Top-class field led by Austrian

A strong Austrian contingent, spearheaded by Marc Swoboda, has set its sights on winning the 8th Red Bull Nanshan Open, an international TTR 4-Star Snowboard Event, which will be held this weekend at the Nanshan Skiing Resort, Beijing.

The 22-year-old Swoboda, the runner-up at the 6th edition two years ago, landed in Beijing on Wednesday with compatriots Werner Stock and Thomas Klocker. The trio are among 24 international skiers qualified for this weekend's event.

Swoboda claims Swiss Gian Luca Gavigelli, who won the title at the FIS Snowboard World Cup in Seoul last month, and Stock are his biggest title threats.