The world’s best specialists in the discipline competed in snowboarding and skiing during the 19th edition of the snowkite masters, from December 4 to 10, at the Lautaret pass (Hautes-Alpes). At 27, Didier Botta flew over all competitions, winning the gold medal at the French and Masters championships, in snowboarding and skiing.
An exceptional and rare performance, according to Régis Labaune, organizer of the event: “He takes four titles, it’s huge, especially since he is the only atypical who participates in both categories. His level is stratospheric, and he is just as comfortable on a kite on the water ”. The Auvergnat had already been titled French freestyle champion in 2012, and world champion in 2015 and 2018.
Here is an edition that will be remembered, as these Snowkite Masters 2021 were the scene of a great show at the Col du Lautaret. The competition format was centered on freestyle with 3 categories: men in snowboard, men in ski and women in snowboard.
Each day, all the competitors measured themselves in 12-minute heats, and had the opportunity to perform 12 tricks, the 6 best tricks being retained for the scoring (the overall score was therefore out of 60 points). There were two rounds on Sunday 05 December, one round on Monday 06 December and one round on Tuesday 07 December.
The classification was made with the addition of the scores for each round. Wednesday December 08 was off due to weather conditions (snow / no wind). On Thursday 09 December, a freeride session was offered, with a prize giving. The weather conditions only allowed the men to snowboard.
A freerace was also contested and it was epic, in more than a meter of powder!
Didier Botta Interview:
A figure in the snowkiting world for several years, Didier Botta achieved an enormous performance during the 2021 Snowkite Masters held at the Col du Lautaret in early December. The French rider has indeed won the world titles in both skiing and snowboarding, dominating the competition with authority.
– Didier, in what state of mind did you approach these Snowkite Masters?
Hi Nicolas, hello everyone! I approached these SKMs without stress, just with a great desire to ride, to enjoy the slopes of Lautaret and to show my new tricks. I was super excited to get back to the pass where I haven’t been since last spring.
In terms of competition, I was calm; my main goals were to have fun and not hurt myself but I knew it would take the best runs possible to reach the top spots.
– How did you prepare for it?
The weeks before the competition we had snow at home, in Les Estables, in the Haute Loire. So I had a good feeling on the skis again. We had shared great sessions with Eloi RONDEAU (who rode really well) and the friends of Mezenc Kite, so we were warm and in a good mood!
However, during the first heat snowboard, it was the first time that I had put my board on since last season. But I immediately felt comfortable. Snowkiting is super similar to kitesurfing, and I kite regularly during my season in Brittany and in the fall.
So my preparation takes place throughout the year, I practice as soon as possible when I’m not working and I have plenty of snowkiting projects in mind that motivate me to reach the best possible level.
In my practice, a lot of big air kitesurfing, lots of foiling sessions, a little surfing and also a lot of paragliding and speed riding flights.
-You were impressive during the competition, winning the ski and snowboard disciplines but also the freeride session. Did you expect to skim over the debates at this point? What do you attribute this great success to?
Thank you !
-What are you most proud of?
There was a lot of level, so this result is very pleasant.
-What images will you keep in memory of these SKMs?
The SKM 2021 will remain in my memory, it will have opened the 2021-2022 season with good conditions, good kitesurfing with friends and a great atmosphere.
-Something to add ?
it was a great event.
Proud to bring home the medals and can’t wait to come back to ride in the Alps.
Thanks for the interview, see you soon!
Photos: Bertrand Boone and Wareck Arnaud
Interview: https://www.kiteboarder-mag.com/news-interview-didier-botta-vainqueur-snowkite-masters-2021
