Category: World Rookie Tour

Ruiki is the most international japanese rookie! At only 15 years of age, he entered TAC twice, joined the Oakley Style Master in China and travel a lot around the world from a competition to an other. Read something more about this talented rookie…

Ruiki at TAC05, Fisness Session

Name: Ruiki Masudai
Date of Birth: 29-march-1991
Nationality: Japanese

Ruiki in China, travelling at the Oakley Style Master

Sponsor: Lib-Tech, Volcom, Dragon, Drake, Nortwave, Bros (Snowboard Shop)
Stance: 21, 15
Favorite trick: sb 180
Highest ranking: 7th at TAC06
Favorite Spot: Ishiuchi Maruyama, Niigata
Favorite food&drink: Chinese Noodle
Best Music: Beck and Iggy Pop
Future Projects: Being an international pro rider!

Ruiki at TAC06

Pics by Marco Sampaoli, Gian Luca Zanetti and Ishi

Manuel is the most talented italian rookie, Olympic rider and join the TAC twice. At 15th years old he realized a good part of his dreams but he still got some new goal for the incoming season: improve more and more.

Manuel at TAC05, Fisness Session

Name: Manuel Pietropoli
Nick name: none
Date of Birth: 30-april-1990
Nationality: Italian

Manuel at TAC05 and TAC06

Sponsor: Burton, Red Bull, Oakley
Stance: Regular, +18..-18
Favorite trick: fs 9 tail grab
Highest ranking: 3rd junior at BEO06
Favorite Spot: Everywhere there’s a good park!

Manuel at TAC05

Favorite food&drink: Italian pasta and…Red Bull!!!
Best Music: House
Best Artist: Finly
Best Movie: Step

Manuel at the World Rookie Fest Finals 06 in Soelden

The event of your dream: The Battle
Hero of all times: Shan White
Slogan: none
Future Projects: Improve my level as much as possible!

Manuel at the Olympics Games 2006 in Torino

Pics by Marco Sampaoli and Luca “Ciccio” Borghetti

Christian Haller is WSF World Rookie Champion 2006. After entering the rookie fest in Livigno, he stroke some ttr events and finally joined the WRF Finals in Soelden glacier, winning the world title! Here is a short profile about him with some nice pics from season 05.06

Christian in Soelden WRF slope style track

Name: Christian Haller
Nick name: Hitsch
Date of Birth: 28.10.1989
Nationality: SUI

Christian in Soelden WRF slope style and at prize giving

Sponsor: Burton, Swatch, Anon, Gravis, Arcus, Shema Skates
Stance: +15..-12
Favorite trick: fs 3
Highest ranking: BEO Pipe Juniors 2nd, BEO Slope Juniors 1st, Rookie Festival Final 1st
Favorite Spot: Davos

Christian during Livigno World Rookie Fest 06

Favorite food&drink: Coke, Burger, Pizza
Best Music: Misfits, Ramones, Led Zeppelin
Best Artist: none
Best Movie: All Gone
The event of your dream: Fondue& Friends Session
Hero of all times: Nicolas, Eero, Freddi, Markus K, Heikki

Christian in Livigno WRF 06

Slogan: none
Future Projects: Filming with MMP, ride some Contests and have fun!

Pics by Luca “Ciccio” Borghetti and Armin Popps

ON 2nd december the 2nd Munich edition of the Air&Style will sign the starting line of the Northern Hemisphere TTR Title race…

TTR 6(SIX) STAR, THE NOKIA AIR&STYLE PROMISES HUGE SNOWBOARDING LINE UP AND MUCH, MUCH MORE…

Munich, September 21st 2006 – On Saturday, December 2nd 2006 the world´s best snowboarders and the stars in freestyle motocross will turn the Olympic Stadium Munich into their very own playground at the Nokia Air & Style 06. The new set-up and a bigger ramp will guarantee a better view and more snowboard and FMX action with top stars such as David Benedek, Travis Rice, Nicolas Müller and Nate Adams. The Canadian Punkrocker Billy Talent and the Berlin Dancehall-Caballeros Seed will rock the crowd. Ticket presale has begun on www.muenchenticket.de.

To guarantee a perfect experience for spectators there have been plenty of improvements in the program and the setup of the stadium made for the Nokia Air & Style 06. There will be a lot more snowboard action than in previous years. The ramp was moved to the other side of the stadium and is even bigger than last years´ record breaking ramp. A bigger start-up and a steepened jump-off platform assure not only a longer air-time but also more radical jumps.

