Category: World Rookie Tour

World Rookie Fest will be proudly supported by the Air & Style this year again. The World Rookie Champion 2010, who will nominated during the Protest World Rookie Fest at Ischl, Austria, April 7-11 2010 will win a wild card to the Air & Style Rookie Challenge 2010.

There are only few days to go for the Billabong Air & Style 09/II on 05.12.09 (www.air-style.com) and the big news is that the Air & Style Rookie Challenge is back again and some of the World Rookie Champions of the past years will take part: Christian Haller (World Rookie Champion 2006), Sergey Lapushkin (World Rookie Champion 2007) and Gjermund Braaten (World Rookie Champion 2008). Many other rising stars as Seppe Smits, Niki Korpela, Kevin Backstrom, who already attended the World Rookie Fest in the past, will be at the start as well.

Summer Rookie Camp 2010

Summer Rookie Camp come back again from June 26 to July 3, 2010 in Val Senales where all european rookies will spend a week of training, photoshooting and parties. There will be also a Swatch TTR 2Star slopestyle contest at Gentlemen’s Snowpark. Some free camp will be awarded during this season rookie fest stops. For more information visit the official website: www.rookiecamp.eu, (english version will be ready soon)

Riders who take part to the rookie fests can win a great range of prizes

• for the World Rookie Champion: a filming session with Pirate Movie Production, an international photo shooting, a freeride trip to Chile and a ticket to Billabong Air&Style Rookie Challenge 2010.
• the winners from Livigno, Ischgl and the number 1 of the World Rookie Rank will win an all-inclusive trip to the “Freeride Rookie Fest 2010” in Chile to live a one in a lifetime freeride filming experience with international RedBull pros.
• At every stop, winner will get “Tickets to Ride” higher level events
• Before every event many other amazing prizes will be announced, which will support the career of the best rookies who wish to become professional riders.

International Rookie Fest Stops 2009.10
Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest, Vallnord, Andorra – 2Star – 18.20 december 2009
Protest World Rookie Fest – Livigno, Italy – 3Star – 16.20 january 2010
Protest Balkan Rookie Fest – Iver Mokra Gora, Serbia – 2Star – 12.14 february 2010
Protest East Rookie Fest – Splinderuv Mlyn, Czech Republic – 2Star – 5.7 march 2010
Protest World Rookie Finals – Ischgl, Austria – 4Star – 7.11 april 2010
Summer Rookie Camp – Val Senales, Italy – 26june.3july 2010 – www.rookiecamp.eu
Freeride Rookie Fest – Valle Nevado, Chile – 2Star – august 2010

In addition to these, the Oceania Rookie Fest in Australia is next to be confirmed for summer 2010. In addition, many local rookie stops 1Star will be organized by WSF National Snowboard Association all over (check www.worldsnowboardfederation.org for complete calendar)
World Rookie Tour Rules
The title of World Rookie Champion will be awarded to the winner of the Protest World Rookie Finals reserved to the top riders from previous Rookie Fests, plus selected riders from National Snowboard Associations and the top 20 riders from the World Rookie Rank. Check it on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Age Groups
All rookie stops are reserved to Rookies (born from 1st january 1992 to 31st december 1994) and Grom (born from 1st january 1995 and up), both guys and girls. All contests of the World Rookie Tour will generate valuable results for the Swatch TTR Ranks and for the new World Rookie Rank developed by WSF in association with the Swatch TTR.

Full list of rookie events, further press releases for each stop, details about the World Rookie Rank will be soon available on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

For info and media request
Marco Sampaoli – WSF Board of Directors
marco@worldsnowboardfederation.org
mobile: +39.340.32.85.569

ABOUT WORLD ROOKIE TOUR & WORLD ROOKIE RANK
Only the best rookies in the world will be granted access to the World Rookie Tour big final: the Swatch TTR 4Star “Protest World Rookie Finals” in Ischgl, Austria, from 7 to 11 April 2010. Only the winners of the previous qualifiers will be able to go to Ischgl, together with the best 20 athletes of the World Rookie Rank on April 1st , and the wild cards that single nations give to their most promising rookies. The World Rookie Rank is a classification for under 18’s only and it is developed by the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) in collaboration with TTR. At the end of the World Rookie Tour, thewinner of the finals will be awarded with the title of World Rookie Champion. He will be offered a unique opportunity to enter the world of professional snowboarding: an invitation to a Video Shooting with the Pirate Movie Production, an International Photo Shooting, a Freeride Filming Trip to Chile and an invitation to the Billabong Air&Style Rookie Challenge 2010. Info on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

ABOUT THE WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
WSF is the only international organisation working uniquely to develop and support snowboard at all levels, including competitions and education, disable and adaptive snowboarding, activities for riders of any age. WSF is a network of national snowboard associations cooperating worldwide for the development and promotion of the sport. Members find in WSF a source of inspiration and support to their activities. WSF can create added value for everybody involved in snowboard on national level and offers ideas, handbooks and initiatives, the result of an organization whose components share the same goal: progression of snowboarding at all levels.
Official website: www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

ABOUT THE SWATCH TTR WORLD SNOWBOARD TOUR
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization with the mission to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility, innovation as guiding principles. Since its foundation, the Swatch TTR Tour has been developing into the most popular snowboard tour worldwide featuring global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. The top male and female rider based on an average of their best seven results of the season is crowned Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion.
Official web site: www.ttrworldtour.com

The Billabong Air & Style 2009 II is only days away with some of the world’s most talented snowboarders set to attend the legendary Swatch TTR 6Star event on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Taking place in Innsbruck, Austria, the 17th annual Air & Style event will feature some hot competition on a big air setup. Being the first 6Star event of the 2009/2010 TTR World Tour season the riders will be on a warpath looking to secure a top result heading into the busy Olympic year.

The Billabong Air & Style 2009 II is only days away with some of the world’s most talented snowboarders set to attend the legendary Swatch TTR 6Star event on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Taking place in Innsbruck, Austria, the 17th annual Air & Style event will feature some hot competition on a big air setup. Being the first 6Star event of the
2009/2010 TTR World Tour season the riders will be on a warpath looking to secure a top result heading into the busy Olympic year.

The Double Cork Factor
The double cork phenomenon arguably all started back at the Air & Style Munich in 2006 when Travis Rice (USA) and David Benedek (USA) unleashed the double inverted spins in front of the crowds in Germany. The infamous double cork has been all the rage in the snowboard community lately, especially after the groundbreaking tricks were unveiled in the halfpipe by a small group of riders back in August at the 5Star Burton New Zealand Open. These mind-bending tricks are becoming commonplace on the competitive freestyle snowboarding
circuit and could be a game changer this year on the big air jump at the Air & Style Innsbruck.

Riders To Watch For
Canadian star on the rise, Sebastien Toutant, is currently sitting in Swatch TTR World No. 1, has a double cork in the bag and at the ripe age of 17 will be looking to beat out the rest of the field to maintain his tour lead. Snowboard superstar, Travis Rice, is back on the radar for the 2009 event and with at least four different double cork variations in his repertoire, will definitely be a standout. Other riders who have the double cork skills include Tim Humphreys (USA), Iouri Podlatchikov (SUI), Eero Ettala (FIN) and the German rookie who just won the
4Star Horsefeathers Pleasure Jam with a double cork, Elias Elhardt.

Swatch TTR Ranking Outlook
2008/2009 Swatch TTR World Champion and current TTR World No. 15, Peetu Piiroinen (FIN), will make his second appearance on tour for the season after a seventh place finish at the Burton New Zealand Open in the halfpipe. If Piiroinen can secure a good finish at Air & Style Innsbruck, he could move up the ranking list to World No. 2. However, Piiroinen will need to battle for that spot with othereager riders, who like him have results posted from the Southern Hemisphere season including Chas Guldemond (USA), Tim Humphreys(USA) and Antti Autti (FIN). Torstein Horgmo (NOR) also has a chance to move up in the rankings and will be battling for a spot in the Top 5. Sebastien Toutant can only be bumped out of the tour leader position if he does not start at Air & Style.

Stay Informed: www.ttrworldtour.com
The Air & Style Innsbruck will be webcast live via air-style.com, freecaster.tv and on ttrworldtour.com. And, check back to ttrworldtour.com leading up to and after the event for behind the scenes coverage including video interviews, highlights and recaps straight from Innsbruck, Austria.

