Featured Picture: Photograph by Darka Šefčík Stárnová.
“Quicker. All the time.”That was the spirit in Salzburg on October 9, the place the annual Atomic Media Day as soon as once more introduced collectively most of the largest names in world snowboarding, together with media and model companions, to launch the brand new pre-season of pleasure and anticipation.
A Heat Welcome and Shared Delight
The occasion’s host opened with trademark humor and vitality, greeting the viewers with a smile: “Welcome to Salzburg, girls and gents. The Atomic Media Day is kicking off one of the best month of the yr.”
He added, jokingly: “All the time presently of yr, I understand how dangerous my coaching was for the winter season.”
Behind the laughter was a shared pleasure — a sense of group constructed round greater than innovation and expertise. Atomic Media Day celebrated folks — the athletes, coaches, and creators — who make the game what it’s.
A Tribute to Matteo Franzoso and a Name for Security
“Sadly, one thing occurred this summer season that none of us ever need to occur. A younger Italian athlete, Matteo Franzoso, crashed throughout coaching in Chile and handed away from his accidents.”
With these phrases, Christian Höflehner, Atomic’s World Race Supervisor, delivered a heartfelt tribute to Matteo Franzoso.He shared a private reminiscence of the younger racer’s first Kitzbühel expertise — a day that ended with Franzoso ending final after a 45-minute race interruption, but crossing the road with the largest smile of all.
“He was all the time cheerful, full of life, a form and humorous particular person. It is a huge shock for all of us,” Höflehner mentioned quietly. “That’s the image we need to bear in mind.”
Quite than silence, the organizers selected to honor Franzoso with applause — the identical vitality he all the time dropped at the slopes.
“He was an athlete lively and fervour, and we need to respect that. So, girls and gents, please give a giant hand remembering Matteo Franzoso.”
Because the viewers rose for a minute-long standing ovation, the room full of emotion that phrases couldn’t absolutely seize.
That second naturally transitioned right into a deeper dialog — one about security in pace disciplines. Regardless of developments in tools and coaching, danger stays a part of the game. Audio system emphasised respecting limits, sustaining secure situations, and making ready mentally in addition to bodily.
Matteo’s legacy grew to become greater than a reminiscence — it grew to become a reminder that zeal for pace should all the time go hand in hand with respect for security.
A New Period for Atomic and the Subsequent Technology
After the emotional tribute, consideration shifted to the long run. James Fairbank, Atomic’s Vice President of Advertising and marketing, outlined the model’s path and launched improvements for the 2025–26 season.
“The legacy of getting 70 years formed by such an unimaginable sport… for Atomic, the DNA is rooted in racing,” he mentioned, unveiling the brand new Redster Line with enhanced G9 and S9 fashions and next-generation boots.
The slogan “Quicker. All the time.” captured greater than pace — it expressed Atomic’s enduring philosophy of progress.
“‘Quicker’ reminds us the place we got here from — 70 years of racing heritage — and ‘All the time’ means wanting ahead in each attainable method,” Fairbank mentioned.
Alongside product innovation, Atomic spotlighted its new “Juniors to Champions” program, designed to information younger athletes on their path to success.Jürgen Graller, Atomic’s Native Racing Supervisor for Europe and head of the JTC program, shared the way it started as an experiment and grew into one thing particular.
“At first, we didn’t know precisely what we have been doing, I’ve to be sincere. However we discovered inventive concepts that go far past conventional youth help. Scripting this story and dwelling by way of it with athletes and coaches is one thing actually distinctive. We’re pleased with what we’ve began — and we are able to’t wait to welcome the subsequent technology.”
Redster Stars Shine
The highlight then turned to the athletes — the faces of Atomic’s Redster household.On account of again points, Manuel Feller was unable to attend, however the stage was nonetheless full of an distinctive lineup of stars:Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR), Sofia Goggia (ITA), Marco Schwarz (AUT), Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA), Zrinka Ljutić (CRO), Raphael Haaser (AUT), Mirjam Puchner (AUT), Daniel Yuletide (SUI), Alex Vinatzer (ITA), Niels Hintermann (SUI), Malorie Blanc (FRA), Tanguy Nef (SUI), Fabio Gstrein (AUT), Adrian Sejersted (NOR), and Fredrik Moeller (NOR).
They shared insights, objectives, and feelings earlier than the brand new season — tales that mirrored each humility and starvation.Extra from these conversations may be heard within the Snowboarding Is Believing podcast or learn within the follow-up athlete characteristic. To learn extra on these athletes and their tales from the Atomic Media Day click on right here.
A Neighborhood United by Ardour
From the primary snigger to the ultimate applause, Atomic Media Day 2025 stood out as way over a press occasion.It was a celebration of emotion, respect, and dedication — a reminder that behind each second on the clock stand years of dedication, shared values, and the relentless spirit that continues to drive Atomic ahead.