The FMX-parcours is integrated into the second – likewise new and improved – snowboard hill, so the FMX-Rider will fly criss-cross above it. With the new positioning of the ramp and the stage the Olympic Stadium is set up as a caldron: all spectators enjoy a perfect view and great atmosphere at this spectacular event.

Everybody will benefit from the improved circumstances, when rough “Punkrock-Riffs” meet rolling “Reggae-Riddims”. Together with Seeed – and another soon to be announced band – the Canadian high-flyer of the year Billy Talent will rock the crowd and get the stadium fired up. The second edition of the Nokia Air & Style in Munich on December 2nd 2006 is a must-see event presenting first-class music entertainment, the worlds best snowboarders and the who´s who of freestyle motocross.

Location: Olympic Stadium Munich
Date: Saturday, December 2nd 2006
Program:
Doors open (1:30pm)
Snowboard Rookie Challenge (3:30pm)
Band No.1(Special Surprise)
Snowboard 1st Round
FMX 1st Round
Billy Talent
Snowboard 2nd Round
FMX 2. Round
FMX Final
Snowboard Super Final
Final Prizegiving
Seeed

Tickets (available through www.muenchenticket.de): Grandstand € 34,90 (plus Presale Fee)
Arena € 41,90 (plus Presale Fee)
VIP € 125,00 (plus Presale Fee)
Mixery Clubbing € 10,00 (plus Presale Fee)
(After-Show Party)

Journalist can accredit online on www.air-style.com.
For further inquiries:
Dirk Loesch, LoeschHundLiepold KommunikationTel.: 0 89 – 72 01 87 11 / E-Mail: d.loesch@lhlk.de

Here some info about the Burton European Open, 6Star TTR event that will accour next january in Laax, Swiss.

BURTON AND LAAX ARE GEARING UP FOR THE 2007 BURTON EUROPEAN OPEN

Innsbruck, AUT (September 5, 2006) The Burton European Open, the second event in this year’s Burton Global Open Series Presented by Motorola, will take place in Laax, Switzerland from January 20-27, 2007. The highlight of the European snowboard competition scene, the Burton European Open is the only event on the continent open to all riders, drawing more than 500 riders to compete in halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines.

The BEO unites kids, up-and-coming rookies and the world’s best riders in a week-long event that kicks off with the Junior competitions on January 20 & 21 where young riders 16-years-old and under will have the chance to impress the crowds and judges with their skills. Later in the week, women and men will battle for equal prize money of over

Here is a full story about the amazing competition designed by Billabong for the best rookies in New Zeland…

MATTS KULI(CAN) AND JAMIE ANDERSON(USA) WIN TTR 3(THREE) STAR EVENT THE BILLABONG SLOPESTYLE JAM – SNOWPARK, WANAKA, NEW ZEALAND…

A view of the slope style track

Billabong Slopestyle Jam ’06 Open division category titles claimed after dominating performances by Canadian, Matts Kuli, and outstanding rookie, American, Jamie Anderson. Early season Tour leader, Anderson’s title launches her back into 2nd position on the TTR Woman’s World Snowboard Tour rankings. Consistent early season performances added to his 7th place finish at the Billabong Slopestyle Jam saw fellow American, Scotty Lago, claim his first ever TTR Tour Championship lead. Junior Category performances see an all Kiwi field heading to Europe in March. Brown, Hamilton and Sinclair claim places at the TTR 4(four) Star, the Billabong World Pro Junior, later in the season.

The 3(three) Star TTR World Snowboard Tour event, the 2006 Billabong Slopestyle Jam was held from 25th – 27th August at Snowpark, Wanaka in New Zealand. The event marked the tours third stop drawing a powerful mix of international pros and local talent to the Southern hemisphere and with it exposing new talent to the already significant tour list of who-is-who in professional freestyle snowboarding.

In the Open category it was Canadian, Matts Kuli, and American, Jamie Anderson, who dominated the international field, out-riding their competitors and winning the men’s and women’s competitions. Their top results credited them both with 550 TTR World Tour points each and the coveted event title.

Contest format and riding infrastructure, created by Snowpark for the Billabong Slopestyle Jam, was rated as ‘World Class’ by the elated Canadian. Speaking shortly after the event, “The Slopestyle course was amazing. To have a mountain that is specifically designed like this is out of this World!” stated Kuli after earning event title for the season and posting his first TTR World Snowboard Tour result.

Kuli’s success was closely contended by NZ local powerhouse, 21yr-old Stef Zeestraten and reigning 05/06 World number 2, Risto Matilla(FIN), who placed a close third behind the internationally promising kiwi local. Zeestraten was awarded 518.26 TTR points for second while Matilla opened his 06/07 Tour account, notching up a cool 495.00 TTR points and is back in the Championship race.

