Review: ISPO Munich 2012

80,000 industry guests from over 100 countries flocked to this year's ISPO in Munich. As usual, the Marker Völkl stand was one of the strongest draws. Among the notable visitors: Völkl team rider Cristian Deville, a recent winner in Kitzbühel. A number of high caliber freeski talents also came by to pay tribute – including Sam Smoothy, current leader on the Freeride World Tour. He and his Marker Völkl team colleagues came by the stand to celebrate the Global Launch Party for the World Heli Challenge 2012.

Cristian Deville + Reef Girls @ ISPO 2012

Cristian Deville: Sexy welcoming party for the winner at Kitzbühel
It's enough to make even a cool alpine athlete like Cristian Deville a bit warm! The slalom ace apparently intended to make just a quick stop by his sponsor's ISPO stand and maybe sign a few autographs. But the genial Italian ended up catching the attention of the sexy Reef Girls. These bikini-clad beauties – and their ever-present bodyguard – draped themselves around the Kitzbühel champion, bringing with them a flood of camera flashes that briefly washed away thoughts of the actual stars of the trade fair: the new products from Marker and Völkl.

Kick-off of the World Heli Challenge at the trade fair stand
One ISPO highlight was the Global Launch Party for the World Heli Challenge 2012. Late in the afternoon on Monday, the second day of the fair, a Who's Who of the international freeride scene gathered at the Marker Völkl stand to enjoy a cold Corona and marvel at the big-screen premier of the new World Heli Challenge film. Among the faces in the crowd: Sam Smoothy, the leader on the Freeride World Tour, and Ane Enderud, the two-time winner of the women's World Freeride Tour. Both Völkl team riders are already registered for the World Heli Challenge 2012, to be held from April 14 – 24 in Valdez, Alaska and from August 1 – 14 in Wanaka, New Zealand.