Vans Hi-Standard Series Makes Russian Debut

For the first time in its history, Vans Hi-Standard Series graced Moscow, Russia, having taken place in the city centre at Moscow’s Kant resort.

Conditions couldn’t have been better in Moscow with blue skies overhead and the sun shining down on the 100 stoked riders that entered. Cash for tricks was the order of the day in two open jam disciplines, big air and rail, where riders were rewarded for pushing the limits and demonstrating creativity for the onlooking crowds. In addition to cash for tricks, two MVP awards were up for grabs, one male and one female. Iliin Mikhail took the men’s MVP title with an incredible display of riding, creatively executing a stylish array of tricks and catching the judge’s attention by using the knuckle of the kicker to blast a frontside 360 to flat. Romanova Varvara was deservedly crowned women’s MVP by confidently attacking every obstacle the park had to offer, notably stomping an impressive cab 540 on the kicker. Both MVP’s have earned an all-expenses-paid trip to the grand-finale of the Hi-Standard Series in Mount Seymour, Canada to battle against the MVP’s from the other Hi-Standard stops for the 2019 Vans Hi-Standard MVP Series title.

The Van Doren Best Rail Trick was an incredible demonstration of snowboarding, Chepelev Fedor stood out amongst a ridiculous level of riding to win with a cab 270 front boardslide to 450 out.

The Russian youngsters were out in full force showing their seniors that they were coming for them sooner rather than later. Young ripper Dmitriev Yan was awarded Most Improved, holding his own despite his age, including executing a stylish method over the kicker. After shredding hard all day Lenchevskiy Yaroslav took home the Under-16 title, battling to nail a backside Rodeo on the kicker.

The Vans Hi-Standard Series suited Russia perfectly, the vast country has an abundance of character, snow and variety of terrains which has helped create a truly unique snowboarding scene, one which Vans is incredibly honoured to support. There is no doubt that the future of Russian snowboarding isn’t in any danger, with both riders and supporters embodying the Hi-Standard spirit.

Finally, big thanks to NIKITA SEKH & all the Vans EMEA Team riders who came from across Europe to support and inspire the next generation of riders from Russia at the Vans Hi-Standard Serie; CEES WILLE, SAMI LUHTANEN, ANTTI JUSSILA, SEBI SPRINGETH, SPARROW KNOW & MANS HEDBERG.