Event recap: The World Rookie Snowboard Finals 2025 at Kitzsteinhorn
From March 23 to 28, 2025, Kitzsteinhorn was all about the snowboard youth. The 20th anniversary edition of the World Rookie Snowboard Finals gathered the best upcoming riders from 24 countries in Zell am See-Kaprun.
For 20 years, the World Rookie Tour has provided a springboard for the stars of tomorrow, helping them transition from amateur to professional athletes. Some of the world’s top riders celebrated their first successes on the World Rookie Tour, including Kokomo Murase (JPN), the newly crowned 2025 Big Air World Champion. Kokomo won the World Rookie Finals three times, from 2016 to 2018. At the 20th edition, 120 snowboarders between the ages of 10 and 18 came together and impressively demonstrated that the future of the sport is in good hands.
SLOPESTYLE – In the Rookie category (under 19), Yingxu Zhao impressed and brought the Slopestyle title home to China with a Cab 14 Doublegrab on the kicker and outstanding tricks on the rail. In second place was Dmytro Luchkin (UKR) with the best Big Air trick of the day, followed by Harry Dabrowski (SWE) in third. Head judge Spiken Jones said: “The top 5 Rookies really stood out, and a bright future lies ahead for them.” In the women’s category, New Zealand’s Ava Beer claimed the 2025 World Rookie Tour Slopestyle Champion title. In second place was Austria’s Ava Schatzer, and Italy’s Stella Accati secured third place. The Groms (under 15) demonstrated a high level of riding overall. Emine Grundvold-Mathisen (NOR) and Martin Lopez Rodrigues (ESP) became the champions in the Groms category.
Start impressions - Photo by Ania Grzelka
Slopestyle Rookie Ava Beer (NZ) - Photo by Ania Grzelka
HALFPIPE – A day of celebration for the Swiss youth riders! The Swiss team clearly dominated the Halfpipe event with 8 out of 12 podium spots. In the Groms category, Leila Viererbe (GER) and Finn Ledergeber (SUI) finished on top. In the Rookie category, Lisa Demke (SUI) and Leonardo Saraiva (SUI) became the new World Rookie Halfpipe Champions 2025. Leonardo, in particular, made a lasting impression on the judges with back-to-back 7s, consistent riding, and high amplitude.
Despite challenging weather conditions, it was all about good vibes. Whether it was table tennis sessions or skateboarding, the side events were a colorful mix. From a cool tattoo workshop to an informative climate workshop by the World Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Protect Our Winters (POW) about how to take action, to an inspiring talk with snowboard veterans Max Plötzeneder (AUT) and MarcAndre Tarte (CAN), who shared their experience and valuable tips with the kids, there was something for everyone. This was the successful 20th edition. The World Rookie Tour Finals once again showed that it’s about much more than “just” the sport. Meinhard Trojer, WRT co-founder, summed up the week: “It’s not always just about performance and results, but also about passion and the sense of belonging to the snowboard family. Some of the friendships the kids made in the last few days will stay with them for many years. And we are truly proud of that.”
Halfpipe Rookie Leonardo Saraiva (SUI) - Photo by Ania Grzelka