Starting contest reviews writing about weather is one of the most boring things to do. However, the weather was a pretty essential component for the FM4 Fight for your Ride Contest at the Vans Park in Mayrhofen, Austria. The whole resort was closed on Saturday and Sunday due to heavy winds, but being moved to Monday, the contest faced perfect springtime conditions.

The idea of the FM4 Fight for your Ride Contest is simple, yet effective. Riders had the chance to apply for the contest and then six had the opportunity to compete against Ästhetiker hero Steve Gruber. Steve made it pretty hard for himself, picking Austria’s finest rookies Roli Scharmer, Michael Stanschitz, Steff Wimmer, Benni Wetscher, Tom Klocker and Finnish rookie Niki Korpela. Steve had a real contest on his hands: while those guys spend 70% of their time in the park learning new tricks every day, he is seen in the park less every year…

The judging works like this: one rider calls a trick and the other six guys have to perform the same one. If you fail, you get a letter. The Rider with the least letters wins. When Niki Korpela went for a one foot FS 3 he managed to pick a trick none of the other riders had ever done before, Steve Gruber and Steff Wimmer had the courage to just go for it but even they didn’t land it. Eventually Roli Scharmer, Steve Gruber and Benni Wetscher qualified for the finals. Local riders Steve and Benni battled it out til the very end, stomping every trick. Steve Gruber learned a couple of new tricks, including a SW BS 9 and a FS 10 both landed first time. In the end it was close, but it was Steve who really deserved to take home the title.

Being exhausted after the long session did not stop a couple of riders from riding the Corner-Cradle Combo of the Red Bull End Section. Arthur Longo and Scalp were there trying to get pictures for the Vans-Photo-Award, happening on Friday. Keep posted for updates.

For more information check the Aesthetiker website.