SWATCH NINES ANNOUNCED
With a new name and location but the same philosophy of action sports evolution, the Swatch Nines presented by Falken will make its debut from the 17th to the 22nd of April, 2023 in Schilthorn, Switzerland, concluding with a public demonstration day on Saturday, April 22nd.
Throughout its 15-year history of athletic progression and design innovation in skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking, the unconventional event series known over the years as Knights, Queens, Royals, and finally Nines has undergone many transformations. With new partnerships and an atmospheric new venue in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps, the latest metamorphosis of Nines promises to be its most playful.
In 2023 Nines welcomes a distinguished new partner, Swatch. With over 30 years of involvement and influence in action sports, the Swiss watchmaker's unmatched heritage and renowned design aesthetic promise to elevate the event to new levels.
“Swatch Nines is one of the few non-competitive events that attracts world-class talent while providing the season's most creative and spectacular setups. We’re excited to enter into this partnership that embodies the spirit of what action sports represent for Swatch. Swatch Nines will support athletes and emerging talents as an outlet of total freedom for creativity and personal expression.” —Swatch CEO, Alain Villard
In addition, the new event venue in Schilthorn, Switzerland, with its breath taking backdrop of iconic peaks including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, presents a truly eye-catching Nines location. Schilthorn joins the biannual winter venue rotation alongside the much-loved Crans-Montana as they alternate as hosts to the Winter event.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with our new partners and location. The combination of a partner with such a deep heritage in action sports, and a venue that’s more visually spectacular than we’ve ever had before, will help propel Nines into a new era. This motivates us to keep reinventing ourselves, now and for years to come.” —Swatch Nines founder Nico Zacek
TWO PATHWAYS TO BECOME A NINE
New in 2023, there are now two different ways for up-and-coming riders to earn an invite to Swatch Nines. As usual, the Become A Nine video contest, now online at thenines.cc/ba9 will offer four invitations—two for skiers and two for snowboarders. A new partnership with the World Rookie Tour will add four new invitations for the tour champions—male and female, skier and snowboarder.
PUBLIC DAY ON THE 22ND OF APRIL
For everyone who doesn’t make it onto the invite list, there’s still a way to experience Swatch Nines. On Saturday, the 22nd of April, the event will open its doors for a public demonstration day, inviting all comers to Schilthorn to witness this one-of-a-kind snowsports extravaganza in person.
For more information on the Swatch Nines, visit thenines.cc.