The Rip Off Session by Sven Thorgren

Cover photo by Sami Tuoriniemi

The Rip Off Session format is inspired by an event that really influenced me as a kid called the Oxborn Session. I was too young to participate back then, but I remember it being super entertaining, which stuck with me and I’ve always had the idea in the back of my mind to create an event just like it, so when the time was right I made a call to Jon Oxborn, the guy behind the original event and asked if I could “steal” his concept. He was stoked and really supportive.

The format itself consists of a one-hour jam session split into three 20-minute segments: STYLE, BEST TRICK, and HIGHEST AIR. I love that it’s quick and keeps the energy high. It’s a win-win for the riders, the crowd, and especially the live stream.

The event happens during the Kläppen Spring Session when they rebuild the snowpark with a unique setup for a full-on weekend a truly maxed-out weekend, so this first year was sort of a proof of the concept, but it ended up being a huge success, and a lot of riders showed up. Oyvind Kirkhus has definitely impressed me all season, and he came through swinging at Rip Off, it was no surprise that he took the best overall. I was also impressed by how well Tova Neijne (Best Trick winner) and Novalie Engholm (Highest Air winner) rode, I felt like they really stepped up and got out of their comfort zone!

Now, the goal is to make it even bigger. Working with Kläppen and our sponsors to create this event was an absolute pleasure. We definitely learned a lot on how we can improve, which we will! It was sick that so many people came out and as a result, we realized that the lift line was a bit long, so we are planning to open the chairlift that goes to the top of the mountain and build a park all the way down! We believe it will be the world’s longest park, maybe…