From the 28th to the 30th of March, The Andorran resort of Grandvalira gets ready to host this year’s Edition of the Total Fight

March is a great month in the Andorran calendar, long bluebird days followed by Southern Europe’s most anticipated snowboard event, the Grandvalira Total Fight masters of Freestyle, the competition to polish off the end of the season in style.

This year marks a new era in the competition’s already strong history, thanks to a new star on the World Snowboard Tour ranking, making it a 5 star TTR event and effectively converting the Total Fight into one of the most internationally important slopestyle contests.

The World Snowboard Tour, which is part of the TTR Pro Snowboarding organisation, is currently the most internationally recognised circuit, with events in Europe, South and North America, Asia and Oceania. The TTR Pro Snowboarding philosophy was founded on the principle that snowboarding needed it’s very own high standard of quality, authenticity and innovation, fundamental values that the Total Fight organisation shares full heartedly.

As this is a year of change, the prize Money has increased considerably, with 15.000 € going to the winner, 10.000 € for second place and 5.000 € for the third place, with a total of 38. 000 € being shared between the first 15 winners.

The ninth edition of the Total Fight will once again take place in the El Tarter snowpark with some of the world’s best riders putting their skills on display. The final list of riders will be published in a couple of weeks time, along with a description of the slopestyle.

In last year’s edition, Nuuti Niemela won alter a spectacular run which included a FS Lipslide on the rail, a 50 to 180 on the San Miguel can, a stylish Cab 9 Stalefish on the first kicker, a FS 10 on the second kicker and a BS Double Cork 12 on the final kicker. He has already confirmed his attendance to this year’s edition with the hopes to hold on to his crown.

As always, the Andorran resort will provide some impressive Entertainment in the shape of the Electrosnow festival, which this year promises to wow the crowds with the presence of Miss Kittin & The Hacker and the well-known Detroit DJ Carl Craig.

The Grandvalira Total Fight is sponsored by the Andorran Government, San Miguel, Burton and Buff.

For more information visit: www.grandvalira.com

Nuutti soars into first place.

The latest edition of the Total Fight Masters of Freestyle took over the Andorran resort of Grandvalira once more, and under epic bluebird skies Finnish rider Nuutti Niemelä bagged the win.

Spring sessions always rule, and the Burton & San Miguel Total Fight Masters of Freestyle held in the Andorran resort of Grandvalira was no exception this year, offering the highest quality of riding, burning sunshine, fresh snow and a cheering crowd to keep spirits high.

Kim Rune Hansen

The Coliflor Freestyle shapers spent the previous week carving magic into the slopestyle’s five modules, starting with a 10 metre long rail followed by an impressive San Miguel lookalike 2 metres by 4,5 metres “can” and polished off by 3 massive crowd pleaser kickers.

Big tricks ruled the day, with only 16 riders out of the original 31 qualifying through to the second round. The Norwegian Team Burton rider Kim Rune Hansen, who recently came second in the WSC Quaterpipe, dominated the first round with a Switch FS Slide on the first rail, followed by a Switch 50 to BS 180 Out on the San Miguel “can” and neatly polished off with a perfect FS 7 Melon on the first kicker, a super stylish BS 5 Mute on the second and a Switch FS 9 on the last.

The setup. Not too shabby.

To go through to the next round, each rider was paired against another, with only one rider per pair making it through. The pairings were as follows: Kim Rune Hansen against Spaniard Carles Turner, Finnish rider Valtteri Paunonen against the Norwegian Joachim Krogstie, Finn Hanri Lakkonen against the Argentinean Santi Gamen (who actually hurt himself and chose to be paired against the Spaniard Albert Piñol), Finnish rider Ville Paumola against the Spaniard Isaac Vergés, German rider Patrick Cinca against the Argentinean Facundo Vial, Finn Roni Rintale against the Argentinean rider Nico Fuentes, Finnish rider Ville Uotila against the Argentinean rider Mattias Schmitt and finally the Finnish rider Nuuti Niemela was paired against his fellow countryman Tommi Rokolampi.

