Date of birth: 19 june 1988
Place of birth: Sion(Switzerland)
Location: Nendaz (Switzerland)
Favorite spot: Nendaz(Switzerland)
Best memory: “I can’t tell, I have so many good memories!”
Why Eider? “Eider means high quality products, an incredible team and ultra friendly staff…Eider, Richard Amacker, we are the same!!”
Lucky to be born in the Valais region, at the heart of the 4 valleys of Nendaz, Richard gets on skis at the age of 2. During 16 years, he sacrifices everything for alpine skiing and excels on the FIS circuit for 5 years. Tired of this environment but boasting an impeccable technical know-how, he throws himself into freeride in 2008. At his second participation in the Nendaz Freeride competition, he brilliantly finishes in second place, what encourages him to fly to New-Zealand during the summer 2008 in order to improve his English, and most of all his ski level.
During the 2008/2009 winter, he follows the World Tour Qualifier’s circuit and finishes 3 times in top 15. He closes the season with two beautiful runs in Slovakia, which allow him to finish second and to earn some precious points for the winter 2010. Everyone remembers the 2010 season for the lack of snow in many locations, which had big influence on the regularity of the contests. Despite all this, he finishes third in Italy and sixth in Nendaz, two results that allow him to do the opening of l’Xtrem de Verbier and to reach the 7th place in the FWQ ranking. Despite a poor start in the 2011 freeride season, he achieves his first victory in the FWQ thanks to a wonderful run during the Mystic Freeride in Italy. A victory that gave him the confidence he needed to be victorious again less than one week later in Andorra.
The Nendaz freeride contest takes place at the beginning of March. It is a very important competition for Richard as he is in front of ‘his’ public. He also had to ensure himself a place for the 2012 World Tour. After a great start he makes a silly mistake that could have cost him a lot. But thanks to a very clean and smartly carried out run during the Chandolin competition, Richard gets on the podium for the third time – 2nd place. He fulfills his dream by qualifying himself for the 2012 Freeride World Tour where he will compete with world’s elite skiers.
On top of freeride skiing, Richard also got involved in the Swiss Snowsports expert team, with the secret ambition of one day becoming part of the Swiss Demo Team – the group that represents Swiss ski instructors during international events.
2011
Trip to Chile and Argentina with Jérémie Heitz, Sam Anthamatten and photographer Jérémy Bernard.
Mystic Freeride, IT FWQ, 1st place
Eldorado Freeride, Andorra FWQ, 1st place
Chandolin Freeride, CH FWQ, 2nd place
World Ranking Qualifier, 3d place
Switzerland Ranking Qualifier, 1st place
2010
Jasna Adrenalin Freeride, SK FWQ, 2nd place
Mystic Freeride, IT FWQ, 3d place
Nendaz Freeride, CH FWQ, 6th place
Opening of the Nissan Xtreme Verbier CH FWT
World Ranking Qualifier, 7th place
Switzerland Ranking Qualifier, 2nd place
Freeskiing World Tour Chile, 11th place
2009 :
Chamonix Freeride, FR FWQ, 13th place
Mystic Freeride, IT FWQ, 13th place
Nendaz Freeride, CH FWQ, 10th place
World Ranking, 37th place
Switzerland World Ranking, 6th place
2008 :
Championnat Suisse Ski Alpin Catégorie Cadet, 2nd place
Ski Cross Crossmax Salomon Tour Switzerland, 7th place
Zinal Freeride CH, 7th place
Nendaz Freeride CH, 2nd place
Trip to New-Zealand
NZ Freeski Open NZ, 8th place