SWATCH TTR WORLD TOUR RANKINGS AS OF 31.11.09
MEN
Rank Name Nation Results Points
1 Toutant, Sebastien CAN 5 451.69
2 Reid, Charles CAN 4 388.87
3 Willett, Eric USA 5 375.83
4 Grilc, Marko SLO 5 371.82
5 Kotsenburg, Sage USA 5 359.85
6 Aguirre, Mason USA 3 341.75
7 Lago, Scotty USA 4 334.33
8 Longo, Arthur FRA 3 311.08
9 Horgmo, Torstein NOR 3 301.1
10 Haller, Christian SUI 3 292.11

Register today on www.snowboardingresults.com to find the first ever result database that does not refer to one sports organisation only.

ABOUT SWATCH TTR:
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Swatch Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization with the mission “to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility, innovation as guiding principles”. Since its foundation, the Swatch TTR Tour has been developing into the most exposed snowboard tour worldwide featuring global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. Events are rated via a 1-through- 6Star system, with points allocated accordingly, a 6Star event holds the highest (1000 points). Any rider participating in these events, from up-and-coming to professional talent, earns ranking points and a position on the Swatch TTR World Ranking List. The top male and female rider based on an average of their best six results of the season (5+1 system) is crowned Swatch TTR World Snowboard Champion. For moreinformation visit www.ttrworldtour.com.

Vallnord, Andorra – 18.20 december 2009 – The kick off event of the World Rookie Tour 09.10 will celebrate the World Snowboard Day in Andorra with the Swatch TTR 2Star “Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest” from 18 to 20 december 2009. Snowboarding future stars will challenge in order to conquer an invitation to the legendary Protest World Rookie Fest in Livigno, Italy and 3 tickets to the Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl, Austria.

The kick off event of the World Rookie Tour 09.10 will celebrate the World Snowboard Day in Andorra with the Swatch TTR 2Star “Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest” from 18 to 20 december 2009. Snowboarding future stars will challenge in order to conquer an invitation to the legendary Protest World Rookie Fest in Livigno, Italy and 3 tickets to the Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl, Italy.

“We are happy to have a new location for the kick off event of the northern hemisphere tour” state Marco Sampaoli, tour director “Vallnord in Andorra showed great interest in the event and local organizer Aleks Sanz from WSS is for sure the best supporter we can ask. It will be a great event for the kids from west Europe.”

Vallnord in Andorra hosts an high quality freestyle area and a special slopestyle will be presented for the Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest. Don’t miss the opportunity to join the first west european edition of the most famous youth event!

The event will assign the following prizes:
1 ticket to enter for free the Protest World Rookie Fest in Livigno, Italy, from 16 to 20 january 2010
3 tickets to enter for free the Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl, Austria, from 4 to 11 april 2010
Snowboard goodies from the sponsors

If your dream is to become a professional snowboarder, then your future starts from the Rookie Fests!

Event Program
December18th : Arrival day and registration at Race Office
December19th : Training day and qualification
December 20th : Finals and departure

General Informations
Age Groups: Rookie (born from 1992 to 1994) and Grom (born from 1st january 1995 and up)
Event format: Slopestyle (2Star)
Entry fee: 20€
Accomodation and transportation: see below
Vallnord Ski Resort homepage: www.vallnord.com

Contacts for inscription, hotel bookings and media accreditation
Info, inscriptions, transportation info and hotel booking:
Aleks Sanz aleks@wssactionsports.com 0034.636.471.404

Media accreditation and media request including pictures, roughcut, tv highlights, web video:
Marco Sampaoli marco@worldsnowboardfederation.org 0039.340.3285569

International Rookie Fest Stops 2009.10
Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest, Vallnord, Andorra – 2Star – 18.20 december 2009
Protest World Rookie Fest – Livigno, Italy – 3Star – 16.20 january 2010
Protest Balkan Rookie Fest – Iver Mokra Gora, Serbia – 2Star – 12.14 february 2010
Protest East Rookie Fest – Splinderuv Mlyn, Czech Republic – 2Star – 5.7 march 2010
Protest World Rookie Finals – Ischgl, Austria – 4Star – 7.11 april 2010
Summer Rookie Camp – Val Senales, Italy – 26june.3july 2010 – www.rookiecamp.eu
Freeride Rookie Fest – Valle Nevado, Chile – 2Star – august 2010
In addition to these, the Oceania Rookie Fest in Australia is next to be confirmed for summer 2010. In addition, many local rookie stops 1Star will be organized by WSF National Snowboard Association all over (check www.worldsnowboardfederation.org for complete calendar)

World Rookie Tour Rules
The title of World Rookie Champion will be awarded to the winner of the Protest World Rookie Finals reserved to the top riders from previous Rookie Fests, plus selected riders from National Snowboard Associations and the top 20 riders from the World Rookie Rank. Check it on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Age Groups
All rookie stops are reserved to Rookies (born from 1st january 1992 to 31st december 1994) and Grom (born from 1st january 1995 and up), both guys and girls. All contests of the World Rookie Tour will generate valuable results for the Swatch TTR Ranks and for the new World Rookie Rank developed by WSF in association with the Swatch TTR.

For info and media request
Marco Sampaoli – WSF Board of Directors
marco@worldsnowboardfederation.org
mobile: +39.340.32.85.569

ABOUT WORLD ROOKIE TOUR & WORLD ROOKIE RANK
Only the best rookies in the world will be granted access to the World Rookie Tour big final: the Swatch TTR 4Star “Protest World Rookie Finals” in Ischgl, Austria, from 7 to 11 April 2009. Only the winners of the previous qualifiers will be able to go to Ischgl, together with the best 20 athletes of the World Rookie Rank on April 1st , and the wild cards that single nations give to their most promising rookies. The World Rookie Rank is a classification for under 18’s only and it is developed by the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) in collaboration with TTR. At the end of the World Rookie Tour, the final winner will be awarded with the title of World Rookie Champion. He will be offered a unique opportunity to enter the world of professional snowboarding: an invitation to a Video Shooting with the Pirate Movie Production, an International Photo Shooting, a Freeride Filming Trip to Chile and an invitation to an event which is still kept secret are awaiting the winner. Info on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

ABOUT THE WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
WSF is the only international organisation working uniquely to develop and support snowboard at all levels, including competitions and education, disable and adaptive snowboarding, activities for riders of any age. WSF is a network of national snowboard associations cooperating worldwide for the development and promotion of the sport. Members find in WSF a source of inspiration and support to their activities. WSF can create added value for everybody involved in snowboard on national level and offers ideas, handbooks and initiatives, the result of an organization whose components share the same goal: progression of snowboarding at all levels. Official website: www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

ABOUT THE SWATCH TTR WORLD SNOWBOARD TOUR
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization with the mission to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility, innovation as guiding principles. Since its foundation, the Swatch TTR Tour has been developing into the most popular snowboard tour worldwide featuring global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. The top male and female rider based on an average of their best seven results of the season is crowned Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion. Official web site: www.ttrworldtour.com

The BRITS, Europe’s longest established winter festival and number one event on the British Snowboarding calendar is back! Returning to the award-winning Swiss resort of Laax from the 21st – 28th March 2010.

The BRITS is a unique, week-long winter festival that everyone should experience including 4 British Snowboard Championship events: the Animal Slopestyle, SNO!zone Halfpipe, Trespass Snowboard and a musical juggernaut set to shake the pretty little Swiss resort to its very foundation.

This year we’re offering packages at rates that would make a backpacker double-take. Starting from as little as £230 per person, packages include – seven nights accommodation, seven days lift pass and an event pack containing an exclusive BRITS Ignite beanie and BRITS festival wristband, providing FREE entry to all of the club night shenanigans plus a bevy of discounts and event privileges. With its choice of hotels or apartments including the stylish Riders Palace and the brand new design hotel, Rocks Resort, the BRITS 2010 is offering champagne taste for beer money, and we’re bracing ourselves for an almighty lock-in.

As well as saving you a tidy packet, The BRITS also unites the UK’s top athletes such as X-Games Gold medallist, Jenny Jones and Olympic hopefuls Ben Kilner and Zoe Gillings with budding amateurs, kids and rookies. Giving all-comers the chance to compete for British titles and World-ranking points. All standards are welcome and competitors can pre-register online for any one or more disciplines.

For 2010 we’re adding even more to the Après Sessions, so hold tight for some Home Run adrenaline-fuelled antics, Air Bag bravado, Highest Ollie posturing, free Demo Testing, plus some banging Live Acoustic Sets. The evening music menu will be covering all bases, with melodic flavours coming courtesy of internationally acclaimed solo artists, live bands and DJs that cross a spectrum of musical genres and styles.

