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World Rookie Fest – From Rookies to X Games

Tom Copsey — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:45:39 +0000

The World Rookie Fest has been grooming snowboarding’s future stars for global domination for many years now. Guys that are now at the top of the game – like Peetu Piiroinen, Gjermund Braaten and Ståle Sandbech – have announced themselves by winning the WRF as groms and ahead of this season’s World Rookie Finals in Ischgl this edit looks at the impact it had on their careers.

The best rookies from all over the world are landing today in Ischgl, Austria, for the 2013 Volkl World Rookie Finals where the annual World Rookie Champion titles will be awarded. It is a great honor to join this legendary event, where all the rising stars challenge, and if you look at last years results from this event, you will notice that all the past seasons winners, today are among the invited riders at the 2013 Europe X-Games in Tignes.

The Black Yeti visited the 2013 X-Games in Tignes driving his brand new Jeep Wrangler and talked with some of the “past Rookie Fest riders” about the development of their snowboard carrier. Some of them competed in past edition of the World Rookie Fest and now are in the 10 top positions of the TTR World Snowboard Ranking and join world class events.

“If not for the World Rookie Fest I don’t think I would be here” sayed Gjermund Braaten, formed World Rookie Champion in 2006, from the rider lounge at the X-Games in Tignes. “Go to the Rookie Fest, do good, and if you end in the top 3 then you gonna be a star!” ended Gjermund.

These are some of past years World Rookie Champions and winner of the World Rookie Tour events competed at the 2013 Euro X Games:

Peetu Piiroinen (World Rookie Champion 2004)
Christian Haller (World Rookie Champion 2006)
Ulrik Badertscher (winner at the World Rookie Fest in Livigno 2006)
Gjermund Braaten (World Rookie Champion 2008)
Yuki Kadono (2nd place World Rookie Finals 2012)
Staale Sandbech (grom winner at the World Rookie Fest in Livigno 2009)
Seppe Smits (many partecipation at World Rookie Tour events)
Roope Tonteri (2 times World Rookie Champion in 2010 and 2011)
Sarka Pancochova (winner at the World Rookie Fest in Livigno 2008)

Ole Christian Hagen & Valentina Barengo Win 2013 World Rookie Fest in Livigno

Tom Copsey — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:34:07 +0000

A reliable indicator of who’ll be dominating contest shredding in the future, the World Rookie Fest has wrapped up in Livigno. Check the edit and remember these names…

Day 3 at the 2013 WSF World Rookie Fest saw many of the most talented under 18 years snowboarders at international level, challenging difficult weather conditions with wind and snow falls. While competing for one of the most wished title of the youth snowboard competitions, they showcased how high is today the riding level of tomorrow snowboard stars.

After 2 lucky qualification days, where snowy forecast turned in clen sky, the snow falls arrived over Valtellina, creating difficult condition for the finals of the 2013 WSF World Rookie Fest in Livigno. Winds and clouds didn’t scare the 42 finalists (16 male rookies, 12 male grom, 8 female rookie and 6 female grom) which were more than motivated to shred the Mottolino Snowpark even with low visibility and powder snow on the slopes. A real challenge for these young riders.

Among the girls Talie Larochaix from France won the grom category, while Valentina Barengo from Italy resulted the winner among the female rookies with a solid run including rotations on every kickers of the largest line in the slopestyle. “It is my third and last year as a rookie and winning here in Livigno is like a dream come true” said Valentina after the prize giving ceremony.

The male grom section showcased an insane level of riding since the qualifications where Norwegian ripper Marcus Kleveland stomped a bs double cork 1260. In the finals the challenge was beetwin Marcus and his team mate Isak Ulstein who resulted the best and conquered the top of the podium. Third place for the new comer Tit Stante from Slovenia, another name to remember.

In the male rookie category the battle for the title was amazing with several changes in top position during the 3 runs. At the end the Norwegian Ole Christian Hagen conquered his second victory in Livigno, followed on the podium by Simon Bürki from Switzerland and Rowan Coultas from Great Britain.

For the 8 time in 8 edition of the WSF World Rookie Fest in Livigno, Norway resulted the best team of the event. Hands up for the Swiss Team which, with its team of 22 rippers, was able for the first time to challange the Norwegian domination.

