Fun times. Check it out.

The season of Flying Finns – an online series charting a tight crew of Scando radicalists’ season – kicks off with a backyard session at the start of their US trip.

Ville Uotila, Matti Kinnunen, Ilkka-Eemeli Laari and co slay a bad weather backyard session on, then get on the gnarl in an abandoned mine in this first installment of Flying Finns. Ville’s backyard tree plant is off the chain, and as for Matti’s one-footer at the mine… let’s just say the boy Kinnunen is a few tinnies short of a six pack.

When we say ‘slowest’, we don’t mean that it hitches a ride on the Happy Bus, or that the riding is a little backwards, we simply mean what we say – Frames is mainly shot in über-slow, ultra-sharp HD by our Finnish homie Miikka Niemi at Flatlight Films.

Miikaa headed up to Ylläs for a few days last spring, with Petja Piiroinen, Matti Kinnunen, Elias Veijola and Toni Kerkelä in tow along with a couple of filmer buddies and a bunch of fancy cameras. Frames is the result. Check it out, and prepare yourselves for super good cinematography and heavy kicker riding.

Director: Miikka Niemi
Cinematographers: Miikka Niemi, Iisakki Kennilä & Erkki Suokonautio
Editor: Miikka Niemi
Motion Graphics by: James Martin vim-vigor.com
Aerial shot by: Pasi Salminen skyeye.fi

Music:
“Traitors From The Inside”
Words & Music: Petri Nakari
Performed by Viola
Originally by Red Carpet
violamusicclub.com/​

Snowboarding by:
Petja Piiroinen
Matti Kinnunen
Elias Veijola
Toni Kerkelä

Thanks:
Ylläs Ski
Sport Resort Ylläs
Hotel Ylläs Saaga
Mikko Virranniemi
Aki Rundgren
Olli-Pekka Seppälä
Tommi Forsström
Tim Gilbertson
Lauri Ahlgren
Tuukka Konttinen
Ville Kumpulainen
Pasi Salminen
Petrus Koskinen & KBR crew

Hispeed material filmed with
Olympus i-SPEED 3 camera
olympus.fi

flatlightfilms.com
facebook.com/​flatlightfilms

Watch the slow-mo teaser for Frames.

Our buddy Miikka Niemi of Flatlight Films fame (remember the Scrapbook Project and Goodtimes?) reached out and let us know that he’s got a little project in the pipes.

Back in April he hooked up with riders Petja Piiroinen and Matti Kinnunen in Yllas, Finland, and shot a four-day session that he’s editing into a short movie that will drop in September. We’ll be looking out for that one for sure. Check the super slow-mo teaser.

Juha Rautanen.

[All Photos: Antti Ritokallio.]

Tommi Rokolampi (Ruka, Finland) claimed the title at the 2010 Snowboarding Finnish Open in perfect conditions over the weekend at Tahko in eastern Finland. The 19 year old came from virtual obscurity, entering the competition via a wild card to claim victory in a Final.

Destroying the slope style course through out the event Rokolampi won with a double backflip off the big kicker and then into front flip over the step up gap into the jib section. Tommi actually fell on the jib sections but secured the victory with the two big manouvers.

Tommi Rokolampi.

In second came Finnish veteran and the infamous Talma resorts cat driver Juha Rautanen. With his cat obligations finalized for the season after the closing of Talma last weekend, Juha was able to get away for a weekends riding at the Snowboarding Finnish open and walked away with €1,000.00 and a new HD video camera from JVC.

Showing some solid riding through out the event and another rising star from Finland’s elite snowboarding school in Vuokati, Martin Kalliola came in third.

The highlight of the event by far though was the highest air competition, which highlighted just how strong Finnish snowboarding is with riders throwing themselves all out into the giant hip.

Tomi Taskinen.

Finnish snowboard legend Heppu Pentti and Antti-Juhani “Naku” Piirainen, went toe to toe, each trying to out do each other for the highest air title, with Naku sealing the deal with a massive method that saw him virtually clear the whole hip.

Dual world Rookie title holder, Roope Tonteri took a no holds barred approach to the hip sealing the best trick title with a giant double backside rodeo. Other stand outs on the hip where Joel Lahti with a one footed alleyoop and previous Finnish Open winner, Matti Kinnunen with a crazy one footed backside rodeo. With a minimum of six riders all having a double rodeo in their bag of tricks, the hip session gave spectators an unforgettable show for all to remember.

