Ursus Rookie Fest 2026 wraps up in Madonna di Campiglio
Where competition, progression and community came together

The Ursus Rookie Fest has officially wrapped up in Madonna di Campiglio (Trentino), delivering a compact but high-impact stop of the World Rookie Tour in the heart of the Dolomites. Originally planned over multiple competition days, the event program was reshaped by challenging weather conditions, with heavy snowfall and limited visibility requiring a flexible and responsive approach from the organization.

Due to adverse weather, the official competition was held over two days, prioritising quality over quantity. Riders competed across Grom and Rookie categories in demanding alpine conditions that rewarded smart decision-making, clean execution and consistency. The Ursus Snowpark slopestyle setup proved to be progressive and well-balanced, allowing athletes to push their level while maintaining control—key elements in long-term rider development.

The women’s competitions immediately set a high standard. In the Grom Women category, France’s Aurélia Liegeard claimed victory with a confident and composed performance, followed by Italy’s Arianna Ballardini in second place and New Zealand’s Charlee Hill in third.

The Rookie Women's competition confirmed an impressive technical level. Taking the win, Mariia Nikolskaia delivered a standout performance with a winning run featuring a cab 900 tail grab into a back double 1080 mute, a combination that clearly demonstrated confidence, control and progression at this stage of development. She was joined on the podium by Anna Tomanová from the Czech Republic in second place and France’s Norah Scott Labbè in third, highlighting the strong international depth of the category.
The men’s competitions delivered equally strong performances. In the Grom Men category, Australia’s Hartley Zietsch secured first place after a focused and consistent contest, with Italy’s Valter Panzeri finishing second and Finland’s Ukko Raatikainen taking third.

The Rookie Men final underlined the very high level of progression on display throughout the event. Taking the win, Pyry Posio delivered a technically demanding and well-executed performance with a winning run featuring a switch backside Weddle 1260 into a frontside 1260, followed by a switch board-under flip 630 out into a switch backside 270 in pull-back. A run that showcased control, amplitude and consistency under challenging conditions. France’s Lenny Collomb Paton secured second place, while Australia’s James Garth completed the podium in third, confirming the strong international level of the field.

For many athletes, the results achieved in Madonna di Campiglio translated into valuable points not only for the World Rookie Tour ranking, but also for the WSPL and FIS classifications, reinforcing the sporting relevance of the Ursus Rookie Fest within the international competition pathway.

Across all categories, team performance also played a key role. Thanks to consistent results and strong depth throughout the event, the Best Team award was claimed by Finland, confirming the strength of its development system and its growing impact on the international rookie snowboard scene.
When weather conditions made further competition impossible, the event shifted direction without losing momentum. Taking advantage of the significant snowfall, the organization added a dedicated backcountry day, bringing together rookies and local riders for a shared mountain experience. This day focused on riding, safety awareness and mountain culture, offering a different but equally meaningful form of progression beyond the contest format.

Off snow, the Ursus Rookie Fest continued to reflect the broader values of the World Rookie Tour. During the event, riders took part in a special inclusive art workshop led by photographer and artist Ania Grzelka, together with young participants from the Sereno Variabile group of the Gamma community based in Cremona (Italy). Starting from clean skateboard decks, participants worked side by side, transforming them into unique pieces of art and sharing an experience that went beyond sport, competition and results.

With competition, backcountry riding and creative exchange all coming together, the Ursus Rookie Fest once again proved to be more than just a contest. It delivered a complete experience where performance, personal growth and community coexist. Confirming Madonna di Campiglio as one of the most meaningful stops on the World Rookie Tour calendar and setting the tone for the rest of the season.