Only One Week Left Until the 2023 Edition of Swatch Nines MTB
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It’s almost here: From the 14th to the 19th of August, 2023, Swatch Nines MTB will make its much-awaited debut at Green Hill Bikepark. With a star-studded roster of top international athletes and cutting-edge course design complemented by an exciting new mountain bike festival, this year’s Nines MTB is charging at full speed into its new summer home in Germany’s Sauerland region.
Here’s what to know:
– Course design reveal. The 2023 Swatch Nines course features intertwining freeride and slopestyle lines with a variety of different jumps, drops and unconventional elements to challenge the invited riders. The highlight is a 40-meter-long “skatepark in the trees” that combines bike and skate features on an elevated platform winding through the treetops. Both lines end at a massive big air jump with three different takeoff options. Check out the attached 3D renders and video for a sneak preview of the setup.
– Riders’ Roster Updates. From top stars to hungry up-and-comers, the Swatch Nines riders’ list continues to grow. Recently confirmed riders include the current male and female leaders of the FMB World Tour, Emil Johansson (SWE) and Patricia Druwen (GER), as well as 2023 UCI Elite Downhill World Champion Vali Höll (AUT). The roster now includes 15 female and 28 male MTB athletes, as well as 5 internationally known skateboarders. The complete riders’ list is displayed on the attached graphic and at https://www.thenines.cc/riders-mtb
– Become A Nine Winners. Natalia Niedźwiedź and Przemek Abramowicz, both of Poland, are the winners of this year’s Become A Nine contest! Their impressive video entries stood out among the dozens of videos submitted over the past two months, securing each of them a wild-card invitation to one of MTB’s most prestigious events. Congratulations Natalia and Przemek, you’re going to Swatch Nines!
– Public Days & BYND The Hill Festival. This year’s event is double trouble: As Swatch Nines draws to a close, the BYND The Hill Festival will just be getting started! This brand-new MTB festival will take over Green Hill Bikepark from the 18th to the 20th of August with bike tests, movie premieres, DJ sets and much more. The two events will overlap during the Swatch Nines Public Days on the 18th and 19th of August, when festival attendees can watch the Nines athletes live in action. For more information on the BYND The Hill Festival, the Nines Public Days and to purchase tickets, visit https://bynd-festival.de.
What riders & organizers have to say:
“The build is underway and it’s proving to be an exciting challenge to shape a completely new location at Green Hill Bikepark. We’re bringing the Swatch Nines’ level of setup innovation, designed to provide unparalleled lines for the riders to session. I can’t wait to see what goes down from the guys and girls!” – Sam Reynolds (GBR), rider and course builder
“The stoke is very high for the class of 2023 Swatch Nines riders to arrive. We want to show exactly how much momentum is behind women’s progression right now in both Slopestyle and Freeride. The girls are feeling the vibes, and everyone is refreshed and ready. Expect big things as Swatch Nines designs a dance floor for us to shine.” – Caroline Buchanan (AUS), invited rider
“We wouldn’t be Swatch Nines if we didn’t try to be the only event in the world where freeride and and slopestyle can truly meet. We are bringing these different sides of the sport together in two fantastic setups that are totally intertwined with each other. We’re also putting a strong focus on women’s progression, and are making sure that the invited women will also have an awesome time on this setup.” – Nico Zacek (GER), Swatch Nines founder