Podium.

The Snowboarding Finnish Open presented by Battery energy drink was supported by Nike 6.0, Tahko resort, Uhko Tahko, JVC, Sherriffi and Aerial 7 Headphones. The Snowboard Finnish Open is Finland’s highest rated Swatch TTR World Tour Event. Hosted in Tahko resort in eastern Finland, the event brings the best riders together to compete in a rider built, rider friendly event with fun in mind.

For more information please see www.snowboardingfinnishopen.com.

Slopestyle Results

1. Tommi Rokolampi
2. Juha Rautanen
3. Martin Kalliola
4. Joel Lahti
5. Tomi Taskinen
6. Roope Tonteri
7. Heppu Pentti
8. Kosuke Hosokawa
9. Petja Piiroinen
10. Aleksi Kumpulainen
11. Arttu Pulkkinen
12. Sami Luhtanen

Highest Air:
Antti-Juhani Piirainen
Best trick:
Roope Tonteri
Best rookie:
Sami Luhtanen
Special move:
Matti Kinnunen

Ruka, Finland
April 29th to May 1st 2010

It’s only a week to the legendary Finnish snowboard-happening Wappulounas. The season wrap-up is ready for the riders, and the schedule is now published.

The competition will be held on Hip Sessions, Battery BagJump; D.O.N.K.E.Y., and Rip Curl Knockout Jam. As usual, it will be kept as a secret what they include, but sick obstacles are guaranteed. The competition will be fun yet tough as winner of the overall goes to Bali with A Senne surf camp and a brand new Rip Curl surfboard. To Ruka are coming such familiar names as Peetu Piiroinen, Antti Autti, Matti Kinnunen, Miikka Hast, Markku Koski and many others so it will a party to remember!

Wappulounas is the oldest snowboarding event in Finland with a history nof more than ten years of closing season with partying. It started as a small get-together party, and now it’s at Ruka with hundreds of riders, including nearly every Finnish professional rider.

If you like snowboarding and beer, get yourself here.

For more information and the whole schedule go to: www.wappulounas.com

Where: Flachauwinkl, Austria

The Absolut Park is usually reason enough to make the drive (or flight) to the resort of Flachauwinkl/Austria. Nonetheless, the Absolut Park crew came up with the annual “Spring in the Park” event that pretty much works like a shred magnet. And here’s why:

For the eighth time international snowboard pros like Ville Uotila, Matti Kinnunen, Ludwik Lejkner, Seppe Smiths, Kevin Backström, Absolut Park rider Marc Swoboda and Air & Style youngster Werni Stock will get together and enjoy the unique spring feeling in the resort of Flachauwinkl. Also part of this 4Star TTR contest: Absolut Park´s local heroes Herby Thaler, Flo Mauser, Michi `Stani` Stanschitz and Phips Gruber.

High level snowboarding combined with spring-like temperatures will create a unique atmosphere for both riders and crowd. Head shaper Seppi Harml and his motivated crew have once again spent countless hours building an extraordinary end section and a perfect set up. The Spring Battle is a real challenge for shredding cowboys. No other TTR contest offers promising amateurs the chance to compete against the pros: through events like the Pop ‚n’ Drop and other Austrian contests, these young talents had the chance to earn their ticket for the Spring Battle 2010.

Coming to Flachauwinkl will be worth it: 20.000 US dollar prize money is waiting for the cowboys and guaranteeing a first-class contest.

Friday evening will be all about the legendary Big Spring Break Party in Ema’s Pub in downtown Flachau with Mortal Kombat Sound making riders and fans shake their hips to the finest reggae and dancehall beats… Don’t forget your dancing boots!!!

More information on the park’s website: www.absolutpark.com

Matti Kinnunen nosepresses across Slovakian waters. Click in below for bigger. Photo: Sami Tuoriniemi.

Another dose of bangers to ring in the end of the week.

Talk is cheap so click in below for some 1s and 0s that will have you pumped to ride this weekend.

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

Matti Kinnunen channels the spirit of Mike Vallely. Flatland handplant. Jasna, Slovakia. Photo: Sami Tuoriniemi.

More killer action for your eyeholes.

The Photoblast has been on holiday. It has been on a beach drinking margaritas, getting tan and hooking up with underwear models and is now refreshed. It is back. Enjoy.