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Iceland Winter Games 2016 - Volcano Big Jump

Winter is finally back in the small city of Akureyri, the ski capital of Iceland. The mountains surrounding the city are full of snow, and for the people of Akureyri that means that preperation for Iceland Winter Games is on full steam and they´r counting down to their big winter festival.
Iceland Winter Games 2016
Iceland Winter Games 2016

Winter is finally back in the small city of Akureyri, the ski capital of Iceland. The mountains surrounding the city are full of snow, and for the people of Akureyri that means that preperation for Iceland Winter Games is on full steam and they´r counting down to their big winter festival.

Iceland Winter Games (IWG) is running into it´s 3rd year and is one of the fastest growing winter festivals. Starting their first year in 2014, as a single event AFP world tour Freeskiing compition, IWG has become one of the biggest winter festivals in Europe, with events ranging from ski- and snowboard compititions, on jumps carved from the snow like Icelandic volcano´s, to the Icelandic National Dog sledding championship. Outdoor and winter sport activists will find a great veriety of events to enjoy or partake in... and in breathtaking landscape !

Iceland Winter Games hosts events nowhere anywhere else found, like the „Volcanic Big Air“ freeski and snowboard compitition, „peak to surf“ ski tours on the Troll peninsula, Arctic horseback riding, Snowmobile compititions and many more.

Iceland Winter Games hometown of Akureyri is a small city in comparison to almost any city in the world, but still one of the biggest in Iceland with a population of just under 20.000 inhabitants. The city is situated in north-east Iceland, in one of the longest fjords in the country and surrounded by mountains reaching 1000-1500 m. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km north of Akureyri but still the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to 25°C and winter temperatures in average around 0˚C. Dispite the small size of the city, it´s buzzing with life and everyone seems to be involved in some type of outdoor winter sport and activities. Earlyer this year, Lonely Planet chose Akureyri as the nr. 1 „Best place in Europe 2015“ and Mt. Hlíðarfjall Ski resort was nominated as one of the top 12 most exotic ski resorts in the world.

In 2015, Icealnd Winter Games merged with the North- Icelandic „Blizzard“ festival making it the biggest winter festival in Iceland with over 60 events in the course of just one week. The events showcase all that the north of Iceland has to offer in winter activities, with all the major tour operators working with Iceland Winter Games, taking their guests on breathtaking tours in their modified superjeeps, helicopters, snowmobiles or even by „green energy“ Sconer boats.

Apart from the great veriety of evnts hosted by Iceland Winter Games, opportunity for amazing and „once in a lifetime“ experience is all part of Iceland Winter Games. Having the chance of skiing under the northern lights in Mt. Hlíðarfjall´s beutiful and diverse slopes, Outback Heil- or Catskiing from the mointain tops of the Troll paninsula, ending the ride on an Icelandic black sand beach and going for a surf in the Arctic Ocean, is something that can´t be met enywhere else in the world !

Iceland Winter Games Two Main Events, the AFP Gold freeski compitition and the IWG open snowboard compitition, with an impressive winning fee of 3.000.000 ISK (Approx 21.000 €)  has attracted some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the world with names like Jesper Tjader (World Rank #6), Oystein Braaten (World Rank #7), Robert Franco (World Rank #10), Noah Wallace (World Rank #12), and many more. Norwgian skiers have been the strongest skiers the first two Iceland Winter Games with the NOR PK Hunder taking the gold in 2014 and a young and upcoming NOR skier Siver Voll took gold this year.  

Allthough sign up for IWG 2016 has just opened, some of the biggest names in the freeskiing and snowboard sport have already confirmed they´ll be competing in this years games. Leading the front race for the freeski Gold in Iceland Winter Games AFP tournement, Henrik Harlut, 2x skier of the year in 2011 & 2013 (Freeskier Magazine) and 2x gold medalist in X Games Aspen Big Air (2013 &2014), will be very likely to push for the top of the podium.  In the IWG Snowboard Open, Finnish snowboarder Antti Autti, X-Games Gold medalist will be be up against athletes like the Olympic medalist USA snowboarder Scotty Lago, for the top places in 2016.

Links:

Iceland Winter Games Website: http://www.icelandwintergames.com/

Mt. Hlíðarfjall Ski Resort: http://www.hlidarfjall.is/en

Green Energy Sconer boats: North Sailing: A Milestone in Eco-Friendly Transportationhttp://www.reuters.com/article/north-sailing-idUSnBw135345a+100+BSW20150713

Akureyri Nr. 1 „Best place in Europe 2015: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/lonely-planets-best-places-in-europe-2015

Mt. Hlíðarfjall Akureyri; Top 12 most exotic ski resorts in the world: http://unofficialnetworks.com/2015/09/top-12-most-exotic-ski-resorts-in-the-world

Iceland Winter Games 2016 – Rider´s BIO

Team Europe  - Freeski

Henrik Harlaut aka eDollo (SWEDEN) 

Henrik Harlaut didn’t strap on his first pair of skis until he was ten years old. Influenced by Tanner Hall, Mickael Deschenaux and Eric Pollard, Henrik learned from the best and developed a style all his own.  He is known for his smooth style, a bag of tricks like no other in the sport and his overall stoke on skiing.  At the age of 23, Henrik has already notched some very prestigious wins and has gained a reputation as one of the most creative skiers in the industry.  The 2012/2013 season was Henrik’s breakout year.  He started by winning the Award of “Best European Rider” at IF3 and “Rider of the year” at Freeskier Magazine.  That season, Henrik was on the podium at every contest he entered. These results were confirmation that he has reached legendary status.   

