Zermatt, Switzerland – Following three previous years of competition, the Swatch Skiers Cup continues in 2014 when the event returns to Zermatt, Switzerland, in the shadow of Europe’s legendary Matterhorn on January 4-10. This year’s edition features new team captains and new riders, with Team Europe currently leading Team Americas by a score of two to one.
With eight select athletes on each team, Team Europe and Team Americas face off in match play format during two days of competition: Big Mountain (freeride) and Backcountry Slopestyle (freestyle). As 2013’s event proved, the expansive domain of Zermatt guarantees outstanding terrain and the six-day event window gives riders the best possible shot at perfect conditions.
“Zermatt sits in the midst of 38 4,000-meter Alpine peaks and offers the riders plenty of options to get their kicks,” says Marc Scheurer, marketing director at Zermatt Tourism. “We look forward to a fantastic atmosphere with incredible performances from the two teams. The action on the mountain for the backcountry slopestyle and entertainment in the village are all accessible to the public, which makes this event so special.”
Taking the captain positions in 2014 are two of the true godfathers of modern freeskiing, with Team Americas led by Canada’s JP Auclair and Team Europe under the direction of Julien Regnier of France. The two captains have a long shared history, first competing against each other in World Cup mogul competition in 1998, and skiing and working together ever since.
“When we first met it was a blast of new energy and new ideas for skiing. JP is an amazing skier, very creative, a hard worker and I really enjoy skiing with him,” Regnier says of his opponent.
Auclair responded, “I first heard about Julien through my friend JF Cusson, who told me about ‘this French guy who was doing really progressive skiing.’ When we met, we instantly hit it off and starting skiing and working on different projects together.”
Though the event doesn’t begin for two months, the strategic battle begins now, as the captains adjust and confirm their team rosters. Full team lineups will be announced in the coming weeks.