After an intense battle on the slopes only 8 riders were left to compete for the finals, with Kim Rune Hansen seeming to lead the pack with a Switch FS Slide followed by a 50/50 and a BS 7 Tailgrab, BS Rodeo Mute finished and a Switch BS Melon on the last three kickers. For this round, Hansen was paired against Patrick Cinca, Nuuti Niemela against Ville Uotila, Hanri Lakkonen against Ville Paumola and Valtteri Paunonen was paired against the Argentinean rider and Grandvalira local Nico Fuentes.

Patrick Cinca

Knowing that they had nothing left to lose to get to the finals, the remaining 8 riders pulled out their best tricks, Nuuti Niemela especially surprised everyone with his inspired BS Double Cork on the last kicker, effectively eliminating the undefeated champion of the last few Total Fight’s, Ville Uotila.

The finals of any competition are the real nail biters, and the 2012 Total Fight was no exception, with three Finnish riders, Paumola, Niemela, Paunonen and one German, Cinca, preparing to fight it out on the grounds of the scorching El Tarter Snowpark.

Each rider had three chances to outshine each other, and the crowd wasn’t complaining, but it was finally the Finnish rider Nuuti Niemela who stole the day with a spectacular FS Lipslide on the rail, followed by a 50 to 180 out on the San Miguel “can”, a Cab 9 Stalefish on the first kicker, an FS 10 on the second and a BS Doble Cork 12 on the last kicker. There was simply no doubt, Nuuti Niemela is 2012’s new king of the Total Fight Masters of Freestyle.

Podium

Nuuti Niemela, one of the top 8 world slopestyle riders told us: “I love this event, it’s one of my favourites. I’m so stoked with my round, the Slopestyle was so good and you had to get lots of speed to do good tricks. I’m really happy to be here”. Ville Paumola placed second, followed by Patrick Cinca and Valtteri Paunonen in fourth position.

For this edition of the Total Fight, the riders split 14.000 Euros between them, 7000 for the first, 4000 for the second, 2000 for the third and 1000 for the fourth. The party, of course, went off with the Total Fight Night Jibbing and the San Miguel Night Music – Flaix FM party, with the amazing Crappy Tuesdays Dj’s ripping it up.

www.totalfightmasters.com

In it’s 6th year, Grandvalira’s Spring freestyle treat, the Total Fight masters of Freestyle, is back for another whirlwind 4 days of the top snowboarding, sun and music in the small principality of Andorra, in the heart of the Pyrenees. Held in one of the most well known snowparks in Southern Europe, this year promises, once again, to be a sight for sore eyes.

The Total Fight is an international competition for invited riders from all over the world. This year, several major snowboarding names have already confirmed their presence, including:

Ville Uotila (Finland), Ulrik Baderstcher (Norway), Joachim Krogstie (Norway), Nuuti Niemela (Finland), Blayze Bramwell (Sweden), Jaakko Ruha (Finland), Michi Sanschitz (Austria), Victor Delerrue (France), Matti Kinunen (Finland), Janne Lipsanen (Finland), Miguel Moreno (Spain), Nico Fuentes (Argentina), Matías Radaelli (Argentina). As well as various members of the Burton international team, ready to give it all to win this year’s Total Fight.

The top class slopestyle will consist of 2 varying lines with a combination of rails and kickers for riders to pick the best line to show off their skills. It’s important for each rider to pick an original and challenging line to shine and therefore push their opponent out of the competition.

Line 1, the Big Jump:

The premium big air line is the hardest line with a 20 metre Big Jump, followed by a very technical 18-metre transfer and polished off by a rail.