In a consistent start to the season, Scotty Lago(USA) took 7th place, posting his 5th result in the 06/07 campaign, to sneak past former Tour leader, Danny Davis(USA), and claim his first ever TTR Tour Championship lead.

In the Women’s Open event, Jamie Anderson (USA), who has been in blistering form this season, crushed the female field, dominating the competition with huge technical rotation tricks and line combos throughout event. The American fended off 2005 defending champion, Izumi Amaike(JPN) for her win with Claudia Fliri(AUT) respectably settling for third place.

Anderson was delighted with her win. “I came to New Zealand to shoot my video part. As the conditions hadn’t been great for filming I thought I would enter the event”, stated Anderson, who lead the TTR Woman’s Tour following outstanding performances at the TTR 4(four) Star season launch, the Abominable Snowjam, at Timberline, Mt Hood, in July. Sitting in TTR Tour 5th position before the event, this title takes her back into 2nd position and striking distance of TTR Woman’s Tour leader, Ellery Hollingsworth.

In the Junior category it was Kiwi local, Mitchell Brown, that took the day’s honors after he qualified third for both the Junior and Open divisions. Holding his competition nerve, he locked down the day’s highest scored run on his first attempt. By holding back the rest of the new breed of ultra-talented new Zealanders, including juniors James Hamilton(NZE) and Andy Kennerly(NZE), Brown took the Junior title. The result see’s Hamilton and Brown qualify into the Billabong World Pro Junior Championships in France – a TTR 4(four) Star event which will be held in early March in Les Deux Alpes, France (www.billabongjrpro.com).

Brown and Hamilton will be joined by Rebecca Sinclair(NZL) who also dominated the Junior competition, only this time it was the women division. At only 14yrs-old, Sinclair, a shooting star on the National scene also contested the grommets division, placing a very respectable 7th. After claiming she “didn’t have a very good run in the grommets” she went on to take the title and with secured herself a place next to Brown as they travel to France for the Billabong World Junior Championships. Christine Prior (NZE) was second in the women’s Juniors event with Charlotte Trundle(NZL) filling the podium with a solid third place result.

Results from the 3(three) Star TTR Event – The Billabong Slopestyle Jam:

Open Men
1st Matts Kuli (CAN)
2nd Stef Zeestraten (NZE)
3rd Risto Matilla (FIN)

Open Women
1st Jamie Anderson (USA)
2nd Izumi Amaike (JAP)
3rd Claudia Fliri (AUT)

Junior Men (U/20)
1st Mitchell Brown (NZE)
2nd James Hamilton (NZE)
3rd Andy Kennerly (NZE)

Junior Women (U/20)
1st Rebecca Sinclair (NZE)
2nd Christine Prior (NZE)
3rd Charlotte Trundle (NZE)

Grommets (U/16)
1st Ben Stewart (NZE)
2nd Nick Doucette (NZE)
3rd Wes Walsh (USA)

2006/2007 – Men’s TTR World Snowboard Tour Ranking as of: 28/08/06
Rank Name Nationality Sponsor
1st Lago, Scotty USA Flow, Billabong, Smith
2nd Davis, Danny USA Burton, Anon
3rd Fisher, Steve USA Head

2006/2007 – Women’s TTR World Snowboard Tour Ranking as of: 28/08/06
Rank Name Nationality Sponsor
1st Holligsworth, Ellery USA Burton, Oakley
2nd Anderson, Jamie USA Salomon, Billabong, Grenade
3rd Beaman, Hanna USA Amped, Vans, Smiths

Press:
manamediagroup – Dani Kiwi Meier CEO TTR / Drew Stevenson
Email: kiwi@manamediagroup.com Email: drew@ttrworldtour.com
Skype name: danikiwimeier Skype name: goatontherun

Last june in Praha, Czek Repubblic, delegates from WSF member nations joined the annual WSF General Assembly. Here is a shot story about what was decided during the meeting and main news for the incoming season.

Highlights from WSF Gerenal Assembly 2006

Last June in Praha (Cezk Republic), the World Snowboard Federation ran its 3rd General Assembly. Many things happened in the last 3 seasons, and finally the WSF present now a solid program with many national associations involved in the development of the independent snowboarding thanks to a network of international projects and events.

To follow is a short report of the main features of the WSF GA06. For further details you can check the official web site www.worldsnowboardfederation.org (on line from the end of september).