With 138 riders from 16 nations, and 8 nations rappresented on the 4 categories podiums, the 2013 WSF World Rookie Fest in Livigno resulted the largest and most international youth snowboard event ever organized in the history of World Snowboard Federation and TTR World Snowboard Tour. This event is the place to be if your are looking for tomorrow snowboard stars.

Full results on www.worldrookietour.com

Sven Thorgren & Celia Petrig Win 2012 World Rookie Finals

Tom Copsey — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:25:28 +0000

Sven Thorgren (SWE) and Celia Petrig (SUI) won the 2012 Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl, Austria, and were crowned WSF 2012 World Rookie Champions. It was the largest edition ever of the World Rookie Finals with more than 90 riders and 20 national team. Peep the video, shots and how it broke down…

Despite bad weather conditions it was possible to complete the event in Ischgl and to crown the WSF 2012 World Rookie Champions. Several program changes took place to deal with the heavy snowfalls and low visibility conditions, but at the end of the day all the riders were able to take 2 runs during the Rail Session on Friday, and one run in the slopestyle on Saturday.

Sven Thorgren

Sven Thorgren from Sweden won the best male, while Celia Petrig the best girl: they both won title of WSF 2012 World Rookie Champions and get awesome prizes which will support their snowboard careers. Among the groms, the norwegian ripper Fridtjof Tischendorf was the male winner for the second time in a row, while swiss Romana Petrig was the best girl. The grom champions got “Golden Tickets” to enter every World Rookie Tour event in 2013 for free.

“I feel soo well, coudn’t be more happy!” said Sven Thorgren after the prize giving. “I want to say thank you to all the staff that organize these events, it was great to ride the Rookie Fests and it helps me a lot for my snowboard career. So, all you kids out there, keep riding the Rookie Fest events because they are awesome and they will help you in your career.”

Alois Lindmoser

Many other prizes were assigned to the top riders of the event: 2 all inclusive snowboard trip to Australia, a video shoot with the Pirate Movie Production, invitations to Onboard and Cooler photoshoots, 5 invitations to the 2013 Halfpipe Rookie Fest in Monte Bondone Italy, avalanche tranceivers by Pieps and many other goodies.

With the event in Ischgl the World Rookie Tour 2011/12 came to the end. Stay tuned for updates about the Summer and South Hemisphere rookie events startin next July: they will kick off the World Rookie Tour 2012/13!

2012 PROTEST WORLD ROOKIE FINALS in ISCHGL – FINAL RANKINGS

Result Slopestyle Rookie Boys
1 Thorgren Sven SWE 78 77 77,33
2 Kadono Yuki JPN 84,33 61,5 69,11
3 Oberg Tobias SWE 62,67 52 55,56

Result Slopestyle Rookie Girls
1 Petrig Celia SUI 41 22 28,33
2 Rusin Katarzyna POL 44 20 28,00
3 Djukic Lea SUI 32 15,33 20,89

Result Slopestyle Grom Boys
1 Tischendorf Fridtjof NOR 53,67 54,33 54,11
2 Busch Dario SUI 40,33 38 38,78
3 Eilertsen Haakon NOR 51,33 32,33 38,66

Result Slopestyle Grom Girls
1 Petrig Ramona SUI 31,33 18,5 22,78
2 Mattingley Taelor USA 38,33 10,83 20,00
3 Eilertsen Hanne NOR 21,33 16,33 18,00

Protest World Rookie Fest – Training Day Video

Tom Copsey — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:32:37 +0000

The crystal ball that is the Protest World Rookie is allowing us to snatch a glimpse of snowboarding’s future once again in Ischgl right now, and the crew have just dropped this edit of the action from the training day. Check the edit.

The training day of the 2012 Protest World Rookie Finals couldn’t be better with a sunny day, blue sky, a lot of powder and a perfectly shaped snowpark.

All the riders enjoyed their first day on the mountain fine-tuning their runs for the qualification heat. The set up consist of 3 big table top with double jumps, a corner fun box obstacle and a big jibbing area at the end of the slope.

