze of spectators standing in awe of the spectacle, their hands cupping a glass of mulled wine lovingly prepared by the fair hands of T-Bar.

It was in fact T-Bar, the resort’s famously trendy hang-out, which provided the venue for the prize-giving ceremony after the event. The four big winners in each of the 4 male and female, ski/snowboard categories were Katarina Chuvinska (Ukraine), Stéphanie Grosjean (CH), Tobias Raphael Schefranek (DE) and Léo Slemett (FR). This year, each of the winners came away with a mood ring engraved with the event logo in addition to the prize money.

The evening continued with a barbecue on the terrace where DJ Désirée (Paris) was spinning the discs. Loïc, one of the evening’s four organisers, had this to say about the event:

1) Can you tell us a bit about how the Morgins free-session came about?

After having taken part in a few freeride competitions as riders, we were keen to start organising our own. We loved meeting up with other folk passionate about the sport. The real trigger was when Jacques (a Dakine representative) spotted Pierre Plate after a day’s skiing and it dawned on him that it would be the perfect venue for a freeride competition. Thus free-session was born.

2) How has the event evolved since its creation in 2006?

The first few editions were held on a single day with around 50 riders. I remember that we had a few big names in the Swiss freeride scene turn up for the first edition. Then, we switched to a two-day format: the qualifiers were held on the Pointe de l’Au on Saturday and the finals on Pierre Plate on the Sunday. Alpage de Tovassière provided the best vantage point for spectators. The new format allowed us to welcome over 100 riders. Two years ago, we agreed to be part of the FWQ. Every year, we try to provide the most welcoming conditions for riders as possible.

3) Could you tell us about the concept behind the event in a nutshell?

Riders are required to descend the rock face one-by-one under the watchful eye of the judges. The riders who make the smoothest and most original descent are the ones who score the most points. And the one with the most points of all wins the free-session.

4) How did the 2012 session go?

2012 was fantastic. We had 30 cm of fresh snow and the sun was beating down. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to hold the competition over two days, but I think the riders enjoyed themselves nevertheless.

5) What can you tell us about the runs this year?

We really saw the girls step up a level. They started picking up speed on the runs and took the rocks well. In the snowboard category, the winner’s jump completely blew me away. He literally soared over 15 metres high! In the skiing category, young Léo came out super strong. He executed a great back-flip and skied like a demon after that. I was pleased to see local boy, Romain, seriously take to the event.

All that remains for me to say is thank you, Loïc, for this interview and very well done to Maxime, Julien and Nicolas for such a successful event. mood is already looking forward to making it back next year!

Stéphanie Pousaz, communication manager for mood and cbijoux.