After the GA, it was evident that a lot of energy by the WSF has been – and will continue to be – dedicated to the roots of snowboarding, namely rookies and amateurs. A connection with the “pro level” is done thanks to the co-operation with the TTR World Snowboard Tour though the inclusion of WSF results into the TTR World Tour Rankings. Drew Stevenson, CEO of the TTR Society, was present to help the development of this “co-operation process” in the best possible way.

Drew Stevenson @ WSF ga

One of the main benefits for co-operation with TTR is the “TTR World Ranking System” based on the “Star Tiering System” in which the competitions have a “Star value” from 1(One) star for the small regional competition, to 6(Six) Star’s for huge international events. Most of the WSF events will be 1(One) and 2(Two) Star events, organized by one of the 28 WSF National Snowboard Associations.

Gunnar Tveit – Dagfrid Forberg – Randy Mertl

The TTR World Tour Raking List was introduced successfully during the 0506 season and will be improved upon each year. For the coming season we expect good results and the development of a solid base to get national rankings included in the TTR World Rakings. Every rider that completes an event from 1(One) to 6(Six) star will get points registered on the TTR World Rakings which are related to his result and Star level of the event. The majority of WSF competitions will be included in this World Ranking System.

One important news concerning the WSF management is the new press office service and web site at www.worldsnowboardfederation.org, that will operate from the beginning of September 2006 onwards.

Fred & Karen Mertl – Marco Sampaoli & Fred Mertl

The WSF announced during the GA a variety of new activities for the coming season. Here follow some of them while for the complete update of WSF project you can check the WSF web site www.worldsnowboardfederation.org (actually under construction).

– Introduction of a women’s category and age groups into the world ranking.
– A lot of assistance for the event organizer that include their competition in the WSF calendar at 1(one) and 2(two) star levels. Assistance includes press office service, news on the WSF web site, points for the TTR World Rankings and possibility to use prize money and technical staff for the competition of 1(one) and 2(two) star levels. Much information about the ranking system will be available soon.
– WSF Headquarters will be in Norway (for General Secretary, Rankings Management and International Projects Development), in Japan (Administration and Financial Supervision), Italy (Press Office and Web Site), Russia (Sponsor Research) and Czech Republic (Legal Address).
– The WSF World Rookie Tour 2007 was announced with international competitions in Italy, Korea, USA, world finals in Austria and a summer jam to be defined. Every event will create a continental rookie title, with a final in Austria securing the World Rookie Champion.
– Every national association can organize a “National Rookie Fest” to select the national team and promote the rookie development.
– New international projects for female snowboard development are proposed by the Norwegian Snowboard Association (one of the most established in the world).
– New Board of Directors for 2006-2008:
.:. President: Gunnar Tveiv (Norway),
.:. Vice President: Alexey Stetensko (Russia),
.:. Board of Directors: Freddog Mertl (USA), Shinzo Tanuma (Japan), Francoise Olivier (France), Marco Sampaoli (Italy)
.:.Controlling Committee: Dagfrid Forberg (Norway), Randy Mertl (USA), Ishi (Japan)

WSF ga

From what we have seen, WSF is focusing a lot of energy on new projects and the development of independent snowboarding events, on rookies and amateurs and the cooperation with the TTR Society and its TTR World Snowboard Tour. All this will offer to the national association a lot of idea and support to improve their own national movement and start international projects.

txt&pics: Marco Sampaoli

Soelden Glacier in Austria, hosted the first WRF Finals. Here is the story of this incredible competition.

The WSF World Rookie Tour 2006 ends with the summer final event in Soelden, Austria, to assign the title of “World Rookie Champion”, and many tickets for TTR pro events (1 for the rookie session of the Air&Style 2006, 3 for the Billabong World Pro Junior and 2 for the Pinky Jam). But the Rookie Fests are not “just” competitions! Fun and ride, meet new friends from all the world, extra activities for having fun or learn something new about snowboarding.

After the others WRF06 in Italy and Japan, 40 riders from 14 national team, arrived in Tirol with coaches and media to join this new event organized by the New Austrian Snowboard Association (N.ASA) and the italian Snowboard League (SL). The program of the WRF Finals combine a very high level competition in 3 days (training, quali and final for the best 16 riders) with many extra activities like avalanche clinics, social dinners, parties and skate session.