Previous artists to have graced The BRITS include exuberant Brit-hoppers The GO Team, US hip-hop legends Ugly Duckling, and cut ‘n’ paste maestro DJ Yoda to name a few. The music line-up set to tear the roof off The BRITS 2010 will be announced shortly. So bookmark this page, register to receive our newsletter and get following us on Twitter and let’s make sure we see you there: www.brits10.com

The BRITS, which is part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Trespass, SNO!zone, Cushe, Snow+Rock. Demo partners: DC, Ride, K2, Line and Volkl Ski’s. Media partners: Whitelines, Dark Summer, Skiclub.co.uk, Natives.co.uk, Metrosnow.co.uk, Extreme Sports Channel, Spiked and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and Laax

· TTR points – The British Snow Tour continues to award competitors with prestigious TTR points and TTR World Snowboard Tour Ranking and is part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour. Artificial Events = 1-STAR, Indoor Events = 2-STAR’S, The BRITS = 3-STAR’S for more information and to find out where UK riders are currently ranked check out: www.ttrworldtour.com
· The British Snowboard and Freeski Tour incorporate one Artificial (dryslope) Championships, three Indoor (real snow) Championships, and the British Championships in the European Alps, AKA “The BRITS” check out: www.britishsnowtour.com and www.brits10.com

The new crop of WSF young talents is ready to join the furious Black Yeti in the World Rookie Tour 2009.10 “The Future is Here” edition. Showcasing snowboarding future stars, the Tour will give to young people a fair opportunity to become world rookie champion, enter the professional level and win amazing prizes during the only global series of junior events from 1Star to 4Star Swatch TTR level.

The World Rookie Tour already started in the Southern Hemisphere with a bunch of 1star events in Australia and Chile, and is now ready to kick off in the Northern Hemisphere for a full season calendar. The Tour will culminate in April 2010 with the Swatch TTR 4star “Protest World Rookie Finals 2010” in Ischgl, Austria. Then we will move south for a new event: the “Freeride Rookie Fest”, a photo&film trip in Chile reserved to the best rookies of the season.

The format of “Rookie Fest” was consolidated throughout the years and it includes slope style competitions, sport, fun, didactical activities and get-together moments for riders of different nationalities. Rookie Fests are a perfect example of the “from-rookie-to-pro structure” created by the great cooperation between WSF and TTR. But the Rookie Fest are not just competitions: they feature loads of other activities to help rookies grow in the field of professional snowboarding, such as photo&video shootings, avalanche and rescue clinics, meeting with photographers and international team managers, parties and big big prizes.

Riders who take part to the rookie fests can win a great range of prizes:

– for the World Rookie Champion: a filming session with Pirate Movie Production, a Ticket to the Billabong Air&Style Rookie Challange 2010, an international photo shooting, a freeride trip to Chile and a ticket to a world class event
– the winners from Livigno, Ischgl and the number 1 of the World Rookie Rank will win an all-inclusive trip to the “Freeride Rookie Fest 2010” in Chile to live a one in a lifetime freeride filming experience with international RedBull pros.
– At every stop, winner will get “Tickets to Ride” higher level events
– Before every event many other amazing prizes will be announced, which will support the career of the best rookies who wish to become professional riders.
Updated International Rookie Fest Stops 2009.10
Protest World Rookie Fest – Livigno, Italy – 3Star – 16.20 january 2010
Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest, Vallnord, Andorra – 2Star – 29.31 january 2010
Protest Balkan Rookie Fest – Iver Mokra Gora, Serbia – 2Star – 12.14 february 2010
Protest East Rookie Fest – Splinderuv Mlyn, Czech Republic – 2Star – 5.7 march 2010
Protest World Rookie Finals – Ischgl, Austria – 4Star – 7.11 april 2010
Summer Rookie Camp – Val Senales, Italy – 26june.3july 2010 – www.rookiecamp.eu
Freeride Rookie Fest – Valle Nevado, Chile – 2Star – august 2010
In addition to these, the Oceania Rookie Fest in Australia is next to be confirmed for summer 2010. In addition, many local rookie stops 1Star will be organized by WSF National Snowboard Association all over (check www.worldsnowboardfederation.org for complete calendar)

World Rookie Tour Rules
The title of World Rookie Champion will be awarded to the winner of the Protest World Rookie Finals reserved to the top riders from previous Rookie Fests, plus selected riders from National Snowboard Associations and the top 20 riders from the World Rookie Rank. Check it on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Age Groups
All rookie stops are reserved to Rookies (born from 1st january 1992 to 31st december 1994) and Grom (born from 1st january 1995 and up), both guys and girls. All contests of the World Rookie Tour will generate valuable results for the Swatch TTR Ranks and for the new World Rookie Rank developed by WSF in association with the Swatch TTR. Full list of rookie events, further press releases for each stop, details about the World Rookie Rank will be soon available on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

For info and media request
Marco Sampaoli – WSF Board of Directors
marco@worldsnowboardfederation.org
mobile: +39.340.32.85.569

Check out the video from last season Protest World Rookie Finals 2009

ABOUT WORLD ROOKIE TOUR & WORLD ROOKIE RANK
Only the best rookies in the world will be granted access to the World Rookie Tour big final: the Swatch TTR 4Star “Protest World Rookie Finals” in Ischgl, Austria, from 7 to 11 April 2009. Only the winners of the previous qualifiers will be able to go to Ischgl, together with the best 20 athletes of the World Rookie Rank on April 1st , and the wild cards that single nations give to their most promising rookies. The World Rookie Rank is a classification for under 18’s only and it is developed by the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) in collaboration with TTR. At the end of the World Rookie Tour, the final winner will be awarded with the title of World Rookie Champion. He will be offered a unique opportunity to enter the world of professional snowboarding: an invitation to a Video Shooting with the Pirate Movie Production, an International Photo Shooting, a Freeride Filming Trip to Chile and an invitation to an event which is still kept secret are awaiting the winner. Info on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

ABOUT THE WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
WSF is the only international organisation working uniquely to develop and support snowboard at all levels, including competitions and education, disable and adaptive snowboarding, activities for riders of any age. WSF is a network of national snowboard associations cooperating worldwide for the development and promotion of the sport. Members find in WSF a source of inspiration and support to their activities. WSF can create added value for everybody involved in snowboard on national level and offers ideas, handbooks and initiatives, the result of an organization whose components share the same goal: progression of snowboarding at all levels. Official website: www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

ABOUT THE SWATCH TTR WORLD SNOWBOARD TOUR
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization with the mission to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility, innovation as guiding principles. Since its foundation, the Swatch TTR Tour has been developing into the most popular snowboard tour worldwide featuring global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. The top male and female rider based on an average of their best seven results of the season is crowned Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion. Official web site: www.ttrworldtour.com

This weekend the Norwegian snowboard community gathers to celebrate the best of the best when it comes to riders, rookies, films, pictures, outstanding performances and more. This annual award ceremony and party is to be held for the 4th time and also this year the whole community from Torstein Horgmo and Kjersti Buaas to local riders, voluntary workers and photographers join in for the big party.

The Awards will be held at Cosmopolite in Oslo on the 17th of October, starting at 7pm. 12 prizes will be handed out and with Yoga Fire on stage and DJ Soulshock in house both the celebration will go on throughout the night.
– It’s great fun working with the best riders in Norway, and helping them reach the last steps in becoming part of the world elite. He goes on to say how
– SnowboardAwards is cool, because you see the riders, industry people and general people gather to give each other a pad on the back. It is the whole of Norwegian snowboarding that has put us on among the top snowboarding nations in the world, and that needs celebrating, Roger Hjelmstadstuen, head coach for the national team says.

The awards that will be handed out this year and the nominees for the awards are:

Best Male Rider:
Mikkel Bang
Torstein Horgmo
Andreas Yngre Wiig
Ståle Sandbech

Best Female Rider:
Linn Haug
Helene Olafsen
Kjersti Buaas
Lisa Wiik

Best Male Rookie:
Aleksander Östereng
Petter Bakken Kristiansen
Brage Bråten Richenberg
Trym Nordgaard

Best Female Rookie:
Silje Norendal
Cecillie Marie Vedvik
Nora Thompson
Maria Jones

Other categories that will be awarded:

Best Snowboard Movie
Standout of the Year
Best riding part in Snowboard Movie
Best photo shoot/Photographer
Best local Snowboard club
The Spirit Awards
The Snowboard Federations Honours Award

More info:
www.snowboardawards.no
www.tacky.no/
www.playboard.no

France youth snowboard series “Teisseire Kid’s Week Freestyle Tour 2010” announced to join the World Rookie Tour 2009.10 with 8 kids slope style at Swatch TTR 1Star level. The best rider of the tour will be qualified for the end of season Swatch TTR 4Star Protest World Rookie Finals 2010 in Ischgl, Austria.

