19th March saw the Analog crew descend on Avoriaz for the Design Unlikely Features contest on the winning DUF obstacle. Check what went down…

As you’ll know, Analog’s Design Unlikey Features contest offered you guys the chance to submit your most creative park obstacle designs, with one being chosen to be made up in real life and sessioned the hell out of in the Avoriaz park. Sylvain Vidal’s The Stairs feature was the winner, and after it was unveiled a fun session went down on it. Here’s how it unfolded.

Although the event started late due to heavy snowfall kicking back the unveiling of the winning feature (‘The Stairs’ by Sylvain Vidal) to around eleven on Saturday morning, there was a solid turnout of locals with around 30 participants subscribing to enter the contest.

‘The Stairs’ consisted in a gap to stairs, a pole jam, a double flat rail and also included a wall on one side, meaning there was heaps of possibilities to shred the shit out of it on the Chapelle park. And even better is this sick feature will stay in Avoriaz for everyone to enjoy for the rest of the season.

Sylvain, the winner of the design contest, was pretty stoked the night before to enter his room in Avoriaz and discover that not only had Analog offered him a whole weekend at the resort, they’d also filled his room up with Analog gear. and upon seeing his creation for the first time with everybody else, he was pretty stoked how the module came out.

Entering the contest alongside a good bunch of locals – both French and British – Sylvain also proved that he had what it takes to actually throw it down on his own design. Under pretty much continuous snowfall, the 30ish riders sessionned for a good hour-and-half to finally get cut to the best 8, including THE girl of the contest, Yvonne Priest, and hard slammer/attempter Ben Francis.

That’s when Droz and Mamar, locals and international legends decided to give the feature a seeing to, for the pleasure of the crowd. Judges and pro Analog riders Nils Shack and Kike Carcelen also enjoyed it while an injured – and gutted – Wojtek was reduced to the role of photographer.

After twenty minutes of finals, it was getting clear that Jeremy Dunant was killing it, especially with his über stylish Frontbards 270s and Pole to FS 3 nosebone. Second positions, his mate Mikael De Rose, pretty close with some sick Blunt 270s. Then in a tie 3rd, Sean Temelty (Nosepress revert back) and Marc Andre Seguin ‘Mr Tight Pants’. Alexandre Paré closing the prize giving ceremony with damn nice fronboards.

Thanks to Sylvain for designer such a ill feature, to Avoriaz and Jean-No for the welcome, and Grego from Analog for being an amped organizer and MC, and also, for putting us in the pimpest flat you can imagine. By the way, I’m heading to our private sauna with a view right now. That should wake us up for the after event party in The Place, with a live act fro Parisian rock band Ed-Äke.

– Words & Photos: Youri Barneoud.