Winter conditions welcomed in the last full dayof training here in Davos at the O'Neill Evolution. The entire field of international andregional riders had their last chance today to test the new Big Air and Railset up before the business end of the contest kicks off with tomorrow's Men'squalifications.
Despite facing testing conditions withperiods of gusting winds and snow flurries, the contest course was open to trainingfor the entire day. Riders had the luxury of sneaking in a couple of powderlines between training runs to change it up and keep the brain alert andmotivation on high.
The optional line to Rail and Wall Rideset up was in full effect with positive feedback coming from all sides,translating into an increasing level of riding and range of tricks throughoutthe day. Particularly noticeable was the riding level from the Women as theyworked through their individual bag of tricks and upped the tech rail tricks.
The main kicker line proved morechallenging in the testing conditions, with rider feedback employed to makeminor adjustment over the course of the day. "The rail set up is all-time,"said Sebastien Toutant shortly after the riders meeting, "The main kicker isreally technical this year, quite a bit of compression and a lot of pop rightnow. We've been talking to the shapers and they have been fine tuning it for usover the day and are doing a final re-tune tonight. That's what's good aboutthis event, they totally listen to our feedback."
The shaping crew are already out thereaddressing the minor adjustment asked for by the riders. The First Round ofMen's Qualifications are set to start at 09:00 tomorrow morning, with all threeheats scheduled to be completed over the course of the day.
Mother nature looks as if she is going tocelebrate the O'Neill Evolution by bringing another fresh layer of white goldwith 40cm's of snow forecast to arrive in Davos in the late afternoon - perfectfor the imminent arrival of freeride legend, Jeremy Jones.
"It might be that the O'Neill Evolution turns into an epic day of powder riding tomorrow," said Event Director, Bernhard Ritzer, "I don't see anybody complaining about that!"
Stay tuned for updates and schedule changes at....