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WORLD ROOKIE SNOWBOARD FINALS
These Are the 2026 Rising-Star Champions
March 28, 2026 – With the World Rookie Snowboard Finals at Kitzsteinhorn from March 21 to March 28, the World Rookie Tour 2025/26 reached its crowning season finale. In the big final, the best up-and-coming riders from around the world went head-to-head for the prestigious U18 titles in Slopestyle, Big Air, and Rail.
Grom = U16 // Rookie = U18
Results 2026 World Rookie Snowboard Finals
2026 BIG AIR ROOKIE CHAMPIONS
Grom Women ▸ Marie Kuhlmann, GER
Grom Men ▸ Valter Panzeri, ITA
Rookie Women ▸ Mariia Nikolskaia, AIN
Rookie Men ▸ Dmytro Luchkin, UKR
The Big Air contest in Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn kicked off Finals Week. In the Groms category, Germany's Marie Kuhlmann took the win in the women's field, after already turning heads this winter with her surprise victory at Rock A Rail in Innsbruck. In the Rookie category, Mariia Nikolskaia (AIN) claimed the title with a Backside 1080 Mute. In the men's field, 14-year-old Valter Panzeri (ITA) won the Groms category. In the Rookie category, Dmytro Luchkin (UKR) impressed with a clean Backside 1620 and earned his first World Rookie Snowboard Champion title.
2026 SLOPESTYLE ROOKIE CHAMPIONS
Grom Women ▸ Marie Kuhlmann, GER
Grom Men ▸ Norin Keller, SUI
Rookie Women ▸ Mariia Nikolskaia, AIN
Rookie Men ▸ Dmytro Luchkin, UKR
The Snowpark crew at Kitzsteinhorn delivered an unconventional, creative slopestyle course: no big kicker, but plenty of rail features, a knuckle, and a massive hip that produced the most spectacular moments of the contest. Riders threw, among other tricks, Backside 900s, Haakon Flips, Cab 720s, and big Alley-Oops.
In the women's field, Marie Kuhlmann and Mariia Nikolskaia won again, each securing their second World Rookie Snowboard Champion title. In the men's field, Dmytro Luchkin backed it up: after Big Air, he also took slopestyle gold. In the Groms category, Switzerland's Norin Keller celebrated the win.
2026 RAIL ROOKIE CHAMPIONS
Grom Women ▸ Juri Nakayama, JPN
Grom Men ▸ Norin Keller, SUI
Rookie Women ▸ Mariia Nikolskaia, AIN
Rookie Men ▸ Pyry Posio, FIN
In the Groms category, Norin Keller (SUI) came out on top again, earning his second win. In the women's field, Juri Nakayama (JPN) impressed with a strong performance. In the Rookie category, Mariia Nikolskaia delivered the sensation: she won the Rail Jam as well and became a three-time World Rookie winner in 2026. Pyry Posio (FIN) dominated the men's competition.
Side Program
Beyond the on-snow action, the event once again featured a varied side program for kids and teens from around the world. From a basketball workshop to a tattoo workshop, there was plenty of variety. The World Rookie Tour is far more than sport – it's where friendships form that stay with young riders throughout their careers and their lives.
It's not just the athletic performance that makes this event, but also the energy, passion, and community off the competition course. Connections made during these days will last far into the future for many of the young riders – and we're truly proud of that.
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Media Contact
Birgit Gruber
birgit@gruber.tirol
+43 676 5300200