Swedish Olympic Medalist Skis World's First Open Loop

In the frosty landscape of Åre, Sweden, after 42 meticulous attempts, Jesper Tjäder achieved a landmark in skiing history by completing the world's first open loop rail. The innovative concept, which Tjäder first envisioned after skiing a regular loop in 2016, involves a daring modification: the loop's top is removed, creating a three-meter-long gap.

80/20 Snapshot:

• Pioneering Achievement: Jesper Tjäder successfully skied the world's first open loop rail in Åre, Sweden, on his 42nd attempt, conquering the unique challenge of flying through the gap upside down and landing flawlessly.
• Innovative Design: The open loop features a daring three-meter gap at its apex, representing a significant evolution from traditional closed ski loops. This design challenges conventional skiing techniques and showcases Tjäder’s commitment to innovation in the sport.
• Athlete Profile: At 29, Tjäder, a resident of Östersund, Sweden, is not just an Olympic and X-Games medalist but a visionary in freestyle skiing known for his creativity and for regularly executing novel stunts that push the boundaries of what is possible in skiing.
• Viral Videos: Tjäder’s Tjäder's "Unrailistic" videos, showcasing his creativity on rails, have attracted tens of millions of viewers and sparked it's own freestyle ski competition named Red Bull Unrailistic.
• Upcoming Event: Tjäder is organizing the Red Bull Unrailistic competition on April 26, where he will debut his custom-designed course featuring "bigger and crazier" rails. This event will attract world-class talent like Tom Wallisch, Mathilde Gremaud, and Henrik Harlaut, and will be broadcast live on Red Bull TV.

Deep Dive

Reflecting on the complexity and thrill of the feat, Tjäder said, “I've been thinking about this open loop ever since I attempted the regular one. It feels fantastic to finally have completed it.” He described the physical challenge of the task, noting, “It was both easier and harder than I thought. I didn't expect to slide out so many times on the landing, so that was the toughest part. But at the same time, I came close many times. It's hard to say, each attempt was a unique feeling.”

Jesper Tjäder, a 29-year-old native of Östersund, Sweden, is not only an Olympic bronze medalist in slopestyle and a gold medalist in knuckle huck at the X-Games but is also renowned for his extraordinary performances outside these major competitions. His series of "Unrailistic" videos, which showcase his skills on unique rail configurations, have captured the attention of tens of millions of viewers worldwide.

The athlete’s creative approach to skiing extends beyond his personal achievements. “There are many different ways to evolve skiing. For example, I like to think up and build new rails. As for rails, I think there's enormous potential since there are many creations that the world hasn't yet seen. Maybe this is the future of the sport, we'll see,” Tjäder commented, hinting at the transformative potential of his innovations.

Looking ahead, Tjäder is set to host the Red Bull Unrailistic competition on April 26. The event will feature some of the world’s leading freeskiers, including Tom Wallisch, Mathilde Gremaud, and Henrik Harlaut, competing on a course designed by Tjäder himself. “I want to build my ultimate course. It will feature bigger and crazier features that allow riders to challenge what's possible in the sport,” Tjäder revealed.

As a creative force in the skiing world, Jesper Tjäder continues to push the boundaries, challenging traditional perceptions of the sport and inspiring a new generation of athletes to explore what might be possible on the slopes.