Line 2, the central line:

The central line is both spectacular and technical, combining big jumps with jibbing

The line starts at the level of the half pipe, although the latter won’t be visible since the shapers will be filling it with snow for the competition and it will instead become a spectacular gap to box. Next on the line is a stunner of a kicker, all of 16 metres, but it doesn’t quite do justice to the all imposing kicker that follows it, a monster that kicks the rider up into the air and allows them to pull their best tricks. This impressive run is finished by another 16-metre kicker and finally a gnarly, technical rail.

The snowboarding competition will start on Saturday the 26th; Training will take place from 10:30h till 11:30h and the expression session part of the slopestyle, from which riders will be selected for the grand final, will take place from 12h until 14h. The grand final will start at 14:30h and go on until 16:30h, by which point the winner will have made himself known. Prize giving starts at 16:30h.

As well as the Swatch TTR points that the riders will accumulate in the competition, the winners will share 18.000 € worth of prize money.

This year’s programme for the 2011 Total Fight Masters of Freestyle:

Programme:
Friday 25^th of March: Snowboarding classificatory
- 11h00 a to 13h00 Snowboarding classificatory
- 21h00 Total Fight party in Nemo’s

Saturday 26th of March:

- 10h30 a 11h30 Snowboard training
- 12h00 a 14h00 Expression Session Snowboarding
- 14h30 a 16h30 Total Fight Snowboarding
- 16h30 Prize giving
- 17h00 a 19h00 Red Bull sponsored demonstration by BMX flatland champion Vicky Gomez followed by an acrobatic parapont demonstration

- 19h00 a 21h00 Night Jibbing Total Fight Snowboarding
- 21h00 a 01h00 San Miguel Night Music Total Fight: The Pinker Tones, The Right Ons and Crappy Tuesday

More info on:

http://www.totalfightmasters.com

Les 2 Alpes will see Coliflor and Protest join forces again this summer for their annual snowboard camp.

Since 2004, Coliflor Freestyle and Protest have worked together in Les 2 Alpes glacier to bring you their summer snowboard camps. Coliflor Freestyle is an experienced snowboard company that shapes and teaches freestyle in the renowned snowpark of El Tarter (Andorra), location of events as the famous TTR’s 4 stars, Grandvalira Total Fight.

The Protest Summer Camps are a new experience for the rider who wants to progress, since in the Protest Coliflor Freestyle Camps the rider learns freestyle technique from low to advanced levels with the scene’s best athletes. Kickers, Jibbing, halfpipe, personal technique… you can learn step by step to the maximum level.

For the accomodation you will be in the Protest Coliflor House, a unique place where you would enjoy the snowboard experience in the purest form. Afternoons and nights are a world apart since you can chill or go skating, Downhill MTB, trekking… or enjoy the outstanding party of Les 2 Alpes

Come and enjoy riding!

RATES:

1 person: 550 euros
2-3 persons: 450 euros
4 persons or more: 360 euros

Included: Freestyle camp 6 days/40 hours, reduced groups, video correction, talks about material and theory, boardtest 2011, elastic bed, official T Shirt, six nights in the Protest Coliflor House (or apartment).

2010 CALENDAR

From June 27th until July 2nd
From July 4th until July 9th
From July 11th until July 16th
From July 18th until July 23rd
From July 25th until July 30th
From August 1st until August 6
From August 8th until August 13th
From August 15th until August 20th
From August 22nd until August 27th

MORE INFO:
www.coliflorfreestyle.com
info@coliflorfreestyle.com
Phone: 00 34 648 756 501

Ulrik Badertscher. All photos: Mario Rubio.

Finnish rider Ville Uotila is once again the deserving winner of the sixth edition of the Grandvalira Total Fight Masters of Freestyle 2010 that was marked by the highest level of riding the competition has ever seen.

Once again the heat was on in the El Tarter snowpark for the 6th edition of the now legendary Grandvalira Total Fight Masters of Freestyle. Under bright blue skies, Finnish rider Ville Uotila pulled off his fantastic victory with a Switch backside double Cork 12 in his last round in the big air line, making him this year’s master of the fight. As overall winner of the competition, Uotila goes home with 4 SWATCH TTR stars putting him into 17th position on the world tour circuit. Over the course of two days, some of the most important international riders, including a bevy of Scandinavians, dominated the slopestyle with an astounding display of their skills on a snowboard.

