He is one of Austria´s "rising stars". The 22 year-old HOTZONE.TV team rider Werni Stock is already rocking the international snowboard business. Respectfully and with great honour, the smart guy from "Zillertal" is looking forward to his "home" contest, the Billabong Air & Style 09/II, which might probably become the best Air & Style in history!

Werni Stock has not only rented the air time for himself! He is also one of the upcoming stars in style. He already flashed us with an incredible potential at numerous prestigious contests like the Nokia Air & Style in Munich, Arctic Challenge oder the Billabong Air & Style in Innsbruck. The HOTZONE.TV team rider collects smart movie parts at the new HOTZONE.TV team movie "Dudeication" and the Absinthe movie "Neverland" on his list.

Werni Stock is respectfully looking forward to the biggest and the world´s most legendary competition in snowboarding, which is going to take place in his “home” stadium at the Bergisel in Innsbruck.

The new old discipline of a big air straight jump suits him quite well and Werni Stock is full of honour and also a little proud to be competing “at home in Tyrol” with  the best riders of the world at one of the greatest contests in history.

It is going to be thrilling on Saturday! Keep your fingers crossed for Werni Stock and look forward to a great show!

Stay tuned on Method.TV for the LIVE stream!

Werni Stock Q&A

How and when did you start snowboarding?  Remember your first day on a snowboard?
"I started snowboarding about 13 years ago. My brother got a snowboard for Christmas. He did not really have fun, so I grabbed it and checked it out. That was the day, when I discovered my great passion!"

Why are you snowboarding?
“First, it was a great challenge for me! Now, snowboarding has become a part of my lifestyle and also turned out to be a job, making me happy every day, when I go up on the mountain!“



What are your plans for the winter?
"This winter, I will go for some more contests. I am quite happy with my 6th place at the freestyle.berlin. The starter field and riding level were really impressive with Peetu Piiroinen, Sebastien Toutant and all the good riders, who are also competing for the Air & Style. Now, the Billabong Air & Style 09/II is on and afterwards I would like to go for the Air & Style in Moskov and the Nanshan Open in China. Beside this, I really want to go filming again with the Absinthe crew and get a good part at the HOTZONE.TV team movie. I have some more cool filming projects on the schedule with the Aesthetiker crew and also for Epson."



How do you get prepared for the Billabong Air & Style 09/II?
"Actually by snowboarding... since the HOTZONE.TV Park Opening has taken place in Hintertux, I have one of the best parks of the Alps right in front of me. This is, why I have been training a lot at home in Hintertux."



What do you like most about the Billabong Air & Style 09/II?
“I am really looking forward to the straight jump kicker because I like it so much more than the quarter pipe. I could ride kickers like this in my training and gained a lot of confidence for the contest.
The Billabong Air & Style will surely be pushed to a higher level again! Regarding the starter field, including the very best riders of the world, this will be the top of snowboarding! Don´t miss it!”



What are your goals for the Billabong Air & Style 09/II?
"The world´s best 16 riders are going for this competition. The opponents are being drawn and the contest works on k.o. system. This means for me, that I might get a rival of higher or lower riding level, it will be drawn by the lot. I will give my best and try to give it a big show with new tricks, enjoying the amazing atmosphere with all my friends and fans from home. Probably, I am going to be lucky and advance to the top eight. I will take it as it comes! It is surely going to be a super event, pushing the riding level to burst!"



What does the Billabong Air & Style 09/II mean to you?
“ As Tyrolian, the Air & Style in Innsbruck has always been a highlight for me. I always watched the competition from the tribune and chased after autographs from Stefan Gimpl and Nicolas Müller.
Today, I am kind of proud to take part in this event together with my idols. It is even a greater honour to experience this great atmosphere as local rider in Innsbruck!”



What are you doing apart from Snowboarding?
"Whenever I am not snowboarding, I think of snowboarding. Well, I spend a lot of time with my friends, my girl friend, family, sports, rc racing, music and just enjoy my life. I like being out in the nature, exercising my sport whenever I can. In summer, I work for my parent´s hotel as hiking- bike- and canyoning guide. It is good to make a change and get prepared for the next season by the way."

Your message to the snowboarders out there:
“Have it your own way! Enjoy yourselves, but never forget to
“stay on the roots!”

Photos by Eli

Werni Stock Hard Facts
Name: Werner Stock
Birthday: 19.09.87
At home in: Mayrhofen, Hintertux, Lanersbach… just Zillertal
Snowboarding since: 1995
Sponsors: Salomon Snowboards, Bonfire, Red Bull, Adidas Eyewear
HOTZONE.TV, Innsider Sportshop
Snowpark:  Vans Penken Park, Betterpark Hintertux
favorite Trick: BS 5
Snowboard Set-Up: Salomon grip 157
Salomon bindings: chief
Salomon boots: malamute

Check out www.hotzone.tv and www.air-style.com for more!