Decisions Made at Zell am See-Kaprun: World Rookie Snowboard Champions 2026 Crowned

The World Rookie Snowboard Finals 2026 officially wrapped up the winter season in Zell am See-Kaprun, where the event took place from March 21st to 28th, 2026.

For seven days, the Austrian resort became the global stage for the next generation of snowboarders, hosting the best young riders from around the world in a full week of Slopestyle, Big Air and Rail Jam competitions.

Across all disciplines, the level of riding kept rising day after day, with athletes pushing progression, creativity and consistency to claim the prestigious U18 titles and confirm the Finals as a key step on the path to professional snowboarding.

The Big Air contest in Zell am See-Kaprun opened the Finals week with high energy and technical riding.

In the Groms (U16) women’s category, Marie Kuhlmann (GER) claimed the victory, confirming her strong season after her surprise win at Rock A Rail Innsbruck earlier this winter. In the Rookie (U18) women’s category, Mariia Nikolskaia (AIN) secured the title with a clean Backside 1080 Mute.

On the men’s side, Valter Panzeri (ITA) took the win in the Groms category. In the Rookie division, Dmytro Luchkin (UKR) impressed with a perfectly executed Backside 1620, earning his first World Rookie Snowboard Champion title. Just weeks earlier, he celebrated his biggest career results so far with three medals at the Junior World Championships (one silver and two bronze).

  Re-watch the Snowboard Big Air Finals  

The Slopestyle contest in Zell am See-Kaprun stood out for its unconventional and creative course design. Instead of a classic kicker line, the setup featured multiple rail sections, a knuckle and a massive hip, creating space for unique interpretations and high-level trick combinations.

Riders delivered an impressive variety of tricks, including Backside 900s, Haakon Flips, Cab 720s and stylish Alley-Oops.

In the women’s competition, Marie Kuhlmann and Mariia Nikolskaia once again took the top spots, each securing their second World Rookie Champion title of the week. In the men’s Rookie category, Dmytro Luchkin continued his dominance, adding Slopestyle gold to his Big Air victory. In the Groms category, Norin Keller (SUI) claimed the win.

  Re-watch the Snowboard Slopestyle Finals  

Winter returned just in time for the final event in Zell am See-Kaprun, creating challenging conditions during the Rail Jam contest.

Norin Keller (SUI) secured his second victory of the week in the Groms category. In the women’s competition, Juri Nakayama (JPN) impressed with a strong and consistent performance.

The highlight of the entire Finals came in the Rookie women’s category, where Mariia Nikolskaia completed a remarkable clean sweep, winning also the Rail Jam and becoming the triple World Rookie Snowboard Champion 2026.

In the men’s category, Pyry Posio (FIN) dominated the Rail Jam contest.

  Re-watch the Rail Jam  

Beyond the on-snow action in Zell am See-Kaprun, the Finals once again delivered a complete experience for young riders from all over the world. From workshops to shared moments off the slopes, the World Rookie Tour continues to be a place where riders grow, connect and build something that goes far beyond results.

Because this is not just about winning, it’s about stepping up, pushing limits and becoming part of the next generation shaping the future of snowboarding.

And if this week proved anything, it’s that the level is rising fast.

From massive Big Air tricks to creative Slopestyle lines and heavy Rail Jam action, the Finals delivered some of the most exciting moments of the season.

The future is here. And it’s just getting started.

Information:

registration@worldrookietour.com

Phone +39 059 9783397 (also WhatsApp)

Follow the World Rookie Tour and get ready for an epic winter, where every ride could become the launchpad for a pro career!

If your dream is to become a professional athlete, then your future begins on the World Rookie Tour.

If you want more information about our project and wish to become a partner, contact us at: info@worldrookietour.com

World Rookie Tour Media Manager

Marco Sampaoli - marco@moonsrl.it - Tel +39.059.9783397 or +39.340.328.55.69

World Rookie Tour Event Coordinator

Meinhard Trojer - meinhardtrojer@powdern.com - Tel +43.650.56.37.424

The World Rookie Tour is organized by the Black Yeti ssrl in collaboration with World Snowboard Federation and its National Snowboard Associations. It consists of a selection of high quality International events, the so called “Rookie Fests”, reserved for riders under 18’s only, in Europe, North and South America, Oceania and Asia. The World Rookie Tour consists not only of competitions: it also features loads of other activities to help rookies to grow in the field of professional snowboarding, such as photo & video shootings, avalanche and rescue clinics, meetings with photographers and international team managers, parties, and English talks. Since year zero it awards tickets to world class events such as The Arctic Challenge, The Air & Style, The World Snowboarding Championships, invitations to professional snowboard photo & video shootings, and freeride trip in Chile. Every year the tour crowns the World Rookie Champion at the end of season, at the World Rookie Finals, a unique event where the best youngsters from almost 30 countries compete and have fun. More information at www.worldrookietour.com

ABOUT BLACK YETI ssd

The Black Yeti is a sport company dedicated to the realization of snowboard, freeski and skateboard projects for boys and girls up to 18 years of age, in Italy and abroad. One of the most successful project is the World Rookie Tour, the biggest and the most famous tour in the action sports world that attracts 3.000 young athletes from 30 nations to the events called “Rookie Fest”, organized all over the world: Europe, North and South America, Oceania and Asia. The Rookie Fests program includes not only the competition but also many side activities such as avalanche and rescue clinics, workshops and English talks.

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