Jossi and Russ represent ‘Down Under’ at the Jon Olsson Super Sessions
Russ in the Red Bull Jib Garden. Image – Klaus Polzer
Aussie freeski super star Russ Henshaw has teamed up with New Zealand’s Jossi Wells – just announced winner of the Association of Freeski Professionals (AFP) 2010 overall world title – for the 2010 Jon Olsson Super Sessions (JOSS), taking place in Are, Sweden from April 5 to 15.
Called the ‘Down Under’ team, Henshaw and Wells will work with filmers Jase Hancox, of NZ’s Basket Productions, and Jake Largess for the comp, in which teams have 11 days and free run of Are’s epic features to make a 5-minute video edit.
New for the 2010 JOSS, each team will also include a ‘rookie’, who must not have competed in X Games before 2010. The Down Under team rookie is Jindabyne NSW local Dhanu ‘Danger’ Sherpa.
Jossi Wells. Corked 360. Image – Nate Abbott
The boys are up against six other teams, Sweden, Norway, Europe, USA, Canada and the Newschoolers, in the invitation only comp, which is the brainchild of Swedish freeski legend Jon Olsson.
“It feels great to finally have kickstarted JOSS 2010,” said Olsson, who is one of the world’s best known and most decorated freeskiers. “I’m pleased to once again get to invite my friends to Are. The jump felt awesome – many of us jumped over eight metres high, although it only was a test day. That combined with the glorious spring weather makes me convinced that JOSS 2010 will be the best ever.” He said.
The JOSS story
Voted Europe’s most prestigious freeskiing event, JOSS began in 2008 off the back of the Jon Olsson Invitational (JOI) – a big air competition that has been running since 2005. In 2010 the competition promises to be bigger than ever. After the 11 days of filming on Are’s world class features, the video edits will be played at a gala evening event, at which a slew of awards, including ‘best trick’ and ‘best stack’ will be awarded and the winner takes all prize money for first place will be announced.
Jossi Wells in the Red Bull Jib Garden. Image – Nate Abbott
Are’s Features
The competitors have the JOI feature jump, a hip, a step over kicker and the Red Bull Jip Garden to play with, along with free run of the urban terrain around Are, they’ll have access to lights, winches and generators to give them every opportunity to get creative in the Are backyards.
Russ Henshaw. Image -Shay Williams
Henshaw could win world title
The Jon Olsson Invitational big air competition will be held on the final day of JOSS, offering Henshaw the opportunity to take out the AFP 2010 big air world title. The 19 year old is currently sitting a close first on the ranking list and will need a good result at the JOI to take the 2010 crown.
The competition’s progress can be followed on the JOSS website’s daily video and photo blogs.