On 28th june, the team arrived and enter the first riders meeting to know all details about the event and the slope. Some of the most talented rookie of the world travel to the WRF to compete for the huge prizes! USA Champions in slope style (Bobby Witty) and Half Pipe (Trestein Sweigard), the itailan hero and olimpic rider Manuel Pietropoli, the japanese Ryo Kunisato, the super talented swiss Christian Haller, Wunter De Lange from Belgium, the finnish Petja Piroinen, norwegian Stian Sivertzen and the local riders Roland Scharmer are the favorites of all.

After the first day of training in a stormy and rainy day, Marco from SL explained to all riders and coaches the program of the event and annunce the last minute news about the Billabongs’ tickets. Then all the rookies take part at the avalanche clinics arranged by the N.ASA, to learn how to deal with the freeride trip and understand better the hazzard of the mountain experience. Late evening was arranged a social dinner to have some chill out all togheter before the qualifications.

On friday 30th june finally the show case started with the qualifications! About 2 hours of jam session on a jump line (2 table top, one huge corner jump and a final wall ride) and a rail line. In a real positive situation, the rookie express how high was their level with very good rotations on the tables and super high jumps on the corner. Unfortunatly the japanese Ryo was lightly injured after the hugest jump of the event (about 6m out of the corner) but no one else have problems during the entire event. Immediatly after the quali, a nice skate session was arranged by the SL (with the assistence of Ishi from Japan) at the Soelden Skate Park.the rookie rocks also on wheels! Late evening, at dinner, the best 16 riders were nominated. Wunter (Bel) was the best of the day followed by the austrian Michael Freudenthaler (new entry of the WRF) and Petja Piroinen.all the favorites enter the finals and of course there were some more surprise in the ranking like Sam Cullum (Eng) at 5th and Roni Rinatala at 6th.

Final day was sunny, without wind and good snow condition thanx to a cold night in the glacer. The best 16 male and 2 femals are ready from early morning and wait from Jimmi the starter to express their best and compete for the title and the tickets.and this was! A super high level snowboard show case, regardless of the summer condition and many weeks without training.they showed tricks like cab9 and bs libslide, tons of style on the rails, super huge jumps on the corner and very long rocks on the wall (Bobby Witty arrived at 4seconds!). For the entire final was evident to everybody that Christian and Petja were the two competitors for the first position while the battle was open for the 3rd place for many other but Michael Freudenthaler from Austria resulted the best of them.

The ranking were announced after the dinner and gift distribution by Neuro for everybody. Immediatly before the live concert of the I-Shine, Christian Haller was nominated World Rookie Champion and the winner of the ticket for the Air&Style rookie session. The swiss Silvana Backmann resulted the best girl of the event and some gift was assigned also for the best tricks.

WORLD ROOKIE FEST FINALS 2006, SOELDEN, AUSTRIA
OFFICIAL RANKING

RANK-BIB-NAME-NAT-YOB-SPONSOR

BOYS
1 30 Christian Haller SUI BURTON
2 10 Petja Piiroinen FIN 91 FLOW-OAKLEY-BILLABONG
3 32 Michael Freudenthaler AUT 88 SALOMON-BONFIRE
4 20 Wunter De Lange BEL 89 NITRO-ANIMAL
5 17 Roland Scharmer AUT 88 ATOMIC-NIKE ACG-SMITH-BLUE TOMATO
6 31 Manuel Pietropoli ITA BURTON
7 11 Roni Rintala FIN 90 BURTON-DRAGON
8 28 Roman Dlauhy CZK 90 BURTON-VOLCOM
9 3 Ben Kilner UK 90 RIDE-OAKLEY-DC
10 23 Tresten Sweigard USA 91 FORUM-SPECIALBLAND-OUTOFBOUNDS
11 2 Sam Cullum UK 88 RIDE-OAKLEY-DC
12 25 Stian Sivertzen NOR 89 INTERSPORT
13 22 Bobby Witty USA 89 686-ADIDAS-SANTACRUZ-32-PORTERS
14 5 Florian Krummenacher SUI 90 K2-DC
15 26 Christian Ruud Myhre NOR 91 NO SPONSOR
16 15 Hikaru Watanabe JPN 88 NOVEMBERSNOWBOARD
17 6 Thomas France SUI 88 ROSSIGNOL-DC-OAKLEY
18 29 Jan Dolejsi CZK 89 VEHICLE.CO-FLOW-SPY-LEVEL
19 8 Sergey Tarason RUS 88 BURTON
20 24 Thomas Hrnciar SLK 88 RIDE – 32 – ARNETTE – DEMON
21 12 Iikka Eemili Laari FIN 89 BURTON – DRAGON
21 27 Ethan Morgan GER 91 VÖLKL – WESTBEACH – ADIDAS – 32 – NOMIS
23 13 Dimi De Jong NDL 94 NITRO – O`NEILL – REPAIR
24 16 Ryo Kunisato JPN 88 MOSS SNOWBOARD – A7 – FLUX – DEELUXE – DRAGON
25 19 Calle Frassi ITA 91 M6 – APO – 32 – SPLIT
26 18 Pier Frassi ITA 89 F2 – DELUXE
27 7 Johannes Handle AUT 93 F2
28 9 Simon Pircher AUT 91 VÖLKL – VOLCOM – DELUXE – REDBULL – ADIDAS
28 14 Akito Sada JPN 89 UNITY
30 21 Yannick Sleeckx BEL 90 CAPITA – UNION_BINDINGS – SPY – PROTEST – 32
31 4 Collin Frei SUI 88 K2 – QUIKSILVER
32 34 Andy Rives UK 91 BURTON – RED – ANON