Ville Uotila.

Locals and snowboard fanatics gathered together to cheer on the athletes coming from near and far, including countries such as Finland, Spain, Andorra, France, Sweden and Austria. Enric Bonvehi, head of the Coliflor team of shapers and organiser of the event, said he was stoked with the level of riding, the enthusiasm of the crowds who came to support the athletes and the good atmosphere that reigned during the event. Uotila was accompanied on the podium by Ulrik Badertscher in second place, Victor De Le Rue in third place and Kim Rune Hansen in fourth place.

Victor De Dle Rue.

Being an end of season competition, the Grandvalira Total Fight Masters of freestyle generally enjoys wonderful weather, and this year was no exception, spring was clearly in the air today as the sun shone down on the El Tarter snowpark bringing with it the occasional sunburn. The good mood that reigned during the event was heightened by the awesome level of riding throughout the day; the crowd couldn’t help but feel utterly engrossed by each rider’s line, and the shouts, whistles and cheers were testimony to the good atmosphere that prevailed all day.

In the last few weeks, the Coliflor team of shapers have been working day and night to create the most spectacular lines the El Tarter park has ever seen. For this year’s competition, Riders had a choice of three varied lines; the first line consisted of two jumps followed by a roller and finished by a step up step down kicker which included a box rail. For those true lovers of rails, the second line started with a 20 step rail, followed by two 15 metre jumps and finished off with the step up step down. The third and by far most popular line, started with a 20 metre big air, which gave riders plenty of time and pop to pull off their most impressive tricks. This line was finished by a gap to transfer and the step up step down. Most of the public and riders agreed that the level of riding this year was by far the most impressive, frontside double cork 900’s, backside 900’s, halfcab 540’s, all in a day’s work for the participating athletes.

Kim Rune Hansen.

Ville Uotila described his third victory as amazing but his biggest achievement was pulling off the Switch backside double Cork 12, a trick he’d never tried before and which he landed to perfection, “landing that trick made this Total Fight for me” he said. In fact, Uotila was heading for second place behind fellow Scandinavian Ulrik Badertscher before he decided to try the trick that won the competition. Uotila once again won the hearts of both the judges and the public with his fine riding and big tricks. His first round shone thanks to an ollie to front 360 on the butter box followed by a backside 900 on his second run, accompanied of course by whistles of encouragement from the public.

At this point, however, the competition was still very tight between Badertscher, Delerue and Uotila, with all three riders really going for it and pushing their riding to the highest level. As the competition was nearing it’s conclusion, Uotila confidently approached the Big Air and glided through his Switch backside double Cork 12, landing perfectly and sealing his victory for the third consecutive year. The Atomic rider is ranked 17th on the SWATCH TTR world ranking, and came to Grandvalira after a tenth position in the TTR 6 star Artic Challenge which takes place in Norway. This year, the winners of the Total Fight Masters of Freestyle share a massive total of 25,000 euros between them.

The action didn’t slow down in the afternoon with a flatland demonstration put on by Redbull in which riders showed off their skills on a bike cheered on by the crowd, who enjoyed the afternoon sun to the last. After a little break, the action started up again at 7pm with a night time jib session, a first in the history of the Total Fight. Spectators gathered round in the El Tarter carpark, to watch the snowboarders grind the famous local staircase. Snowboarders were represented by the Argentinean Facu Vial who won the competition with a switch backside lipslide, followed by the Swede Noa Gadelius and the Argentinean Santi Gamen. The evening ended with a dj session by Barcelona’s Nasty Monday’s duo and Crappy Tuesdays, in the tent put up in the El Tarter car park for the occasion. Nasty Monday’s and crappy Tuesday’s have become a firm fixture of the Barcelona night time scene, so it was nice to share the good music altogether for this celebration of the freestyle spirit.

