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For seven years in a row, snowboarding has found its way to the perfect city. Innsbruck, a city of 20,000, is again the place to be if you want to see an elite class of straight jumpers going off huge kickers. And again there is a whole week planned around this Innsbruck Air & Style event. In Friday's practice, Stefan Gruber, who finally made it into the event, had more bad luck than you can imagine. Today he broke his collarbone and had to go straight to the doctor. So did Mike Basich, by hitting his mouth pretty hard on his knee.

"If today's session is any indication, two names to watch are Markku Koski (FIN) and Henri Sankala (FIN). Koski is former junior World Champ and Sankala is the defending ISF Junior World Champ....."

The straight jump got hit and so did the quarterpipe. If today's session is any indication, two names to watch are Markku Koski (FIN) and Henri Sankala (FIN). Koski is former Junior World Champ and Sankala is the defending ISF Junior World Champ. He stayed over at my house this week and is easy-going and has a coooool style. So does contender Wolle Nyvelt (AUT). He went fakie 5 on that big quarter today and is also an amazing skater. Tech represent on a nice amplitude.

Today is also the launch of the new Air and Style magazine in the city. My girlfriend is already getting dressed for the party and pushing me to leave. The quarterpipe session will go off Saturday, with Börny Börnson doing the color commentary.

— Nils, MountainZone.com European Correspondent