High spirits at the 11th BANKED SLALOM LAAX 2026
Lights, camera … and action please: when you turn the corner at a certain point on the P60 run, a perfectly arranged Happy Winter film scene rolls into view, like a search-andfind picture book, where there is something to discover in every corner. But this is reality: the Banked Slalom LAAX as it lives and breathes. Its dream location with a course full of hand-scooped steep turns that fit the terrain like snow gloves, a view of the Swiss mountain panorama, and a lively finish area, accompanied by live DJ sound, barbecues for veglings and meatheads alike, and sunbathing between two runs. The hike up to the start in 1999 style, on to the next round. It’s like surfing … in the snow!
All hanging tens aside, it is also a timed snowboard contest. In you go to the Ueli Turn and follow 16 more turns! Find your rhythm from the start in order to snowboard quickly a la Bad n’ Rad to the finish line! All 185 riders succeed. Some better than others, and two of them particularly fast. As if they’d agreed to meet up after a break, local Siria Poltera and Banked pro Harry Kearney take the titles of Fastest Woman and Fastest Man respectively, just like they did two years ago. Raucous applause from the snowboard and fan community at the award ceremony in the rocksresort for all 23 podium racers, while in the background at the Cube, the Snow League halfpipe finals in Aspen are being broadcast live. There, the riders are also on rotation – but through the air. All those at Banked stay on the ground and continue the party, dancing at the Riders Club, then again the next day at Crap Sogn Gion.
p: Ruggli
The fastest in the banked and champions of their respective categories are:
FASTEST Woman Siria Poltera 38.39 sec.
FASTEST Man Harry Kearney 34.99 sec.
MASTERS Women Muriel Imhof 39.35 sec.
MASTERS Men Skarbek Malczewski 35.89 sec
GRAND MASTERS Men Pascal Imhof 37.19 sec.
OPEN Women Siria Poltera 38.39 sec.
OPEN Men Renato Nadig 35.51 sec.
PRO Women Svenja Schaller 39.28 sec.
PRO Men Harry Kearney 34.99 sec.