A ticket to ridefor the 4 Star PROTEST WORLD ROOKIE FINALS
With the aim to give an international dimension to the event TEISSEIRE KID’S WEEK and to re-revitalize the snowboard in France with the youngest, we got closer to the WSF ” WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION ” in order to organize 8 events at 1Star level for the winter tour and be part of the World Rookie TOur 2009.10.

The best french snowboarder at the end of the tour will be qualified to participate and to defend the French chances in Austria for the 4 Star Protest World Rookie Finals in April 2010, an gets his opportunity to win the title of “WORLD ROOKIE CHAMPION 2010”.

All info about the rookie tour are avaible here

TEISSEIRE KID’S WEEK freestyle events for kids under 16 years
Schedule
February 2010 from February 15 to February 28
15/02 Piau Engaly (confirmed)
17/02 Alpes (in progress)
19/02 Orcières 1850 (to be confirmed)
21/02 Foux d’Allos (to be confirmed)
23/02 Meribel (to be confirmed)
24/02 Val Thorens (to be confirmed)
26/02 Morzine (to be confirmed)
28/02 Grand Bornand (to be confirmed)

All info about the French Youth Snowboard program www.kids-week.com

Chilean Rookie Series “Circuito Bichos de Villanos 2009” succefully completed last sunday in Valle Nevado. It was the first World Rookie Tour event in South America with a value of Swatch TTR 1Star.

Sunday 13 september Valle Nevado hosted the “Circuito Bichos de Villanos” finals, the most important youth freestyle series in South America. With a boardercross and a slope style contest, it gather the top youngsters from Chile for the first Swatch TTR official event ever.

The riders were splitted in age group inspired by bugs names: “Pulgas” (under 11 years – “Fleas”), “Grillos” (beetwin 12 and 14 years – “Cricket”) and “Saltamontes” (beetwin 15 and 17 years – “Grasshoper”), boys and girls. The riding level was preatty high and include Backflips, 540° Cork, 720° Mute including Diego Cerón’s best trick of the day: 720 cork tail grab.

Circuito Bichos de Villanos is organized since 2008 by ANDeN (www.anden.cl), the chilean organization recognized by World Snowboard Federation and Swatch TTR World Tour. For addition information about youth snowboard project in Chile visits www.circuitobichos.cl or contact
Chopo Diaz at cdiaz@anden.cl

All pics by Claudio Vicuña

Results
Boardercross – Saturday 12 septmber , Valle Nevado

– Pulgas Snowboard Mujeres
1° Antonia Yañez
2° Magdalena González

– Pulgas Snowboard Hombres
1° Santiago González
2° Lucas González
3° Tomás Pizarro

– Grillos Snowboard Mujeres
1° Marcia Calvez

– Grillos Snowboard Hombres
1° Tomás González
2° Matías Muñoz
3° Rodrigo Meyer

– Saltamontes Snowboard Hombres
1° Diego Cerón
2° Esteban Gamonal
3° Branco Kejevic

Slope Style, Sunday 13 september, Valle Nevado

– Pulgas Snowboard Mujeres
1° Catalina Ceron
2° Magdalena González
3° Antonia Yañez

– Pulgas Snowboard Hombres
1° Alvaro Yañez
2° Tomás Pizarro
3° Benjamín Yañez

– Grillos Snowboard Mujeres
1° Marcia Calvéz

– Grillos Snowboard Hombres
1° Tomás González
2° Matías Muñoz
3° Rodrigo Meyer

– Saltamontes Snowboard Hombres
1° Diego Cerón
2° Esteban Gamonal
3° Santiago Leguizamón

Ben Randall is the Overall Series Champion in the Senior Mens division from the Ocean and Earth Teenage Rampage Australian Junior Series, the WSF rookie tour for Oceania. It consists of 4 events at a Swatch 1Star TTR level.

Ben Randall placed second in the halfpipe, second in the boardercross and 4th in the slopestyle. Watch for his upcoming STEPPING UP check out in the 2010 run of Australian & NZ Snowboarder Magazine. Ben is currently riding for Ocean and Earth, Smith Optics, Rhythm Boardstore and Endeavour Snowboards

Ben in the pipe

Ben styling a front three

Ben mid spin in the slopestyle

Other overall winners were:
Senior Female – Jasmin Gallop with a first in halfpipe and a 3rd in boardcross and slopestyle
Youth Male – Billy Hayman with a first place in both halfpipe and slopestyle
Youth Female – Lauren Staveley with a first in halfpipe and boardercross and a 3rd in slopestyle
Kids Male – Cam Staveley with a first in the halfpipe and slopestyle
Kids Female – Chloe Kim with a first in halfpipe and slopestyle

Article and pictures by www.snowboardermag.com.au

Circuito Bichos from Chile join the World Rookie Tour and announce its final as a Swatch TTR 1Star Slopestyle which will assign a ticket for the World Rookie Fest 2010 in Livigno.

World Rookie Tour lands in South America
Valle Nevado, Chile
29 august 2009

The Australian Junior Series has just successfully completed with Ben Randall taking home the title and his ticket to the World Rookie Fest in Livigno, while “Circuito Bichos”, the most recognized rookie tour in Chile, announced to join the World Rookie Tour in September 2009.

Ben Randal won the Australian Junior Series

The “Circuito Bichos” will finish with a 1Star TTR slopestyle final in Valle Nevado, Chile, on September 13th 2009, which will be the first competition in the history of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour to offer TTR ranking points in South America. The best rider from Chilean “bugs” series will get a ticket to the TTR 3Star Slopestyle “Protest World Rookie Fest 2010” held in the legendary Livigno Mottolino Snowpark, Italy.

“It’s good to see high quality rookie events in South America. Moreover, local organizers have applied to host a Swatch TTR 3Star “World Rookie Fest 2010 – Freeride Edition”. It is exciting because we have very positive feedback about the quality of resorts and infrastructure.”, says Marco Sampaoli of the World Snowboard Federation.

Fabian Giavio, Director of the Circuito Bichos and member of Anden, the chilean snow sport organization, is satisfied with the development, “We will hold a nice Rookie Fest in South America and we are already working hard on it. Anden is happy to be involved in the World Rookie Tour and to be part of the World Snowboard Federation.”

An image from last stop of Circuito Bichos in Chile

The Circuito Bichos consists of 4 events and gathers the most talented under 18 years old riders from Chile. Organized by Anden in the main Chilean mountain resorts, this national rookie series has its own tour ranking system with more than 90 participants and registered its 2009 final as a Swatch TTR 1Star Slopestyle. Find all information about youth snowboard events and projects in Chile at www.circuitobichos.cl.

World Rookie Tour 2009.10 – International provisional calendar
Protest Iberic Rookie Fest – 2Star slopestyle, Spain, December 2009
Protest World Rookie Fest – 3Star slopestyle, Livigno, Italy, January 2010
Protest Balkan Rookie Fest – 2Star slopestyle, Serbia, February 2010
Protest France Rookie Fest – 2Star slopestyle, France, February 2010 – to be confirmed
Protest East Rookie Fest – 2Start slopestyle and halfpipe, Czech Republic, March 2010
Protest World Rookie Finals 2010 – 4Star slopestyle, Ischgl, Austria, April 2010
Summer Rookie Fest – 2Star slopestyle, Val Senales, Italy, July 2010 – to be confirmed
Australasia Rookie Fest – 2Star slopestyle, Australia – location and date tba
World Rookie Fest “Freeride Edition” – 3Star Slopestyle and Powder Big Air, Chile, August 2010
+ 1star qualifying events and national series in many countries.
More info at www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Rookie Titles 2009.10
– 2Star “Summer Rookie Fest 09”, Val Senales, Italy: Roope Tonteri (rookie), Marco Grigis (grom).
– Australian Junior Series 2009 : Ben Randall

Contacts
Marco Sampaoli
WSF Board of Directors
marco@worldsnowboardfederation.org
mobile: +39.340.32.85.569

ABOUT THE WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
WSF is the only international organisation exclusively working to develop and taking care for the sport of snowboard at all levels including, competitions and education, disable and adaptive snowboarding, snowboard activities for riders of any age. WSF represent a network of national snowboard associations which cooperate world wide for the sport development. Members find in WSF a source of inspiration and support at their activities. WSF can create added value for everybody involved in snowboard on national level and can offer ideas, manuals and initiatives as a result of being together in one organization with the same goal: progression of snowboarding at all levels. From more information www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

ABOUT SWATCH TTR:
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Swatch Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization with the mission “to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility, innovation as guiding principles”. Since its foundation, the Swatch TTR Tour has been developing into the most exposed snowboard tour worldwide featuring global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. Events are rated via a 1-through-6Star system, with points allocated accordingly, a 6Star event holds the highest (1000 points). Any rider participating in these events, from up-and-coming to professional talent, earns ranking points and a position on the Swatch TTR World Ranking List. The top male and female rider based on an average of their best six results of the season (5+1 system) is crowned Swatch TTR World Snowboard Champion. For more information www.ttrworldtour.com

Donwload here complete minutes from WSF General Assembly 2009, held in Innsbruck last may. Also avaible the Adaptive Snowboarding Presentation.