For the first time in the history of the Grandvalira Total Fight Masters of Freestyle, this is an eco friendly event. The message rubbed off on the public who made an effort to throw their rubbish away in the many bins provided and who, moreover, seemed to greatly appreciate the effort made to look after the environment and celebrate the mountains which are so often taken for granted.

Final ranking Total Fight 2010 Snowboard

1. Ville UOTILA, FIN – ATOMIC
2. Ulrik BADERTSCHER-QUIKSILVER
3. Victor DELERUE-RIP CURL
4. Kim RUNE HANSEN-BURTON
5.Janne LIPSNANEN
6. Mati KINUNNEN-AMPLID
7. Blayze BRAMWELL-FORUM
8. Miguel MORENO-SALOMON

Where: Grandvalira, Andorra

So the men’s TTR title race is over and the girls are concentrating on the Roxy Chicken Jam (kicking off tomorrow). But since we love the shred for the shred’s sake there is a lot more going on for us snowboard connoisseurs. For example the Grandvalira Total Fight Masters of Freestyle 2010 this weekend. Apart from having the longest event name ever this Andorran gem is also a TTR 4Star contest and features some dope European riders. TTR you say? Don’t they always come up with those neat press releases? Quite right you are – here you go!

Ville Uotila doing it the Andorran way

One of the last 4Star events on the Swatch TTR Tour the Grandvalira Total Fight Masters of Freestyle 2010 is about to take over the Grandvalira resort in Andorra from the 25th to the 28th of March. In true southern spirit it is an event with a relaxed and chilled atmosphere, where the sun is always out, the tunes are always pumping and people smiling. It has as usual gathered a top riders list full of snowboarders hungry for some of the TTR ranking points to set themselves up for next season, as well as, a piece of the prize purse of 25 000 Euro. The Grandvalira Total Fight will convert Andorra into the Mecca of freestyle during four days and include nocturnal events, audiovisual treats, music and entertainment.

Seppe Smits' Total Fight

European Top Riders Are In for Some Sun and Fun In Andorra
This year there are many familiar faces from the TTR Top 50 on the riders list set to appear at the El Tarter snowpark and they are all looking to improve on their TTR ranking, which will leave them with a higher end-of-season bonus point to carry over to the 2010/2011 TTR season. For example last years winner and current Swatch TTR World No. 17 Ville Uotila (FIN) is making his way back to defend his title, but he will have to battle it out against World No.18 Kevin Backström (SWE) and TTR newcomer Matti Kinnunen (FIN) who currently sits in World No. 38. Other riders he will have to watch out for are Jaakko Ruha (FIN), Victor De La Rue (FRA), Kim Rune Hansen (NOR) and Ulrik Badertscher (NOR) who recently took 2nd place at the 6Star Burton US Open Slopestyle. On site will of course be a solid line up of local Spanish riders such a Mati Radelli, Dani Sastre and Miguel Moreno who are all prepared to put on their best show.

Another Eco Friendly On The Swatch TTR Tour
This year the Grandvalira Total Fight is an Eco Friendly Event, which means that its a competition that transmits a message to all the riders and spectators to protect and respect the mountain, so that this can be a great competition with a minor impact on the environment. For more information, news and pictures from Grandvalira check

www.ttrworldtour.com

Iker Fernandez

More fun, more snow and even more excitement for the latest edition of The Grandvalira Total Fight Masters of Freestyle

From the 25th to the 28th of March, the Grandvalira snowpark will, once more, set the scene for a festival of international standard in freestyle snowboarding.

Grandvalira will once again play host to one of the most important snowboarding slopestyle competitions of the year, the Grandvalira Total Fight Masters of Freestyle 2010. The most important Pyrenean freestyle festival is getting warmed up to bring you even more excitement in its sixth edition. For four days, nocturnal events, audiovisual treats, music and entertainment will convert Andorra into the Mecca of freestyle.

