Inaugural Snow Epic a success in Switzerland

The inaugural Snow Epic fatbike festival has wrapped up in Switrzerland. After a climatically quiet first day, the skies opened up and dumped plenty of snow in the mountains and valleys surrounding Engelberg.

Esther Süss continued her dominance on her home snow, topping the women’s standings ahead of countrymate Alba Wunderlin. German Amber Stull rounded out the top three after the four events spread over the weekend.

Spanish rider Tomi Misser finished the weekend the way he entered, taking the overall top honours. Misser was on the podium in all but one event, the 41 year-old proving that skill and experience are a winning combination. Rune Hoydahl of Norway claimed second overall in the men’s, edging Silvio Büsser of Switzerland to take third place.

Canadian Matt Lapointe entered the Snow Epic as a way to celebrate his 35th birthday. The racer from Thunder Bay, Ont., finished a strong 30th in the overall rankings. Lapointe was the only one of two Canadians entered to successfully finish the event.

The Snow Epic is organized by the same group that oversee the ABSA Cape Epic, an early season stage race in South Africa. In its debut format, the Snow Epic included five races spread out over an extended weekend, including an uphill, a downhill, and a nighttime eliminator.

Though dates have not been released, the event is expected to take place again in 2016.