To the forest, the scrapyard, the jungle, the 1980s or the year 3000: there is hardly a place or an era to which the organizers of the Swatch Rocket Air in the Thun ice rink have not already transported their audience. The 11th edition is all about Swiss traditions. With yodellers, flag-wavers and alphorn players, the more than 10,000 expected spectators can expect a concentrated load of Swissness. Even the flyer with silhouette art and the program in Swiss German tie in with the motto.

Since the first edition of the mountain bike event in spring 2010, the motto and thus the design of the course have become an integral part of the event concept. "Now, after ten years, we think it's high time to return to our roots," says OC boss Jérôme Hunziker. "We - the freestylers and the fans of folk music - live so close to each other here in the region, move so often in the same places and yet we hardly have any points of contact. It would be great if we could help bring two population groups closer together with Rocket Air," Hunziker continues.

Only the field of riders at Rocket Air is not only made up of local riders. Under the motto "Swiss Edition", the world's best mountain bike slopestyle athletes are expected. The Swiss stop of the "Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour" is listed as a Gold Event, making it one of the top 10 events in the world. Swiss rider Lucas Huppert is also in the hunt for points. "The motto is of course an additional incentive, my goal is a podium finish on Swiss soil."

The 11th edition of Rocket Air will also feature a broad supporting program with a trade fair and activities for young and old. And, of course, the now legendary after-parties at El Camino on Friday and the Arx Club in Thun.Tickets will be available in advance from March at www.rocketair.ch. The event organizer Flying Metal also offers affordable family tickets.www.rocketair.ch