From the 25th to the 28th of March, Grandvalira will be a place to call home for some of the best snowboarders in the world coming to compete in this Swatch TTR ranked slopestyle competition. This year we’re expecting an avalanche of Scandinavian riders such as last year’s winner, Atomic’s Ville Uotila, Paal Sorensen and Rip Curl’s Janne Lipsanen as well as Spanish riders like Burton’s Iker Fernandez and Salomon’s Miguel Moreno. More than 80 riders will compete to the highest level in the mythical El Tarter snowpark with the objective of standing on that podium and collecting the very valuable Swatch TTR snowboarding tour points, as well as the more than 25,000 euros worth of prize money. And to guarantee that this is a show not to be missed, the park shapers are working day and night to create the best lines anyone has ever seen in the El Tarter snowpark.

Rudi Kröll

It’s no surprise that this year, the Grandvalira Total Fight is back with the best international freestyle and even more suprises than last year. This year, as well as enjoying the action in the park during the daytime, afternoon’s are packed with things to do, such as the invitational nocturnal jibbing session in the El Tarter car park and the evening “Total Fight music sessions” with Barcelona’s famous Nasty Mondays and crappy Tuesday’s DJs.

Grandvalira Total Fight Masters of Freestyle is one of the most important competitions to take place each year in the Pyrenees, and holds an equal standing in Southern Europe. Day and
night, for four days, spectators and participants will take part in one of the most unforgettable shows on snow.

The Grandvalira Total Fight is an “Eco Friendly Event”, which means that its a competition that transmits a message to all the riders and spectators to protect and respect the mountain, so that this can be a great competition with a minor impact on the environment. For this same reason, recyclable materials will be used for the duration of the competition and more garbage bins will be provided, amongst other measures.

Spectators and riders alike will enjoy every minute of this incredible competition.

Check out the action here:

Read the full report HERE

Ville Uotila (FIN) has won for the second time in a row, the GrandValira Total Fight Title, followed by Pål Sörensen (NOR) and Gerome Matthieu (FRA).

Ville won with an impressive run with a switch BS 900, FS 540 and a huge switch BS 700. He then went on to meet his fellow countryman, Janne Lipsanen (FIN) who laid down a smooth BS 540 but bailed on his second jump trying a BS 900. Ville’s response to this was a huge switch BS 900, FS 540 and a gigantic switch BS 180, earning him top scores and sealing his second Total Fight victory. Second place went to 21 year old Pål Sörensen (NOR) whose run in the second round included an solid Cab 900 and FS 540 which moved him up to World No.52.

Grandvalira’s-El Tarter snowpark gathered an impressive audience of locals who supported and cheered the international selection of riders from Finland, Norway, Andorra, Austria, Germany, France and Russia. This years snowboarding has been described by organiser Enric Bonvehi as the highest level and most technical snowboarding ever seen in GrandValira, consolidating Grandvalira Total Fight as the biggest freestyle event in southern Europe.

Riders and audience enjoyed a bright sunshiny day in Andorra during Friday’s qualifiers. Unfortunately, Saturday saw the arrival of a heavy snow-storm, forcing the judges to stop the competition at semifinals. Prizes where then based on results to that point.

The format for the finals was a brutal head to head match-up, or “Total Fight”. Riders had to battle against each other, with the top qualifier taking on the previous qualifier. The riders and event organisers together decided to finish the finals early due to heavy snowfall which was slowing the course down, meaning the winners were decided based on their riding in the second round.

Vile Uotila was one of the favourites as he had already won last years edition of Total Fight. Not only did he earn a nice EUR 6000 purse, the TTR points obtained thanks to his victory earned him the 23rd place in the TTR World Tour. All eyes were on Burton’s new big talent Seppe Smits, who unfortunately fell ill and couldn’t match Ville Uotila. In Ville’s words: “Seppe was sick so I got through the first round pretty easy. I had nothing to lose so I just went for it on my next run and it went pretty well. It’s pretty cool to get so many TTR points as it should bump me up in the rankings, I’m thinking now that maybe I should have gone to the US Open and I might have had a chance to beat my last year 13th position”.