Download Minutes from WSF General Assembly 2009 here

Download Adaptive Snowboarding Presentation 2009 here

The series of workshops held during the General Assembly provided an open forum for constructive discussions on the current state of snowboarding in general. The workshops generated some great dialogue on varying topics including how national snowboard federations can work together throughout the world and better work in collaboration with independent events, the importance of strengthening the rookie/amateur level of the WSF and TTR Tour and how competitive freestyle snowboarding is seen through the eyes of media. Ultimately, the workshops were a great opportunity to put the competitive freestyle snowboard world under a magnifying glass and the outcome will help to better organize the sport of snowboarding on a global level.

The first Summer Rookie Fest was a great success with 1080 from groms and 1260 from the winner. If you don’t trust a kid can do such tricks just have a look at the video report from the event.

Read here the full report and ranks from the event

The new season is coming soon in some parts of the snowboard world and the first calendar will be launched in short time. The new season is coming soon in some parts of the snowboard world and the first calendar will be launched in short time. WSF cooperation with Swatch TTR is stronger than ever and is time for National Snowboard Assocation to register their events in the next season calendar.

WSF has the exclusive right to approve any events for the TTR World Snowboard Tour on 1star, 2star and 3star level. The National Snowboard Association should play an active role in evaluating, coordinating and handling all events on these levels in the country.

Download here all info and Documents for Event Application 2009.10

Event requirements.
Attached is the form showing the requirements for the different star levels. Please study this form carefully; all event applications will be evaluated according to these requirements.

Electronic application.
A new electronic application system has been developed for application on all levels. Please enter the WSF website www.worldsnowboardfederation.org and click “Event application”.

National ranking.
WSF offer a national ranking system to all members. The same star category and point break system is used as for the TTR ranking. We offer national ranking for girls/boys, three different age categories; OPEN, ROOOKIE and GROM and for all disciplines. Six nations used the national ranking system last season and report they were very satisfied. The national ranking system is based on results from national events on 1-2-3 star level. Only national riders can earn points.

WSF Rookie ranking.
WSF has developed and tried out an international Rookie ranking. This is a ranking age limited to under 18. All national competition for this age category can be uploaded on this ranking. The ranking will be used as a qualification to the WSF World Rookie Fest Final.

WSF Fees.
The fee structure for 2009 / 10 are
200 Euro for events at 1 star level – 25 Euro paid back to NSA
450 Euro for events at in category 2 – 50 Euro paid back to NSA
1000 Euro for events at 3 star level – 75 Euro paid back to NSA

There will be no rider fee next season.

The payback to the NSA is given provided the NSA
Evaluate all event application in the country on request from WSF
Inform all event organisers about ranking routines
Collect fees from event organisers and pay to WSF

National Snowboard Associations that use the national ranking and / or the Rookie ranking which WSF offer to all pay the same fee pr event, but do not get any payback. (the “payback” is payment for the ranking services offered by WSF on National / Rookie ranking)

Invoicing.
You will all receive an invoice based on the number of events on the confirmed level. Results from events will not be uploaded until fee is paid successfully.

Promotion on web sites.
Every event at 1-2-3Star level will be promoted on the web site and with the WSF communication tool.
1Star: inclusion in the International Event Calendar + Event Page
2Star: as 1Star + evidence in home page “Next Event” box (to be opened soon) and possibility to publish the official event video in WSF TV (to be opened soon in cooperation with Freecaster.tv)
3Star: as 2Star.+ promotional news and official report published in WSF home page + international press release distribution to all WSF media and industry contacts world wide.

Appoint a person responsible for all about ranking.
It is absolutely necessary that you all appoint a person responsible for coordinating and operating all about ranking at the national level. This person must be responsible for
Applications of events to WSF
All about result list for uploading
Information about changes and cancellations of events
Communication with WSF and event organisers
Photos and reports to WSF press office

Please inform about name and contact information as soon as this person is appointed.

I hope we can have another successful season with participation on the TTR World Tour Ranking, the National ranking as well for the Rookie ranking. And just to be clear, there is only one international ranking list for OPEN class. All WSF registered events approved for the TTR World Snowboard Tour give points for this ranking list. One Tour for men and one for women. All events on all levels are part of the same calendar and only freestyle formats are accepted by TTR.

National ranking is open for all disciplines.

I welcome new and experienced nations to be part of the rankings and if you have question, please let us know.

All information / applications to be sent to gutveit@online.no .

Regards
Gunnar Tveit

The Black Yeti didn’t hole up, he moved to Val Senales for the Summer Rookie Fest, the only TTR summer event scheduled in the Alps. The rookie champion Roope Tonteri won after a thrilling head to head final in the slopestyle contest with new Czech talent Darek “True Crail” Bergmann. The competition was initially 1Star level, but was elevated to 2Star TTR after the display of rotations up to bs1260 in the qualifiers in the amazing Gentlemen Riders Snowpark.

 

Roope Tonteri kick ass with his bs1260

With regard to the groms, the South Tyrolean talent Markino Grigis was the best one with a frontside 1080 on the big kicker. As for the eight competing girls, all of them from the Czech Republic, the best one was the young Diana Augustinova, protagonists of the contest as well as of the parties.

Markino Grigis from Italy got the grom category

The Snowpark set up, realized by the Gentlemen’s Riders crew, included a first table top with two jumps of 8 and 12m and a butterbox, a second table top with jumps of 14 and 18m and a 12-meter down rail. The contestants from Italy, Austria, Finland and the Czech Republic hit the park for a very high level slope style, but this event was not just about competitiveness. Sure enough, the program featured also skateboard sessions, video shootings with the pro RedBull who were invited as coaches: Filippo Kratter, Roman Dlauhy and Sarka Pancochova.

Darek “Crail Master” Bergmann

As for the contest, the format scheduled a day of training, one of qualifiers and one for the finals, everything in the jam session format. During the competition we saw cab900, cab1080, fs1080 and bs1260. In the finals, the sky-high level of the two final contenders Roope Tonteri and Darek Bergmann brought to an extra final run for a direct play-off where the Finnish won with the fs1260. Unbelievable level.

Roope Tonteri at the skate park

As in the tradition of the rookie fest, the prizes did not consist of money, but values for the career of young rookies: photo and video shootings with Entry Magazine and Board.TV, invitations to bigger events and surf camps offered by Protest.

Vesa Marakkinen over the Yeti

This was the closing event of a season of rookie events all over the world, and the international stops of the next season have already been announced:

World Rookie Tour 2010
Iberic Rookie Fest 2009 – 2Star slope style, Spain, December 2009
World Rookie Fest 2010 – 3Star slope style, Italy, January 2010
Balkan Rookie Fest 2010 – 2Star slope style, Serbia, February 2010
France Rookie Fest 2010 – 2Star slope style, France, February 2010
East Rookie Fest 2010 – 2Start slope style and half pipe, Czech Republic, March 2010
World Rookie Finals 2010 – 4Star slope style, Austria, April 2010
Summer Rookie Fest 2010 – 2Star slope style, Val Senales, Italy, July 2010

In addition to 1star level qualifying events in many other Countries. More info will be available soon at www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Final Rank – Summer Rookie Fest
Slope Style 2Star TTR

WOMEN
Rank Bib G/R Last Name First Name Nationality
1 9 G Augustinova Diana CZE
2 17 G Stenclova Dorota CZE
3 16 G Vankova Michaela CZE
4 2 G Horakova Karolina CZE
5 58 G Prazienkova Eliska CZE
6 39 G Prochazkova Veronika CZE
7 43 G Houvbova Eliska CZE
7 48 G Fidrmucova Natalie CZE

