Up to no good at #kozakovchallenge with @desgnarlais @safety_nico @alexdehmelition. Raw run is online at @allyearlongboard @sickboardshop @aeratrucks @orangatangwheels @raynelongboards (at Kozakov Downhill Challenge)
I personally think it’s called the Kozakov challenge purely because it’s a challenge to do all the parties (often ending past 3am) and skate all the runs. I personally rate my attempts as 6/10 for skating and 4/10 for partying. Disappointing, but always room to improve in the next year. ;)
We finally reached the Kozakov track at 1am. We drove up and down the track, awe-stricken and sleep deprived. It is as narrow as it looks in the videos and steeper.
I managed to find a friend’s tent, asked her sleepy permission to crash beside her, and went to sleep.
Unfortunately for us it was placed on a slope, and had no shelter from the sun. The thing they don’t tell you when you’re travelling is that sleeping bags + tent = very little friction. Whenever I turned, the slope threatened to avalanche me into my friend, who was sleeping downslope. And we both woke at 7am because circadian rhythms (i.e. too much sun in zee face). I wandered around the campsite. It was in-tents (geddit, intense?? Bwahhaha).
Team Sweden obviously arrived on time and had time to put up a midsummer pole (see the vegetation above the Swedish flag).
Day 1 was a freeride day. We took it chill and made some breakfast before attempting to make it down the track.
Then we got geared up and made our way to the start line. Heart pounding, I pushed off, following my friend who told me the track was “chill”. I’m no pro obviously, but I made it safely down, hairpin after hairpin. I had finally skated a run of the legendary Kozakov! And to top it off there were cherries lining the bottom straight where the buses were. Nom.
The thing about this track is that it is well deserving of its World Cup status. It’s fast, very technical, smooth and there are so many ways you could play the race game. There are also raspberries which line the track - perfect for snacking if you’re intending to rage quit/spectate.
The campsite was well furnished. Portaloos that were regularly emptied, a canteen at the top which served breakfast, lunch and dinner, a rider’s party tent which served as a meal tent and two other party tents. There was also a mini ramp and small inflatable pool.
Kozakov is super lit - take it as chill or as intense as you want it. Quintessential skate life I’d say.
Quick shot of the start line.
We also golfed into the sunset. Fun.
I skated the 77a Longboardmodels’ the whole time. Interestingly this was the first time I really tested them out. The grip of these things is awesome and the slides were mmmmmm. I finally realised why freshies were the shizz. They felt so good sliding fresh when going fast (yes, you were right Paddy). Thanks LBM!
Pic of me railing through the scary 90km/h corner. Eeeek. Poor form, due to lack of practice prior to the Eurotour. Would highly recommend practice prior to attempting the eurotour.
And true to my normal routines I decided to switch bushings on qualification day, and got the hookups from the Venom boys, and “I told you so” looks from my friends. Thanks dudes, much appreciated!
Loved the vibes from the skate community. Everyone was friendly, approachable and up for some banter. We’re all friends off the race track anyway.
(insert warm fuzzy feelings here)
We had a chance to explore the nearby towns. Loving the architecture.
And their cuisine. We were introduced to a diner (Rokabar) by the French Canadians. I love Czech food so much - SO MUCH GARLIC IN EVERYTHING.
Fully satisfied (geddit? Fully? Bwahahaha).
The party on the last night was especially lit. In short, Emily made a mix, Rachel kept topping it up with 40% pear liquor...I went to sleep on my skateboard, missed the awards ceremony, someone dropped crutches on my head, I got shot in the knee by a roman candle as the Swedish people danced around the burning midsummer pole and the French girls (+ an american Bagel) started a water fight and tackled/wrestled each other to the ground.
Congrats to champ of #kozakovchallenge @knewtan! The secret to his racing cunning is in the pre race warm-up. Second through fourth is still being decided. Check @idfracing website for the live updates. (at Kozákov)