GIRLS
1 59 Silvana Bachmann SUI 88 SEED
2 60 Rebecca Cullum UK 90 NIKE ACG/ ATOMIC

SPECIAL PRIZES
BEST JUMP: Christian Haller SUI CAB9
BEST RAIL: Christian Haller SUI BS LIBSLIDE
BEST WALL RIDE: Bobby Witty USA ROCK TO FAKIE 4″
HIGHEST AIR: Ryo Kunisato JPN 6m

PRIZES
BOYS
1 “WORLD ROOKIE CHAMPION” TITLE, TICKET FOR A&S06 ROOKIE SESSION, TICKET FOR BILLABONG WORLD PRO JUNIOR 07
2 TICKET FOR BILLABONG WORLD PRO JUNIOR 07
3 TICKET FOR BILLABONG WORLD PRO JUNIOR 07

GIRLS
1 TICKET FOR THE PINKY JAM 2007, ITALY
2 TICKET FOR THE PINKY JAM 2007, ITALY

After the World Rookie Fest in Asia and Italy, some WSF Rookie were admitted at one of the most famous and respected snowboard competition of the world: the Artic Challange, Oslo (Norwa) organized by Terje Haakonsen.

TAC06 Quarter Pipe

Manuel and Ruiki in action

Ruiki Masuda and Rikuya Narita from Japan, Manuel Pietropoli from Italy, Ulrik Badertscher from Norway and Christian Haller from Switzerland joined the TAC06 after competiting in world rookie fests 2005 and 2006. They had fun and join an international competition with many snowboard stars present, progressing their level of riding and introducing themselves in the professional world of snowboarding.

Manuel at Kronsberg Session

TAC 2006 edition was arranged in Oslo, Norway, and consist of a huge quarter pipe competition at the ski jump stadium Holmelkollen, followed by a freeride trip reserved to the best riders of the event. During the event were arranged also a free day of riding in the resort of Konsberg and a very nice urban photo contest in Oslo.

Manuel and Ruiki during the photo contest

Unfortunatly Manuel was injured in the training day. The other compete in the city photo contest and in the quarter pipe, expressing their riding level togheter with the pros.

WSF Rookies

Txt: Marco SampaoliPics: Marco Sampaoli and Gianluca “Jimmi” Zanetti

Terje Haakonsen, organizer of the Arctic Challange

From 7 to 10 january 2006, the Snowboard League organized the european edition of the WSF World Rookie Fest, a world tour (Japan, Italy, USA and a final in Austria to be defined) for riders from 1988 and up. Every WRF06 counts as qualifing event for the Arctic Challenge by Terje Haakonsen. The WRF in Livigno, totally dominated by norwagian team, with 40 extraordinary riders from 11 country, a spectacular snow park, lots of extra activities and a very good organization, was the best edition of all ever.

7 january. Arrival Day and Opening Contest
The WRF started with a little regional contest in the “medium” snowpark of Livigno with 15 riders from 5 country. Easy contest winned by Bobby Witty (USA) while Britte Van Der Pow was the best woman after one hour of jam session.

Rank SL Rookie Tour . 7 january . Livigno
Boys
1st Bobby Witty (USA)
2nd Tresten Swigard (USA)
3rd Sam Cullum (UK)
4th Thomas Eschwaller (Italia)
5th Pier Frassì (Italia)
6th James KcElvany (UK)
7th Maarten Van der Pow (NL)
Girls
1st Britte Van Der Pow (NL)
2nd Denise Balza (ITA)
3rd Caroline Frassì (ITA)

For the entire day the others rookie teams enter in Livigno while the firsts arrived could enjoy the “snow mini half pipe” owned by Kikko Ciapponi (presenter of the event and nice italian pro). At the first riders meeting in the evenig, the positive vibration of the rookie event were around us. Fortunatly the meteo was supposed good for the 3 days…everything sounds good.