Girl podium

MEN
Rank Bib G/R Last Name First Name Nationality
1 49 G Tonteri Roope FIN
2 6 R Bergmann Darek CZE
3 31 R Weissenbacher Mathias AUT
4 26 R Gurtwirth Filip CZE
5 51 G Dreher Paul AUT
6 46 R Grigis Marco ITA
7 53 R Makarainen Vesa FIN
8 44 R Naccari Ruggero ITA
9 52 G Piller Cottner Filiberto ITA
10 11 R Bisa Michal CZE
11 24 R Porket Ondrej CZE
12 19 R Mikyska Martin CZE
13 54 R Bisol Mauro ITA
14 3 R Vieider Hannes ITA
15 5 G Porket Daniel CZE
16 45 R Giacomelli Alessio ITA
17 22 G Pajer Miki CZE
18 20 R Horak Petr CZE
19 38 G Noire Matteo ITA

Rookie Podium

Grom Podium

info at rookie@worldsnowboardfederation.org

ABOUT WORLD ROOKIE TOUR & WORLD ROOKIE RANK
The World Rookie Tour is the world tour for all snowboarders under 18 years of age. It is sponsored by the World Snowboard Federation and the Swatch TTR World Tour. It includes contests all over the world from 1 to 4Star level and every year in April it ends with the “4Star World Rookie Finals”. The World Rookie Rank is the special ranking for under 18 athletes and it was developed by the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) in collaboration with the TTR. At the end of the World Rookie Tour the World Rookie Champion is named. He or she will be offered a unique opportunity to enter the world professionals with an invitation to a video shooting with the Pirate Movie Productions, to a Photo Shooting with On Board Europe and an invitation to an International Pro Event.

ABOUT THE WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
The WSF is the only international organization dedicated exclusively to the development and support of snowboard at all levels, including competitive as well as training levels, snowboarding for disabled, and initiatives for riders of any age. The WSF is a network of international snowboard associations which cooperate all over the world aiming at the development of this sport. Le nations members of the WSF find in it an inspiration source and a support to their activities. The WSF can create added value for all those who practise snowboarding at an international level and it offers ideas, manuals and initiatives. As a result, members are united in a widespread organization with the same objective, that is the progression of snowboard at all levels. www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Over 80 representatives from different realms of the snowboard industry gathered together on May 29th and 30th, 2009 in Innsbruck, Austria for the TTR General Assembly 2009. Over the two days, members of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, the World Snowboard Federation and representatives from snowboard media outlets and snowboard brands voiced their thoughts, concerns and ideas in workshops and meetings to establish measures that will push the progression of competitive freestyle snowboarding and help take the sport to the next level.

The series of workshops held during the General Assembly provided an open forum for constructive discussions on the current state of snowboarding in general. The workshops generated some great dialogue on varying topics including how national snowboard federations can work together throughout the world and better work in collaboration with independent events, the importance of strengthening the rookie/amateur level of the TTR Tour and how competitive freestyle snowboarding is seen through the eyes of media. Ultimately, the workshops were a great opportunity to put the competitive freestyle snowboard world under a magnifying glass and the outcome will help to better organize the sport of snowboarding on a global level.

Download Minutes from WSF General Assembly 2009 here

Some of the key changes made for the 2009/2010 Swatch TTR World Tour season are outlined below.

Supporting riders
As a rider-driven organization, the TTR is trying to best accommodate riders in the extremely busy 2009/2010 Olympic season by reducing the number of required TTR results from seven to six results. This will allow riders to work Olympic qualification events, the Olympic Games and TTR events into their schedules allowing them to focus on both the Olympics and the TTR tour.

Strengthening the amateur leg of the TTR tour
For the 2009/2010 season, the TTR Tour and the WSF will reduce event fees and prize money requirements for 1Star – 4Star events. This change aims to encourage more events to join the TTR and to allow these events to operate more freely with less stress on meeting TTR fee or prize money requirements. In addition, the “event profiles” section of ttrworldtour.com will be opened up to 1Star – 3Star events so they have the opportunity to present their event under the TTR umbrella.

Creating a more transparent qualification system for open events
The TTR will introduce a qualification system for open events (such as the Burton European Open, O’Neill Evolution, Champs Open and Burton US Open), which will give the Top 250 male and Top 125 female riders on the TTR World Ranking List priority access when registering for open events until a certain quota is filled. Riders will still need to register by the appropriate event registration deadline to ensure they can take advantage of their priority access.

Broad informational database for media
With the Olympic season quickly approaching, the Swatch TTR will introduce a web-based information database containing all riders’ TTR results and all major non-TTR event results reaching back to 1998. TTR is introducing this database in an effort to provide media covering Olympic qualifications and the Olympic Games a complete overview of a rider’s achievements without limitations to one organization.

These changes and initiatives were unanimously approved by all Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour members at the General Assembly held on May 30th, 2009.

ABOUT SWATCH TTR:
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Swatch Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization with the mission “to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility, innovation as guiding principles”. Since its foundation, the Swatch TTR Tour has been developing into the most exposed snowboard tour worldwide featuring global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. Events are rated via a 1-through-6Star system, with points allocated accordingly, a 6Star event holds the highest. Any rider participating in these events, from up-and-coming to professional talent, earns ranking points and a position on the SWATCH TTR World Ranking List. The top male and female rider based on an average of their best eight results of the season (5+1 system) is crowned Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion. www.ttrworldtour.com

ABOUT THE WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
WSF is the only international organisation exclusively working to develop and taking care for the sport of snowboard at all levels including, competitions and education, disable and adaptive snowboarding, snowboard activities for riders of any age. WSF represent a network of national snowboard associations which cooperate world wide for the sport development. Members find in WSF a source of inspiration and support at their activities. WSF can create added value for everybody involved in snowboard on national level and can offer ideas, manuals and initiatives as a result of being together in one organization with the same goal: progression of snowboarding at all levels. www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

WSF World Rookie Champion 09 Roope Tonteri, got is filming session with Pirate Movie Production in Schnastal Glacier, Italy. Check out the story and video interview and don’t miss the upcoming Summer Rookie Fest in the same resort: a crazy snowpark set up is waiting for the top rookies!

“We are stoked on the next generation of snowboards that will blow our mind in the future! Already last year, we had a cooperation with the WorldSnowboardFederation and invited the WorldRookieChampion to shoot with us at CampOfChampions in Whistler. Too bad for Gjermund Braten, who got sick right before that trip…so Giorgio Ciancaleoni, who was placed second got the chance to shoot some tricks on 16mm. Watch his spins in Boardbagged 3!” (from Pirate Movie Production blog)

Also this year, the winner of the Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl got a voucher to shoot with Pirate Movie Production! Roope Tonteri, riding for Burton Snowboards, got lucky and took the champion title AND the invitation voucher home to Finland. He joined a spring session in Schnastal Galcier, Italy, where he showed his skills! Stay tuned for this young charger and his appearance in next year’s Pirate film”Jolly Roger”!

Roope got his ticket to filming with Pirate at the Protest World Rookie Finals 09

The photo shooting took a week. The ski resort was closed, reserved for the shooting and with a perfect snowpark shaped by Gentlemen’s Riders crew. Roope and the Pirate crew were based at Rifugio BellaVista, directly on the glacier, with a private snowcat to move around the area serching for spots. The World Rookie Champion showed how he took that title and conquered a new title: Pirate Roope Tonteri.

Roope go huge on the hip in Schnastal Snowpark

Cab9 on Big Berta in Schnastal

Check out Roope Tonteri Video Interview produced during the week on the Pirate Blog, where you can also read the daily reports from Roope.

Click on the pics to watch Roope Tonteri video interview by Pirates.

Roope Tonteri confirmed his partecipation at the Summer Rookie Fest in Schnastal, Italy, from 28 june to 3 july (all info about the Summer Rookie Fest here). Seems the new rookie champion like the Italian Alps!

Pictures from Pirate Movie Production

The Yeti of snowboard is spending the summer on the glacier of Schnastal, Italy. From 27th June untill 3rd July 2009, rookies from all over Europe are meeting for the first summer edition of the Rookie Fest.

SUMMER ROOKIE FEST 2009
Swatch TTR 1Star Slope Style and Freestyle Rookie Camp
Schnastal, Italy, 27 june – 3 july 2009

Donwload here all info about Summer Rookie Fest 2009
Download here inscription form for Summer Rookie Fest 2009

The Yeti of snowboard is spending the summer on the glacier of Schnastal, Italy. From 27th June to 3th July 2009, rookies from all over Europe are meeting for the first summer edition of the Rookie Fest. The programme includes a slope style 1Star TTR valid for the World Rookie Tour, as well as many other activities. Among them, freestyle camps with international pro riders, barbeque, skate contests, and a Red Bull Party which is going to be unforgettable. The Summer Rookie Fest is reserved to riders born from 1991 and up.

