With the first event of the 2013 global expansions completed, X Games returns to the centre stage in France with X Games Tignes, March 20-22. And as we turn our heads to see what’s going on we’ll soon see that they’ve announced the schedule and a few more riders! Want to know who? Thought so…

Snow: Mark McMorris, Iouri Podladtchikov, Louie Vit, Torstein Horgmo, Kelly Clark, Jamie Anderson, Elena Hight, Torah Bright, Shaun White and rookes Arielle Gold, Yuki Kadono and Max Parrot.

Ski: David Wise, Kevin Rolland, Thomas Krief, Anais Caradeux, Torin Yater-Wallace, Bobby Brown, Tom Wallisch, Nick Goepper, James Woods, Kaya Turski and Maddie Bowman.

All the athletes are here if you want a full list!
http://xgames.tignes.net/en/competitions/athletes-1119.html

The event will feature eight different events for men and women over three days, including Ski and Snowboard SuperPipe and Slopestyle.

Schedule highlights include:
„Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th : training
„Tuesday 19th : X Games Tignes 2013 opening press conference
„Wednesday 20th : Two Women’s finals:
- 1pm – Women’s Ski Slopestyle Final
- 6:30pm – Men’s Snowboard SuperPipe Eliminations
- 8:30pm – Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe Final

Press information February 14th 2013

„Thursday 21st :
- 1pm – Men’s Ski Slopestyle Final
- 6:30pm – Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe Final
- 8:30pm ­‐ Men’s Ski SuperPipe Eliminations
„Friday 22nd : 4 finals
- Men’s (10:30am) and Women’s (1pm) Snowboard Slopestyle Finals
- Men’s (6:30 pm) and Women’s (8 :30pm) Ski SuperPipe Finals

Are you lot ready for it?

Rider: Louie Vito
Photo: Pablo Azocar

First thing’s first, let’s take a look at slopestyle. Unlike last year, the weather decided that blue skies and sunlight would be better for this year’s comp in Cardrona. As standard it was a best-of-3 format and the girls were up to kill the course first. Kjersti Buaas and Jamie Anderson were the strong contenders after the first run and they stayed there until the podium beckoned them, later to be joined by Jordie Karlinski. Jamie takes the first slopestyle win of the season and with that a foot in the door for yet another title.

For the men’s slopestyle event there were some familiar names in the mix from the off. Mark McMorris and Sebastien Toutant dominated for the Canadian contingent. But with these two never wanting to settle for second it was a hard fought battle up to the wire with Seb finished in second but only by half a point! Completing the trio was Stale Sandbech who was stoked with his finish.

MPORA Action Sports >>

What’s a slopestyle win by Jamie Anderson if it’s not twinned with a win for Kelly Clark in the halfpipe? We’re continuing the battle from last season right into the 2011/2012 season and that’s something we don’t mind one bit! A lot of things seemed similar in the halfpipe with the podium finishing up with the same three as the Winter X Games Europe as Kelly Clark took top spot, followed by Hannah Teter and then Queralt Castellet.

As you’d expect from the men’s competition tens were absolutely everywhere especially in Ryo Aono‘s runs. He threw down back to back tens on his first to beat last year’s winner, Iouri Podladtchikov to the top spot. But the heartache didn’t end there for IPod as he was knocked down to third by twinkle-toed Louie Vito.

More Snowboarding Videos >>

The snow season may have kicked off early but we’re in for a huge wait now because that’s it until December. That being said I think we’re in store for another battle between Kelly Clark and Jamie Anderson, with the guys comp being wide open. Only time will tell…