The Kozakov Challenge in the Czech Republic was the site for the European IGSA Championships. This was the first downhill race to happen in the Czech Republic, and proved to be a high caliber hill with a great local community supporting it. Riders from all over the world came to the event in awe of the butter fresh pavement, gnarly banked corners, and long fast straights all with the backdrop of the beautiful Czech countryside.
The locals were what made this event unforgettable. Extremely kind people who would love to share a few good words and a beer with you, cook a warm meal for you before the race, and definitely out party you. The party tent at Kozakov was never empty, and the Czech locals made sure to party harder than any racer out there, a sight unseen at any other race.
Thomas Kahle is one of the leading contributors to the Czech race scene and also an organizer for the Kozakov Challenge. He welcomed all of the racers to the event as they arrived, and made sure everyone was well accommodated. Unfortunately, when the organizers found out many riders would not be attending, they soon found out they were going to be in debt. Not to ruin the race, they continued with smiles and good vibes for all of the racers.
When they found the race came up in 7,000 Euros in debt, Alex Luxat, many of you know him as the creator of Wefunk, jumped in right away and started auctioning off any extra gear he had to save the race. He was able to raise 1300 Euros, but the race still needs help! We are now setting up a Save Kozakov Auction, and encouraging any skate companies to step in to donate any product they want to the auction. All Proceeds will go directly to the Thomas Kahle and the Kozakov Organizers. Please…HELP SAVE KOZAKOV!
Don’t want to be involved in the Auction but still want to help? The paypal donation for Kozakov is here at prahacitylongboards@gmail.com
The race was like no other, here is what some riders had to say about the event:
Mischo Erban
Kozakov was brilliant! The friendly people, great food, perfect race track and the low cost of participation made it one of the best races of the year! Being a Czech native born in Prague I was really proud to have a race like this take place in my home country. Everyone making the race possible did a fantastic job!
As the European Championship this year the race was O.K. But it deserves more! I strongly believe that Kozakov has everything an IGSA World Cup needs to be. High speed, tight turns, crazy scenery, great course length and especially the location. This track was one of the most fun to ride courses that still gave me a chill by the end of the run! Speeds were up to 90km/h for Downhill Skateboarding and up to 100km/h for Street Luge.
Attending such a race in the Czech Republic meant and still means everything in the world to me! I had my heart set on this race since the day I was shown the road to give my personal opinion on it! I really wish that this race has all the best of luck to succeed as a standard race on the IGSA circuit and continues to function for many years to come! You must attend this race next year at all costs! You will not regret it!
The Kozakov Team did everything in their power to make this event special and one of the best. They did just that and won the hearts of all those who participated! Unfortunately, like many first time races, they lost money due to a last minute withdrawal of 50 or so registered riders. You may think it was poor budgeting but believe me the money went towards taking care of those who attended! The quality of the race was there and should be here to stay! I encourage anyone who is willing and able to support races like this as much as they can!
Congratulations to the Kozakov Team for hosting on one of the best races of the year! I will be back next year and cannot wait for another spectacular event!
Alex Luxat –
Kozakov was a blast. It is pure selfishness to support the fundraising, because we want it to happen again. etc... Also skate companies who plan to get a marketshare in eastern europe should think about supporting the Kozakov race: no races - no scene - no market - no biz.
Adam Yates –
bra wat can I say. kosakov had to be the best race on this years european section of the tour. in my eyes nothin came close. the hill was flawless. fast, technical and perfect pavement. the safety was by far the most controlled of any race ive been too with the introduction of the nets. the party, well when the beer tent opens at 10am.....need i say more. yeah, CHEAP AS. the women where sexy as and the locals where accommodating in showin us a good time. total wrap up, get there next year, see for yaself. peace, ozzi
Andreas Johnson (Infamous Bomb Squad) –
By far the best hill in a long time, fresh tar, steep hill, fast and technical.
Michael "Eimer" Mayer IGSA Chief Steward Europe
"Hello, the Name the Downhill Racers know me is Eimer and i call myself the Head of Ewok-City. EC is a nonprofit group of people supporting downhill races and we also supported the Kozakov Challenge 2009. I work on DH-Races in Europe since 2003 as the Chief Steward - i´m sure all the racers visited europe since 2003 know me. KOZAKOV CHALLENGE was a big step for longboarding in europe and worldwide since the political iron fence fell down.
Kozakov Challenge was a fantastic organised Event i never saw before when an event was held the first time. This Team and this Scene in CZ-Republic is definitly worth to be supported by everybody who is in LONGBOARD SZENE/BUISSENES. This Event MUST happen again as a IGSA Worldcup-Race in 2010.
So everybody who got one or more of our Propaganda-Stickers, or who was supported by Ewok-City at a Race in Europe pls drink one beer less next week, and donate this money to the Kozakov Crew. Its not a big thing for 2000 People to drink one beer less to support real Friends(even if you don´t know them) - but its a nightmare if a friend has to drink 2000 beers less couse he organised a big party for his friends.
This Scene is like a big family, couse its not really big and not too commercial - We are all one Family - family members are in trouble so its our all DUTY to help them out."
Thanks to Sven Von Schlachta for all of the pictures! You can see more of his work here at http://www.sven-photo.de/
Overall Results
1st - Martin Siegrist - European Champion 2nd - Christoph Batt 3rd - Sebastian Hertler 4th - Mischo Erban 5th - Patrick Switzer 6th - Ramon Konigshausen 7th - Jakob Raab 8th - Fredrik Lindstrom
Events & Coverage 
