Super late on this post but better late than never, right? King's Gate reminded me a lot of the Almabtrieb event hosted by Big Mountain Skate last year. Same time. Same organizers. Same country. Same rainy conditions... haha BUT, an equally rad time for sure!
Throughout the four-day event we had a healthy mix of full dry, full wet, kinda patchy, and mostly patchy. Admitadly, my first few runs down the track were quite scary and at first, the road FELT so rough that it was nearly unskateable. Fortunately, by the end of the first day I got used to it and it really wasn't that bad.
Leading Anders and Chris in the "King's Gate". Daria Bond photo.
Coming through the "King's Gate" during the follow run. Daria Bond photo
After racing my heart out and countless close calls, I secured a 10th place finish. I may not have won the event like Moonshine MFG team mate Quirin Ilmer, but I do feel quite accomplished. This is the best finish I've had in an event this big. I really tried my best and learned a lot. I've been training almost everyday the past year and it's really starting to pay off.
Quirin Ilmer wins the King's Gate World Cup in his homeland of Austria!
Tristan Cardillo won Juniors and surprised the hell out of everyone as he took both Junior and Open podiums throughout the year. To no surprise, Emily Pross won the Women's class.
(cover image by CK Photography)