NL CONTEST 2024. The 18th edition.

May 20, 2024

Written by Bart de Jong

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The 18th edition of the NL Contest by Caisse d'Epargne - Urban Sport & Art Festival, which was held from May 17 to 19 at the Skatepark de la Rotonde in Strasbourg, has just ended. An opus under the sign of adaptability, disrupted by the changing climatic conditions over the weekend. Nevertheless, the organization of the international festival worked hard to maintain its entire program: the competitions, amateur and professional, but also the concert by the emblematic French group Sniper, which was more than memorable. More than 400 athletes and artists, 250 volunteers as well as 35,000 festival-goers responded to the call for this edition.

Despite the weather, the 18th edition of the NL Contest was marked by determination, unwavering

optimism and, as usual, a unique atmosphere. On the improved Park and the halfpipe ramp, riders from all over the world showed creativity and amplitude with big gravity-defying tricks. To the rhythm of the music distilled in every corner of the site, the breakers set the gymnasium on fire, the basketball players outdid themselves on the 3vs3 courts set up for the occasion, the region's traceurs challenged each other during technique and skill tests. speed. Finally, the exhibitor village offered numerous activities throughout the weekend.

The first day of the festival was turned upside down by the pouring rain throughout the day. The NL Contest organization has worked to open the doors as soon as possible, remodeling the program to maintain all amateur and professional competitions with one goal: providing the best possible experience for athletes and festival-goers.

In the absence of the competitions which were postponed, the day of Friday May 17 ended in style with the highly anticipated Sniper concert. The people of Strasbourg came in large numbers, braving the rain to meet and unite alongside the athletes, artists and staff to the tempo of the group's emblematic titles “Gravé dans la roche” or even “Brule”. A timeless moment, an exceptional atmosphere, which will go down in history!

Fortunately, the sun was back on Saturday morning. Thanks to early opening of the doors, most of the competitions were able to take place: the amateur Freestyle Scooter which opened the day, as well as the Pro qualifications in BMX and Roller skating on the Park and in Roller skating and Skateboarding on the Halfpipe ramp. Without forgetting the technical Parkour test and the Breaking in the gymnasium which brought together a very large audience and in a supercharged atmosphere.

Finally, on Sunday, the amateurs in Roller and BMX, as well as the women in Roller, were finally able to compete on the Park, before giving way to the Roller and Skate Halpipe and Freestyle Scooter, Roller and BMX Park Pro finals, to finish in apotheosis this 18th edition. Unfortunately, the Dirt competition had to be canceled as the dirt bumps did not withstand the bad weather.

Athletes, artists, partners and festival-goers praised the adaptability, responsiveness and coordination of the organization of the event, which ensured throughout to offer the best possible experience and to guarantee this special and family atmosphere, unique to the NL Contest.

BMX PARK AMATEUR
1 – Lilian DAHLEM
2 – Antony SANTILLI
3 – Gerrit VAN OPDENBOSCH

BMX PARK PRO
1 – Maxime CHALIFOUR
2 – Istvan CAILLET
3 – Shaun GORNALL

Pics by Bartosch Salmanski