As in the winter editions, the Summer Rookie Fest is not just a contest, but a unique opportunity to meet and hang with rookies from all over Europe, riders from Nike6.0 team, and some of the toughest youngsters in the world. Also the reigning World Rookie Champion is going to be there, the Finnish Roope Tonteri. He was in Schnastal just a few weeks ago, for his first professional photo&video shooting with Pirate Movie Productions.

The Gentlemen’s Nitro Snowpark in Schnastal is one of the best summer snowparks in the Alps, with a lot of obstacles from easy line to pro line. The tourist facility providing accommodation is the beautiful Apparthotel Kurtz*** in half board. The hotel is just 200 mt away from the cableway of Schnastal. The hotel has every comfort: a swimming pool, gym, wellness centre, basket and tennis courts, a five-a-side football pitch, and a skatepark where the Rookie Skate Contests will take place.

For the rookies who wish to train and learn new tricks, the Summer Rookie Fest offers the possibility to take part in an Advanced Freestyle Camp. Among the coaches who will be there, we would like to mention the international ProFilippo Kratter who has been engaged in international video productions for some years now, formerly with Mack Dawg and now with Movie Pirate.

Pro Snowboarder Filippo Kratter among the freestyle camp coach

It is now possible to take part in the Summer Rookie Fest with the following packages:
Package A “contest”: 27th june – 1nd july for € 280+ insurence (30€)
It includes 4 nights in Hotel (half board), 3-day lift tickets, coach, participation to the contests and Red Bull Party on june 30.
Package B “contest + camp”: 27th june – 3rd july for € 390 + insurence (30€)
It includes 6 nights in Hotel (half board), 5-day lift tickets, coach, participation to the contests and Red Bull Party, freestyle camp on 1st and 2nd july.

– at the moment of your registration, we will ask you to make a down payment of 50 € on our bank account: Board Riders / IBAN: IT11X0760102400000046638144 / Bank Name: Banco Posta.
– Insurence Card is mandatory for those who want to partecipate.

Information and registration at the Board Riders administrative office 

mail: rookie@worldsnowboardfederation.org
phone: +39.051.4077725 – +39.340.3285569

World Rookie Champion Roope Tonteri will be there … and you?

If you don’t have any idea what a Rookie Fest is all about check the video from the last World Rookie Finals 2009 in Ischgl, Austria.

EVENT INFO
SUMMER ROOKIE FEST 2009
SCHNASTAL. ITALY. 27 June– 3 July

Event Summer Rookie Fest
Location Schnastal, Italy
Date 27 june – 3 july 2009
Event Format Slope Style (1 Star) – Freestyle Camp and Skateboard Contest
Age groups Rookie (born from 1991 and 1993) // Grom (born adter 1994)
Prize A ticket to one of the World Rookie Fest 2010, 1 invitation to Protest Surf & Beach Camps in Hossegor, snowboard staff and tropheys.
Qualified Riders Event open to every rider born from 1991. Max number of rider admitted: 100.
Inscription by mail to rookie@worldsnowboardfederation.org .
Costs 280€ for package 1 (27th june to 1st july) and 390€ for package 2 (27th june to 3rd july). The cost include half board (breakfast and dinner), coach, lift tickets, contest inscription, redbull party and freestyle camp.
Accomodation At Hotel Kurtz***
Judging up to snowboard judges and experts
Park Shaping Gentlemens Riders Crew
Transportation Taxi service avaible from Bolzen and Meran
Media Accreditation contact rookie@worldsnowboardfederation.org
TV Production & Pics: Just a few days after the event, a TV production, footage and photos of the event will be available (contact rookie@worldsnowboardfederation.org)
Sponsor&Partner: Nike6.0, O2 Telephonica, Snowpark.it, Blue Hotel, supportato dalla Pirate Movie Productions, Funivie Val Senales, Gentlemen’s Riders, 100-One, Neuro, energizzato da RedBull.
Organization World Rookie Fest Organizing Committee in collaboration with Board Riders
Contact Marco Sampaoli – rookie@worldsnowboardfederation.org – ph:+39.340.3285569
Official website www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

 

PROGRAM SUMMER ROOKIE FEST 2009

27 june 2009 – Arrival Day 🙂
10.00-20.00 Registration of riders, coach and media. Payment of the entry fee in cash money and bib distribution. At Race Office in Hotel ZIRM, Maso Corto, Schnastal
20.00 Dinner
28 june 2009 – Training Day
9.00-13.00 Training Slope Style snowpark
14.30 – 17 Enjoy Val Senales
19.30 Dinner
29 june 2009 – Qualifing Day and Skateboard Contest
9.00 – 13.00 Training and Quali in jam session format at Snowpark
17.00 Skateboard Contest
20.00 Dinner
30 june 2009 – Finals Summer Rookie Fest 1Star
9.00 – 13.00 Training and Finals (60’ of jam session) at the Snowpark
14.30 – 17 Enjoy Val Senales
20.00 Dinner
22.00 Red Bull Party e premiazioni Summer Rookie Fest
1 july 2009 – Reserve Day // Freestyle camp
9.00 – 14.00 Reserve day for finals // Snowboard Freestyle Camps
14.30 – 17 Enjoy Val Senales
20.00 Dinner
2 july 2009 – Freestyle camp
9.00 – 14.00 Snowboard Freestyle Camps
14.30 – 17 Enjoy Val Senales
20.00 Dinner and Final Party
3 july 2009 – Departure Day 🙁
9.00 – 14.00 Back Home 🙁

Donwload here all info about Summer Rookie Fest 2009
Download here inscription form for Summer Rookie Fest 2009

ABOUT WORLD ROOKIE TOUR & WORLD ROOKIE RANK
The World Rookie Tour is the world tour for all snowboarders under 18 years of age. It is sponsored by the World Snowboard Federation and the Swatch TTR World Tour. It includes contests all over the world from 1 to 4Star level and every year in April it ends with the “4Star World Rookie Finals”. The World Rookie Rank is the special ranking for under 18 athletes and it was developed by the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) in collaboration with the TTR. At the end of the World Rookie Tour the World Rookie Champion is named. He or she will be offered a unique opportunity to enter the world professionals with an invitation to a video shooting with the Pirate Movie Productions, to a Photo Shooting with On Board Europe and an invitation to an International Pro Event.

ABOUT THE WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
The WSF is the only international organization dedicated exclusively to the development and support of snowboard at all levels, including competitive as well as training levels, snowboarding for disabled, and initiatives for riders of any age. The WSF is a network of international snowboard associations which cooperate all over the world aiming at the development of this sport. Le nations members of the WSF find in it an inspiration source and a support to their activities. The WSF can create added value for all those who practise snowboarding at an international level and it offers ideas, manuals and initiatives. As a result, members are united in a widespread organization with the same objective, that is the progression of snowboard at all levels.. www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Over 100 pictures from Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl, Austria to show the highest youth event of the TTR World Snowboard Tour. Check out the photo gallery by Armin Popp and Eleonora Raggi.

View complete photo gallery here

The new crop of WSF young talents fought to be crowned World Rookie Champion this weekend at the Swatch TTR 4Star Protest World Rookie Final in Ischgl, Austria. Roope Tonteri stomped his way to first place and got the title of Champion. Also on the line was a filming session with Pirate Movie Productions, one with Aesthetiker Crew and a photo-shooting with Onboard Europe giving young riders the opportunity to step on stage and earn international recognition. Tonteri was closely followed by Kevin Backstrom (SWE) in second place and Eskil Korneliussen (NOR) in third. Among the groms another scandic talent won: it was Sven Thorgren, 14 years old from Sweden. Michaela Davis-Meehan, the only Australian in the starting field, stood up to her female competitors and took home the win for the girls.

 

Roope Tonteri conquering the World Rookie Champion title

Due to unfortunate weather conditions on Friday, qualifications and finals were held together on Saturday in a three-runs format. As the best two runs counted, the riders had to show a variety of tricks increasing the intensity of the event and ensuring the onlookers witnessed some amazing feats.

Male Rookie Podium

The springtime sun shone brightly upon the slushy course as the rookies stepped it up in front of a large end of season crowd. The Ischgl snowpark consisted of jumps from 8m to 20m, boxes, rails, and a wall ride, providing countless opportunities for the riders to get their shred on and showcase creativity.

