FLIPPING IMPRESSIVE!

The Audi Nines (previously Nine Knights) is a week of freeride action in a moonscape-like stone quarry near Birkenfeld, Germany. Despite the changing face of the event over the past 10 years, it still offers riders a jam-style format, with freeride lines, slopestyle features, best-trick jumps and a FEST-style big-air line.

Australia’s Caroline Buchanan (pictured) stole the headlines this year by landing the first ever frontflip in women’s freeride competition, with style for miles. Other highlights included Swede Max Fredriksson nailing a clean 720 tailwhip to dirt (a trick pioneered on an MTB by Welshman Adam Williams) and Germany’s Erik Fedko adding a late barspin to his signature super-extended Superman-Indian seatgrab 360.

Brits Kade Edwards and Kaos Seagrave brought their smooth style and huge whips, while Swedish star Emil Johansson pulled a crazy corked 720 on his DH bike. Kiwi rider Robin Goomes was the women’s Ruler of the Week for sending the big-air and 17m freeride line kickers. Austria’s Daniel Ruso earned the men’s award after a huge double-backflip crash knocked him out yet he returned to stomp the trick. All over, riders were pushing the limits – the highlight reels are intense!