A lot has happened at the Swatch Nines: on the one hand, Swatch has replaced the previous title sponsor Audi - on the other hand, the new sponsor also brings a new route: until 2021, the freeride event took place in the Ellweiler quarry, last year there was a break and now it will be held from 14 to 20 August in the Green Hill Bike Park near Schmallenberg in the Sauerland region. The new course is set to challenge the world's best mountain bikers with a mix of technical expertise and innovation. Good news for all live event fans: the Public Days are on 18 and 19 August, when spectators can experience the top athletes on site.
"It's amazing to see how the long process of a year of planning is already bearing fruit after just three weeks of construction. We are looking forward to hearing what the riders of the Swatch Nines think of the new location. The fact that we can open the track to the public after the event so that our guests can enjoy it for a long time to come is something very special," explains Green Hill Bikepark Managing Director Felix Saller.
Swatch Nines: Highlights of the Green Hill Bike Park
The Green Hill Bikepark consists of several slopestyle and freeride lines that merge into one another. We have an overview of the highlights of each line.
Rose Scrub Feature
The course starts at the "Drop Tower" with great intensity and then leads to the "Rose Scrub Feature". Here, riders can choose from several jumps and get creative on the course.
The skate park in the trees
The skate park in the trees is a 40 metre long, elevated skate park and is ideally integrated into the MTB slopestyle course. Various spine options give riders the opportunity to do endless laps. One of the spines leads to a step-down next to the Swatch Nines Skatebowl, which means that mountain bikers can ride here together with a hand-picked group of skateboarders: This is where different disciplines come together seamlessly to create a special experience.
Big Air
The previous two courses end in the so-called Big Air. Riders can choose between three different jumps: There is one for freeride bikes and one for solpestyle bikes. The last jump is a progressive kicker with an airbag in the landing zone.
Opinions on the Swatch Nines MTB 2023
Patricia Druwen (16) from Bergisch-Gladbach, leader of the FMB World Tour: "It means a lot to me to return to the Swatch Nines after winning the Become A Nine video contest in 2021 and to be able to show in my home country how much I have developed since my first Nines - in front of my home crowd, family and friends."
Daniel Ruso (Austria), who is competing in the Swatch Nines together with his brother Elias, explains: "The Nines are very important to both of us; it's where we've achieved a lot as athletes and developed. We feel really well prepared and ready to tackle the new venue at Green Hill Bike Park. The new set-up looks insanely good and we can't wait to see lots of action here. The big air section in particular is perfect for us to show off some bangers. This week the Nines will be our playground for innovation and creativity. It's a great feeling."
BYND The Hill Festival and Public Days next weekend
The BYND The Hill Festival will also take place at Green Hill Bikepark from 18 to 20 August. On the Public Days of this year's Swatch Nines (18 and 19 August), festival participants can experience the mountain bikers live. A day ticket for the festival is available from just 15 euros.
The schedule for the Public Days
Friday, 18 August:
- 10:00 am: BYND The Hill Festival Opening (Location: BYND The Hill Expo Area)
- 10:00 to 13:00: Signing Session, Meet & Greet (Location: Riders Village)
- 16:00 to 19:00: Swatch Nines Public Sunset Shooting (Location: Swatch Nines Setup)
- 19:30: Green Hill film premiere (Location: BYND The Hill Area)
- 21:00: DJ JBM (Location: BYND The Hill Area)
- 22:00: TUBE & BERGER KITTBALL RECORDS (Location: BYND The Hill Area)
Saturday, 19 August:
- 13:00 to 16:00: Swatch Nines Finals Day (Location: Swatch Nines Setup)
- 20:00: Swatch Nines Gala Night-Public Livestream (Location: BYND The Hill Area)
- 22:00: DJ What, DJ Craft(K.I.Z), GHB Resident Noah (Location: BYND The Hill Area)
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
