It is not only the new themes that influences the course design, each year the course is upgraded to offer the riders and the audience new attractions and different challenges. This year all eyes will be on Nicholi Rogatkin to see how he handles the course for the first time. After his First place at the Vienna Air King he can also be seen as a favorite for the Swatch Rocket Air. Nicholi is very excited to compete having only heard the best about the Swatch Rocket Air so far.
The Flying Metal Crew at work. Check them out on www.flyingmetal.ch
"I was jealous of the competing riders when I watched last year's live stream“, Rogatkin says. On Friday he will be representing the US Team together with his colleagues in the "Team battle", as they compete against last year's winners Team Canada. But the biggest challenge for Rogatkin will certainly be the duel against Thomas Genon. The Belgian pushed himself for the first place last year and will certainly push himself harder this year. Rogatkin is motivated to ride with Genon, "We push each other to more crazy tricks and awesome runs. Iʼm looking forward to riding against him and to see what he has to throw down.“
There is not only the 10'000 CHF prize money to be won, but also the additional motivation of a Wildcard entry for the FMB Diamond Series Event Swatch Prime Line.
Beside the main event inside the ice skating rink, The Swatch Rocket Air offers various side events to cater for all ages and levels of riding! Like-a-Bike Races, Pumptrack Racing and BMX Flatland Shows will entertain the public outside the ice skating rink.
One spectacle not to miss will be the "Wallscrapers" who perform their acrobatic tricks on a trampoline, the runners up of this year's casting show "Die grössten Schweizer Talente" are happy to perform at the Swatch Rocket Air. "We are mainly into artistic gymnastics but open for all extreme sports“, says the leader of the Wallscrapers, Tobias Ernst. " That is why we are really looking forward to be part of such an event.“ And who knows, may be the riders can find some inspiration for new tricks!
For real fans that are over 16 years old there is a special ticket to purchase this year, The True Fan Ticket includes entry and party ticket for Friday and Saturday as well as the Swatch Rocket Air Event shirt. There are only 300 True Fan tickets available, and they can be purchased at the Acefactory Bike shop in Thun for 80 CHF.
The final will be streamed at 8PM (Swiss Time), Saturday evening on the Rocketair hompage www.rocketair.ch. SSF will broadcast a replay of the Finals on Tuesday at 7PM in its full length.
Barett Brayden CAN
Gani Mehdi FRA
Genon Thomas BEL
Godziek Szymon POL
Hunziker Ramon CHE
Jones Matt GBR
Lamirande Bobby CAN
Lemoine Thomas FRA
Nagy Oszkar HUN
Pagés Simon FRA
Pilgrim Sam GBR
Reboul Louis FRA
Rogatkin Nicholi USA
Walenta Eric AUT
Zejda Tomas CZE
Henke Peter DE
Photos: © RocketAir
Source: http://www.rocketair.ch