Male Grom Podium

“I am happy to be World Rookie Champion. The riding was good today and I am stoked that another Finnish rider is champion after Peetu Piiroinen won the TTR Tour this year.”, Tonteri said after he learned about his win. Tonteri, who showed a good performance at many other World Rookie Tour and TTR events this year, moves into World No. 105 in the Swatch TTR World Rankings.

Sven Thorgren resulted the best grom

Some of the nicest tricks of the day were thrown down by Darek Bergmann (CZE) who finished in fifth with a run including a Frontside 7 with super nice Crail Grab, by Kevin Backstrom with a Frontside 1080 followed by a Tailbonk to 360 Out on the RedBull Obstacle and by Austrian shred talent Luca Schranz who surprised everyone with some one-footed action on the kinkrail and the following kicker. These rookies are showing some real talent and pro boarding could well fill their savings accounts in the near future. Props also have to go out to Teddy Koo (JAP), who took out the 2Star North Face Korean Rookie Fest and finished in fourth position today. Throughout the contest the level of riding was on professional standards and everyone will be watching as these newcomers erupt onto the professional world of snowboarding in coming seasons.

With Ischgl the World Rookie Tour 2008.09 is over but the kickoff for next tour already announced: a Summer Rookie Fest will be held in Schnastal, Italy, from 27 june untill 3rd july 2009. More info will be avaible soon on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

PROTEST WORLD ROOKIE FINALS – Results per Age Groups

ROOKIES
Rank bib Name Surname Nat
1 24 Roope Tonteri FIN (won Filming with Pirate Movie Production – Onboard Shooting – Protest Surf Camp)
2 6 Kevin Backstrom SWE (won Onboard Shooting – Protest Surf Camp)
3 3 Eskil Korneliussen NOR (won Onboard Shooting)
4 14 Teddy Koo JPN (won Onboard Shooting)
5 22 Darek Bergmann CZE (won Onboard Shooting – Protest Surf Camp for best trick)
6 9 Adrian Krainer AUT
7 8 Zebastian Landmark SWE
8 31 Aljosa Krivec SLO
9 13 Luca Schranz AUT
10 11 Mathias Weissenbacher AUT
11 5 Rudi Oesterhus NOR
12 27 Naccari Ruggero ITA
13 20 Nuutti Niemela FIN
14 21 Petr Horak CZE
15 29 Nicola Dioli ITA
16 16 Yannick Imboden SUI
17 2 Mauro Bisol ITA
18 19 Samuel Kasper SUI
19 25 Vesa Mäkäräinen FIN
20 28 Giorgio Ciancaleoni ITA
21 17 Lars Bachmann SUI
22 30 Filiberto Piller Cottner ITA
23 4 Mark Raper GBR
dns 1 Johannes Handle AUT
dns 10 Thomas Tramnitz AUT
dns 15 Stefan Reichmuth SUI
dns 26 Davide Beltracch SUI

ROOKIE GIRLS
Rank bib Name Surname Nat
1 41 Michaela Davis-Meehan AUS (won Protest Surf Camp)
2 42 Arianna Sittoni ITA

GROMS
Rank bib Name Surname Nat
1 50 Sven Thorgren SWE (won Onboard Shooting, filming with Aesthetiker, Goldet Ticket to every Rookie Fests 2010)
2 57 Martin Mikyska CZE
3 56 Leandro Eigensatz SUI
4 61 Tim-Kevin Ravnjak SLO
5 58 Ondrej Porkert CZE
6 51 Lewis Courtier-Jones GBR
7 60 GianMarco Maiocco ITA
8 52 Thomas Hunt GBR
9 54 Lucien Koch SUI
10 59 Daniel Porkert CZE
11 53 Roland Tschoder AUT
12 55 Yannick Hertmann SUI

GROM GIRLS
Rank bib Name Surname Nat
1 72 Maria Maiocco ITA (won Golden Ticket to every Rookie Fests 2010)
2 71 Diana Augustinova CZE

Official website: www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Info and media: Marco Sampaoli, +39.340.3285569, marco@worldsnowboardfederation.org
ABOUT WORLD ROOKIE TOUR & WORLD ROOKIE RANK
Only the best rookies in the world will be granted access to the World Rookie Tour big final: the Swatch TTR 4Star “Protest World Rookie Finals” in Ischgl, Austria, from April 15 to April 19, 2009. Only the winners of the previous qualifiers will be able to go to Ischgl, together with the best athletes of the World Rookie Rank on April 5, and the wild cards that single nations give to their most promising rookies. The World Rookie Rank is a classification for under 18’s only and it is developed by the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) in collaboration with TTR. At the end of the World Rookie Tour, the final winner will be awarded with the title of World Rookie Champion. He will be offered a unique opportunity to enter the world of professional snowboarding: an invitation to a Video Shooting with the Pirate Movie Production, a Photo Shooting by On Board Europe and an invitation to an event which is still kept secret are awaiting the winner.

ABOUT THE WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
WSF is the only international organisation working uniquely to develop and support snowboard at all levels, including competitions and education, disable and adaptive snowboarding, activities for riders of any age. WSF is a network of national snowboard associations cooperating worldwide for the development and promotion of the sport. Members find in WSF a source of inspiration and support to their activities. WSF can create added value for everybody involved in snowboard on national level and offers ideas, handbooks and initiatives, the result of an organization whose components share the same goal: progression of snowboarding at all levels. www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Today 50 of the best youngster from 12 nations landed in Ischgl, Austria, for the Protest World Rookie Finals 2009. For this TTR 4star event the best youngsters were pre-selected throw many other contests to challenge for the title of World Rookie Champion and many amazing prizes for example filming sessions with Pirate Movie Production and a photo-shooting with Onboard Europe.

 

Insane Set Up at Ischgl Snowpark

The set up of the park consist of jumps from 8m to 20m, boxes, rail, a wall ride and additionali a huge bag jump was prepared for a special training session. Tuesday trainings were under strong winds but the young talents showed up their skills anyway on both competition slope style and in the many other freestyle areas shaped by Ischgl snowpark crew.

For the next days the event schedule include not only competition but also avalanche practical clinics, photo shootings, video review while team managers, talent’s scout and media are expected to come to see with their eyes who will be the next snowboarding future star. “Snowboarding is not just about competing, it’s a combination of many aspects including photo and filming session, freeriding and avalanche knowledge” stated Marco Sampaoli, world rookie tour director “that’s the reason we include in each event these features”.

Avalanche training by Pieps

Since its first edition in Norway, the world rookie fest is the event where unknown youngsters start to shine: the first rookie fest champion in 2004 was Peetu Piiroinen, just crowned few days ago TTR World Tour Champion 2009.

The Furius Black Yeti take care of the youngsters

Who will be the Rookie Champion? You will know on sunday

Official website: www.worldsnowboardfederation.org
Info, inscriptions and hotel booking: Meinhard Trojer, +43.650.5637424, meinhardtrojer@powdern.com
Info and media: Marco Sampaoli, +39.340.3285569, marco@worldsnowboardfederation.org

ABOUT WORLD ROOKIE TOUR & WORLD ROOKIE RANK
Only the best rookies in the world will be granted access to the World Rookie Tour big final: the Swatch TTR 4Star “Protest World Rookie Finals” in Ischgl, Austria, from April 15 to April 19, 2009. Only the winners of the previous qualifiers will be able to go to Ischgl, together with the best athletes of the World Rookie Rank on April 5, and the wild cards that single nations give to their most promising rookies. The World Rookie Rank is a classification for under 18’s only and it is developed by the World Snowboard Federation (WSF) in collaboration with TTR. At the end of the World Rookie Tour, the final winner will be awarded with the title of World Rookie Champion. He will be offered a unique opportunity to enter the world of professional snowboarding: an invitation to a Video Shooting with the Pirate Movie Production, a Photo Shooting by On Board Europe and an invitation to an event which is still kept secret are awaiting the winner.

ABOUT THE WORLD SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
WSF is the only international organisation working uniquely to develop and support snowboard at all levels, including competitions and education, disable and adaptive snowboarding, activities for riders of any age. WSF is a network of national snowboard associations cooperating worldwide for the development and promotion of the sport. Members find in WSF a source of inspiration and support to their activities. WSF can create added value for everybody involved in snowboard on national level and offers ideas, handbooks and initiatives, the result of an organization whose components share the same goal: progression of snowboarding at all levels. www.worldsnowboardfederation.org