8 january. WRF Training
In early morning all the WRF crew went up at the spectacular Mottolino “pro” snowpark: on the start a car, then a straigh rail 7m long or a rainbow one, after follow the huge table top with 3 kickers (22,15 and 10m) followed by a double step up (15 and 12m). On the finish line a “wave” rail 8m long. During the 3 hours of training, the rookies tried the slope style and all the present focus how high was the level of riding: staff, media, coachs and people around were incredibly impressed for the level of the rookies! Of course, some of them was extraordinary …but the avarege level was really high…Rookie Rulez!

The 5 norwegian were incredible and soon some of them became the favorits of the event: Badertscher Ulrik , Aanestad Stian and Sivertzen Stian. Very good training from the swiss captain Cristian Haller, like the Czeck rider Dlahy Roman (which will be the youngest finalist). An other very good riders was Bobby Witty, USA junior champ in half pipe and slope style…not less from the austrians Felix Wander and Sharmer Roland. Good surprise from the belgium team too, arrived with 6 rookies of which De Lange Wonter and Sleeckx Yannik seemed the bests. For Holland Maarten Van Der Putten and Britte Van Der Pouw get a lot of good tricks like the russian Sir Sergey Lapushkin (he get 36 hours of travel alone to join the WRF). Quite interesting the italians, english and pollish even if they need something more to compete with the others.

In the evening there was a Arva /Pinps simulation with training on freeride security and avalache procedure. Later, at the riders meeting, there was a short expanation on the point system of the slope style while there was a video review with the film footage of the morning training.

9 january. WRF Slope Style
Everything is ready for one of the most interesting junior event of the season. Photografers, filmer, coach,s judges, staff and, above all, the 40 rookies were waiting for the start. Another hour of training before the 2 qualifing runs to select the 16 riders for the finals in jam session format. Riders were incredibly positive and everybody smile for the entire day… positive vibrations is what the WRF want to give… and that was.

Qualify runs were quick and the best 16 riders selected soon: all the norwegians enter the finals with their huge rotations and solid rails. Very good performance even from belgium riders (4 on 6 in the finals). Bobby Witty (USA) is 3rd in qualifing and the austrians are very good too entering the finals in 2. Maarten Van der Putten (Nederland) enter the finals like the russian Sir Sergey (check individual rank for more details).

During the finals nothing changes in the attitude of the rookies, everybody was happy and getting a nice riding in Livigno with some friends …but the level incresed sensibly…in the hour of jam session there were a lot of excellent tricks: lots stylish rails and very good jumps like sw900, Rodeo7, 720crk and huge bs1080 by Ulrik. Great level. WRF crew, people and media receive an important vision on the future of snowboarding.

Ulrick Badertscher (Norway) was absolutely the best rider of the WRF06 winning a ticket to TAC06 while Britte Van der Pouw (Nederland) was the best woman… but the WRF went above the ranks, giving everybody a positive and memorable experience…again: Rookie Rulez!!!

After the competition, last appointment was at the closing party with the video footage of the finals. Everybody was happy and remember for a log the great time at the WRF06 in Livigno.

From the WRF it’s all folks…of course, until next edition!