With back to back X Games Gold medals in Big Air the last two seasons and a 6th place finish at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Slopestyle, Henrik will be looking to defend his X Games gold as well as redemption in Slopestyle at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Henrik Harlaut „aka“ eDollo (SWEDEN) 

Birthday: August 14, 1991

Hometown: Are, Sweden

Resides: Are, Sweden

Home Mountain: Are, Sweden

Sponsors: Monster Energy, Oakley, Armada, Full Tilt Boots, Blue Tomato, Bjorn Borg underwear, Bern Helmet, D-Structure, Harlaut Champagne, Inspired   

Career Highlights:

Skier of the year 2011 & 2013 – Freeskier Magazine

Best European Rider of the year 2012 - International Freeski Film Festival

1st X Games Aspen Big Air 2013 & 2014

1st Freestyle.ch 2010, 2012 & 2013

1st London Freeze 2012

1st European Open, Slopestyle 2009 2nd X Games Aspen Slopestyle 2013

2nd WC Ushuaia 2012

3rd Winter Dew Tour Slopestyle and Big Air 2012

6th Winter Olympic Games Slopestyle 2014 Sochi  

Film appearances:  Road to Zion (2014), Let it Flow (2013), The Education of Style (2012) Blackout Project (2011), Retallack: The Movie (2011), After Dark (2011), Eye Trip (2010), Gunnie Season (2010), Slamina (2009), Refresh (2009), Turbo (2008), So Far so Hood (2008)

Team Europe: Snowboard

Antti Autti (FIN)

Anti Autti is one of the most passionate snowboarders in the world and barely takes any time of his board and if he does he’s probably watching snowboarding films or planning a new filming trip somewhere far away. 

After his almost decade long competition career that brought him X Games gold, World Championships and countless podiums in contests all over the world, Antti decided to follow his passion and explore the backcountry. 

Antti focused his mind into pushing his riding in the backcountry and documenting his travels on film. Three full movies and countless webisodes later Antti has set his strong mark in the world of backcountry riding and by no means is he slowing down. 

Antti has always been a man who follows his own path and he has been true to his vision. Where ever he goes he packs an open mind and a smile on his face as exploring new places is his favorite thing to do. 

BIO

DOB:15.3.1985

Hometown: Rovaniemi, Finland

Resides: Ruka, Finland

Home Mountain: Ruka

Sponsors: Northwave, Drake, Shred, Slytech, Neste, Sony, Transform Gloves

Social Media: 

https://www.instagram.com/anttiautti/

https://www.facebook.com/anttiautti

https://mobile.twitter.com/anttiautti

Team N. Americas -  Freeski  

Phil Casabon „aka B-Dog“ (CANADA) 

Phil Casabon is known for his precision and style, skills in which he has been honing in on since he began skiing at Vallee du Parc, Quebec in 1993.  He comes from a very talented Quebec ski scene with lots of heritage with in the sport of freeski.  Now Phil is leaving his own personal stamp on the sport just as ‘The New Canadian Airforce’, ‘The 3 Phils’ and Garles Gagnier

Phil Casabon aka B-Dog (CANADA) 

Birthday: July 19, 1989

Resides: Grand-Mère, Quebec, Canada

Home Mountain: Grand-Mère, Quebec, Canada

Sponsors: Orage outerwear, Armada skis, Rockstar Energy Drink, SPY Optic, Full Tilt boots, Axis, Inspired  

Career Highlights: Best Jib Segment in 2014 at Powder awards

2nd King of Style, Stockholm Sweden 2009

2nd Monsterpark invitational 2009

3rd European open 2008

3rd US open 2008 3rd King of Style, Stockholm Sweden 2008

4th Winter X Games 2010

5th Winter X-games 2009

5th Winter X Games Europe 2011  

Film appearances:  Keynote Skier (2014), Let it Flow (2013), The Education of Style (2012), Blackout Project (2011), Retallack The Movie (2011), After Dark (2011), Eye Trip (2010), Refresh (2009)

Team N. Americas - Snowboard 

Scotty Lago (USA)

Down to earth, gnarly, an incredibly talented snowboarder hailing from Seabrook New Hampshire. 

Scotty is a reckoning force in transitions, parks and backcountry riding. He is well known for his Olympic Bronze from Vancouver, but he has never been the type of guy to be pegged down as ‘the pipe jock´. Scotty has filmed stand out parts for That’s It, That’s All and the Art of Flight. With them he showed that he has the muscle to throw down with the legendary big mountain rippers and backcountry stompers. Scotty continues to ride pipe and back country while filming for his own highly successful Lago edits.. Out side the slopes he focuses on building his new born snowboard company Lago Snowboards.

BIO

DOB:12.11.1987

Hometown: Seabrook, USA

Resides: Carlsbad, USA 

Sponsors: Lago Snowboards, Neff Headwear, Smith Goggles, Mountain Dew

Social Media: 

https://www.instagram.com/scottylago/

https://www.facebook.com/scottylago/?fref=ts

https://mobile.twitter.com/scottylago

Like fellow Quebec skiers, Casabon is a savy rail rider.  A skill he has polished while filming in Quebec's urban jib scene.  But do not let that fool you that Phil is only a urban skier. He possesses the talent to achieve great things whenever he steps into his skis no matter what environment it is.  Phil aka "B-Dog" has been on the scene for a decade now and has come into his own as the leader on the style front of the sport through the consumer’s, skier’s, and industry’s eyes.

This style over the last decade was visible through his online show with Henrik, ‘The B&E Show’ as well as movie parts, demo tours and contest.. Internet has played a huge part in Phil’s notoriety.  After dropping his video edits on the web, he has opened eyes by displaying a variety of unique and creative freestyle that has been attempted to be emulated, but has never been able to be re-created by others.  Clearly an indicator of what is to come, he is now the most follow rider by the freeski community because he always keeps the style and creativity as first.