Szczepan Karpiel gets big at London Freeze 2009...

Battersea Power Station recently hosted the UKs largest ski, snowboard and music festival with the biggest 'Mamma' of a real snow kicker ever seen in the UK. With over 450 tonnes of snow and a 17m table top kicker; one of the world's best skiers; Szczepan Karpiel came over from Innsbruck to represent Avalaan at London Freeze 2009. We even filmed a cheeky episode of Avalaan Lifestyle TV with him... watch this space!!

Szczepan did not have much time to prepare for the competition, with typically English weather and some mental wind making things difficult. After a few trys on day 1, Szczepan cruised home to relax for the big day!

The crowd were gathered, the jump was prepped (after a mega rescue mission from GMC Events with the snow on the in-run and landing- BIG UP Graham and his team!!) and Szczepan in his new Avalaan outerwear was on the big screen. We were amped, and i can only presume Szczepan was in the zone..... He had two attempts to lay it down, it was a sketchy run, ½ dendex and ½ snow but Szczepan went big.

A true beliver in the sentiment 'Go BIG, or Go Home!' Szczepan came out 'all guns blazing', stonking a MASSIVE cork 900 tail grab. For his final run he decided to step up and throw down a kangaroo flip. Heavy!! Brave too as he had never done one before on a real jump. Szczepan took a huge hit, and was on the floor for some time. However after some help he was back on his feet with cheers and encouragement from the crowd! Coming in 21st was a dope result for our big man. Good work!

So after seeing some heavy skiing and a few beers, all the Avalaan crew kicked back to enjoy the festival before Szczepan had to vanish back to Innsbruck. See ya next year..

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