WSF World Rookie Fest by SL, Livigno 7-10 genn 06
Individual Rank

RANK	BIB	SURNAME	NAME	YEAR OF BIRTH	NATION	BEST QUAL.	BEST FINAL
1	22	Badertscher	Ulrik	88	NOR	24,9	26
2	32	Haller	Cristian	89	SUI	17,4	25,1
3	26	Aanestad	Stian	89	NOR	18,7	21,3
4	4	Witty	Bobby	89	USA	22,3	20,7
4	25	Sivertzen	Stian	89	NOR	15,7	20,7
6	12	De Lange	Wonter	89	BEL	18,2	19,6
7	23	Krohn	Sebastian	88	NOR	20,4	19,5
8	14	Sleeckx	Yannick	90	BEL	15,9	19,4
9	24	Truls Handstand	Berg	88	NOR	22,5	19,1
10	3	Lapushkin	Segery	89	Russia	17,5	19
11	11	Wander	Felix	88	AUT	21	18,8
12	6	Van der Putten	Maarten	88	NL	18	18,6
13	17	Reynders	Christophe	89	BEL	17,7	16,9
14	21	Dlahy	Roman	91	CZ	15,8	14,3
15	15	Smits	Seppe	90	BEL	21,1	14,2
16	9	Scharmer	Roland	88	AUT	20	7,6
17	13	Bronkaers	Kevin	90	BEL	15,6
18	16	Smits	Antony		BEL	14,7
19	28	Cullum	Sam	88	UK	13,7
20	7	Massar	Sjors	88	NL	13,5
21	5	Sweigard	Tresten	91	USA	12,5
21	33	Faffenarcht	Fabian	89	SUI	12,5
23	18	Dytkowski	Jakub	88	POL	12
24	34	Krummenazart	Florian	90	SUI	11,8
25	35	Buzzoni	Lorenzo	88	ITA	9,7
26	10	Pribik	Thomas	89	AUT	9
27	41	Frassì	Pier	92	ITA	8,2
28	40	Frassì	Calle	92	ITA	7,2
29	8	Van Der Pouw	Britte	90	NL	7,1
30	29	McElvaney	James	89	UK	7
31	42	Frassì	Caroline	86	ITA	6,3
32	36	Ferrari	Jacopo	88	ITA	5,9
33	39	Sirtori	Carlo	90	ITA	5,7
34	20	Selek	Piotr	89	POL	5,2
35	37	Balza	Denise	88	ITA	4,4
36	19	Szkaradek	Jakub	90	POL	3,6
37	27	Leith	Angus	88	UK

WSF World Rookie Fest by SL, Livigno 7-10 genn 06
Team Rank

RANK	NATION
1	NORWAY
2	BELGIUM
3	SWITZERLAND
4	AUSTRIA
5	NEDERLAND
6	USA
7	ITALY
8	UK
9	POLAND
10	RUSSIA
11	CZEK REPUBLIK

For free download of pics, video, interview and extra content about the world rookie fest 06 in Livigno, check the official home page www.snowboardleague.com

Txt: Marco Sampaoli
Pics: Luca “Ciccio” Borghetti and Nicola Carignani

NOTES FOR PRESS USE OF THIS REPORT:

With these report I try to express a complete vision of what the WSF World Rookie Fest 06 was, hoping to transmit the feelings of the riders and crew involved, and explaining what happend in Livigno above the trick and the tecnical details. We trust in the concept of Rookie Fest as a link beetewn amateur/rookie and pros and hope to develope this idea more and more.

Feel free to make any use of these report, using just a part of it or focusing the attention just on what you consider interesting.

Attacched with this report you can find some images…if you need more check www.snowboardleague.com and feel free to use any photo on the web site.

If you need high quality photos for a magazine contact me at marcosampaoli@libero.it . Check on www.snowboardleague.com wich photo do you need and send me the request with the name/number of the selected photos. If you check pics of a specific riders, send me the name. I will send the requested photo to you asap by email.

If you want some video footage of the event contact me by mail.

IMPORTANT
.:. If you use the article for the web, please send me the link of the page.
.:. If you use the article for a magazine, please inform me and, if possible, send me a copy (Ing. Marco Sampaoli, Via Donizzetti 18, 40069 Zola Predosa (BO), Italy).

in snowboard we trust

Marco Sampaoli
WSF Board of Directors and Livigno WRF Director

World Rookie Fest 2006 touched Asia in the TokyoDome, Japan.Few hours before the huge TTR event Nissan X-Trail, a Rookie Jam was organized by the Japan Snowboarding Association(JSBA) on 9th december 2005.

The snowboard structure inside the TokyoDome

On 9th December 2005, in the TokyoDome the best japanese rookie meet and compete for a ticket to the Arctic Challange 2006 (Oslo, Norway) organized by Terje Haakonsen. Few hours later, the Nissan X-Trail started the TTR’s season.

Rookie waiting for their dedicated jam

Rookie Jam was another format event of the wsf World Rookie Tour. Riders came from JSBA’s top ranker in north island Hokkaido, Nagano and Tokyo. IJC licensed judge make special selection rider’s for TAC. It was a very short but hard time for young riders: just 15min of jam session! But the rookie were super motivated thanx to the super prize: 17years old rookie Rikuya Narita finaly win the golden ticket to “dream land TAC”!

Rikuya during his interview for tv

Rikuya win the big chance to go to TAC togheter with the Japanese Crew: Ishi as coach, Ruiki Masuda and him as rookie riders and Taniguchi as photografer and pro rider. Rikuya did 18th at super icy quarter pipe in Olso: It was amazing and, no question at all, it rapresent the best experience for his snowboarding life.

Japanese riders at TAC06, Oslo, Norway.

txt&pics: Ishi