Winner’s circle.
The Trikke world’s most well-known Skki competition is over for another year, but the memories live on — in Poland, where the event took place, and in the various parts of the world the competitors call home. So what will attendees remember most about this year’s 5th Annual Fakro Cup International Trikke Skki Championship?
For the answers, TrikkeWorld turned to three people who were there for their personal perspective:
Joris de Luij, operations manager for Trikke Europe, who received his first T8 as a gift in 2004, and was immediately hooked.
Nabeel Arshad, a resident of Manchester in the United Kingdom, where he and his family own 20 Trikkes. Arshad is also the first Brit and first Pakistani to participate in the Fakro Cup.
And Tomasz Dziedzic of Trikke Poland, who was instrumental in bringing the Fakro Cup to Poland after the first European Skki competition in Switzerland.
Here’s what each had to say when asked about this year’s event.
TrikkeWorld Magazine: The 2012 Fakro Cup, how was it?
Joris de Luij: This was the best one so far. The first editions were set up as an event for new riders. The races where good, but over the years, this has evolved into a more mature event, with matured riders as well. So it is racing down to the milliseconds. One wrong turn, or too much sliding, will move you one or two places back.
Nabeel Arshad: It was definitely one of the best things I’ve done in my life. It was my first experience with the Skki but not my last. I’ll be back next year and the year after and so on.
Rowdy bunch.
Tomasz Dziedzic: So far, the best Fakro Cup ever, with beautiful weather, the quickest tracks and the most emotion. The competitors were very even, the difference in times among them minimal. You didn’t know who was going to win until the very end. The skill levels were higher, that gladdens me most.
TWM: What was the most memorable part of the weekend?
Joris de Luij: The -28ºC weather. I’ve never seen or felt temperatures that cold. Not even in my freezer!
Nabeel Arshad: When I beat about nine competitors out of 23, since I’m only a beginner, this being my first time. Loved it.
Tomasz Dziedzic: The downhill ride on the Skki Track. This is a magical place. When you’re alone, you hear the hum of the snow under your Skki and feel the wind under your helmet. It’s only you, speed and adrenaline. A great thing.
TWM: What was the most challenging part of the weekend?
Joris de Luij: Remaining focused on the races. We’re all having a great time, talking about Trikke, how to make the best turns and highest speeds, but all of a sudden you’re up next and you need to be focused on the track again. One mistake and you’re down on the leader-board. Next year, I must focused better to take the lead!
The Powder Principle.
Nabeel Arshad: Proving to myself, I will not come in last at the Fakro Cup. It was a crash course. Thank you, Joris, who gave me tips all the way through.
Tomasz Dziedzic: Surely the Trikke Skki Extreme Cross, because this is mad competition.
TWM: What makes the Fakro Cup so special and worth attending?
Joris de Luij: It’s very special to see all these people enjoying the Trikke Skki. I’m also very impressed by the quality of the Skki in these high performance races. The forces that come on the cambering mechanism and other structures are huge, so big thumbs up to Gildo Beleski and his team!
Nabeel Arshad: It’s so competitive. It drives all the Trikkers wild. There’s no time to slack. It’s straight down to business and load of fun.
Tomasz Dziedzic: Thanks this event, people uncover their youth, smile and joy. To be visible on films, in pictures and on television is the best advertisement for Trikke and the Skki.
Speed racer.
TWM: Anything you’d like to say to people who haven’t been to the Fakro Cup?
Joris de Luij: The surroundings are idyllic and the people are very friendly, open and die-hard Trikke fans. There’s no better way to experience the Trikke Skki than on a Skki track. It’s something you don’t want to miss in your Trikke-life!
Nabeel Arshad: For anyone who wants to experience Formula One racing on a Trikke Skki on a Skki Track, this is the place.
Tomasz Dziedzic: Here, you will find your youth, emotions, and mad track and techniques. You will get to know the world’s most splendid Trikkers, smiling, hospitable. And nowhere has a place like our Skki Track, 2km of snow through 23 turns! This is magic.
See photos from the 2012 Fakro Cup on Facebook here, here and here.
See videos from the 2012 Fakro Cup on YouTube here, here and here.
Also check out these TrikkeWorld stories:
Skki competition heats up Poland
An American in Poland
About Randy Boyd