Every evening, locals and visitors enjoyed the 5th edition of the Photo and Video Festivals that gathered the best snowboard movie productions. Hits such as Travis Rice’s That’s it that’s all, Absinthe’s Ready or the local crew BQP with their latest movie Stress were shown at Nemo’s, Andorra’s meca of Freestyle parties. Also the best snowboard photographers of Spain including Marc Gasch, Jesús Andres Fernandez and Antxon Epelde presented their best works.

As usual, the party went off on saturday night. The music festival started with the band Freak Selecor who made the croud dance and bang their heads with their oldschool rock’n’roll tunes, their rockstar attitude and loud guitars. Later on, as the locals started to arrive (followers of spanish traditions and times), the Barcelona based crew YALL brought their mad electronic sound and visuals that made everyone dance and sweat till the sun came up.

SNOWBOARD TOP 16:

1. Ville Uotila (FIN)
2. Pål Sörensen (NOR)
3. Mattieu Gerome (FRA)
4. Victor de Le Rue (FRA)
5. Jaakko Ruha (FIN)
6. Rudi Kroell (AUT)
7. Janne Lipsanen (FIN)
8. Joachim Krogstie (NOR)
9. Herby Thaler (AUT)
10. Sami Saarenpää (FIN)
11. Michael Stanschitz (AUT)
12. Sondre Hylland (NOR)
13. Chris Kroell (AUT)
14. Nuutti Niemelä (FIN)
15. Ruben Verges (ESP)
16. Benjamin Mosl (AUT)
16. Seppe Smits (BEL)

From 26th – 28th March, 2009, the El Tarter park in Grandvalira, Andorra, will see some of the world’s big name riders come together to go after a slice of the $25 000 USD prize purse and 500 ranking points.

The upcoming Slopestyle contest is recognized as the jewel of the Swatch TTR Southern European contest circuit and boasts a perfect park shaped by the Coliflor Freestyle Crew. An awesome atmosphere and finely tuned set up has attracted riders from across the globe. Last year’s winner Ville Uotila (FIN) has confirmed his attendance and will be keen to improve on his current World No.22 position. Accompanying him from Finland will be World No.26, Jaakko Ruha, a strong Slopestyle rider who recently placed 4th in the 5Star Nissan X-Trail Asian Open. Aesthetiker rider, Rudi Kroell (AUT) narrowly missed out on first place at last year’s Total Fight Masters Of Freestyle and is making the journey from Austria with a first place finish in his sights.

Snowboard veteran Iker Fernandez

Also in attendance will be Victor De La Rue (FRA), who recently took out the 2Star Poney Session in front of a home crowd in France. He needs to mimic this success to improve on his Swatch TTR World No.70 rank. Another likely contender making the journey is World No.44, Marko Grilc (SLO). He has a chance to break into the TTR Top 40.

Spanish speaking riders are sure to be well supported by the passionate crowds. Lending some South American flavor to the contest will be Facu Vial (ARG) who is travelling all the way from Argentina. The Spanish veteran, Iker Fernandez, is again on the start list. With his Swatch TTR results, banging film parts and Olympic appearances, he is the quintessential snowboarder, and always one to watch out for.

Whilst the season is drawing to a close, there are still numerous 3Star events taking place around the globe. From the 19th – 22nd March, 2009, the Quiksilver Snowjam will give aspiring Czech and Eastern European rippers a chance to get noticed. 26th – 29th, March, 2009 will see a new crop of Norwegian talent go head to head in the Norwegian Championships. Rounding out what is set to be a jam packed time is the Quiksilver Showdown Over the City, which is also going 26th – 28th March, 2009 in Canada. The action just keeps on coming.