Bassell and Fitch won the Australian Rookie Fest 2011

Youri Barneoud — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:11:54 +0000

The Southern Hemisphere season of the World Rookie Tour concluded with the very successful second ever Australian Rookie Fest at Thredbo Resort. Henry Bessell, last year’s Grom winner, took out the Rookie division: he won a trip to the Protest World Rookie Finals 2012 in Ischgl, Austria, as did the female Rookie winner Alex Fitch.

Henry Bessell in action

Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great, so Charles Beckinsale, internationally renowned course designer, had to make the call on the morning of the event to switch courses from Antons to High Noon. All the competitors were disappointed with the decision as they were really looking forward to hitting the 30ft and 50ft jumps on the specially designed course. However, the course was fogged in and dangerous on the day. The second choice course consisted of a long down box and 2 jumps, which allowed all to show off their best tricks.
Among the grom division Matty Cox and Cassie Fortune took out their category, winning an invitation to the Protest World Rookie Fest in Livigno in January , 2012.
Red Bull also provided flights in the Red Bull stunt plane for each of the Rookie and Grom winners. In addition, Red Bull provided $1,000 to each of the Rookie winners to go towards the cost of travel to Ischgl next year. For the first time the Rookie winners also received an invitation to compete at Stylewars – The Australian Slopestyle Championships in Falls Creek, a 4 star TTR event.
Thanks to the event sponsors Red Bull, Thredbo, K2, Semantics, Smith Optics and Adrenalin + Boardstore. For the full results, photos, video footage and information about the World Rookie Rank, go to www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Female Rookie winners

Male Rookie winners

Watch the official video with live music intro at following link

Results for Australian Rookie Fest 2011
Male Rookie: 1st Henry Bessell; 2nd Ben Alexis; 3rd Jack Hasler
Female Rookie: 1st Alex Fitch; 2nd Biba Turnbull; 3rd Stephanie Dahan
Male Grom: 1st Matthew Cox; 2nd Joshua Vagne; 3rd Angus Waddington
Female Grom: 1st Cassie Fortune; 2nd Emily Arthur: 3rd Georgia Baff

The World Rookie Tour will come back from December 2011 with the first events of the Northern Hemisphere season. Stay tuned on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Sven Thorgren Wins Mall Sport South America Rookie Fest 2011

Tom Copsey — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:30:21 +0000

The World Rookie Fest caravan pitched up in Valle Nevado, Chile for the Mall Sport South America Rookie Fest. Once again, Sven Thorgen dominated… Read on or watch the video…

Riders from Chile, Argentina, Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway and Austria competed at the second edition of the Mall Sport South America Rookie Fest 2011, hosted in Valle Nevado, Chile. The event was dominated once more by Swedish talent Sven Thorgren who won the title here for the second time, earning himself a free invitation to the Protest World Rookie Finals 2012, set to go down in Ischgl, Austria, in April 2012. Next week end the Tour will move to Australia for the last stop of the Southern Hemisphere session.

Sven Thorgren on his way to his second South American Rookie Fest win. Photos: Premek Vida

The slopestyle consisted of a kinked rail, 2 kickers and a final transfer kicker, while for the Groms division (riders from 8 to 14 years old) they built a second line with smaller obstacles. In the male Rookies category, Sven Thorgren (SWE) once again rode hardest with solid runs including 720s and his unmistakable backside rodeo. On the male rookie podium also were fellow Europeans Martin Mikyska (CZE) and Harvard Bergheim (NOR). Norwegian rising star Fridtjof Sather, despite being in the Groms age group, decided to compete in the Rookie category and ended up in 4th place – a killer result for the mini man. Thomas Gonazales was the best Chilean rookie and was also awarded with an invitation to the Protest World Rookie Finals 2012.

Among the Groms Federico Chiaradio from Argentina was judged best and won an invitation to the next edition of the legendary Protest World Rookie Fest in Livigno, January 2012. The best girl of the event was the Chilean ripper Magdalena Gonzalez, class 2001.

Fridtjof Sather - a grom to watch.

In the tradition of any World Rookie Tour events also the Mall Sport South America Rookie Fest is more than a competition. In fact, for the next 10 days, the SARF will continue with an exclusive “Freeride Experience” reserved to the European invited rookies and the best riders from the slopestyle contest. This special program will include backcountry sessions in Valle Nevado neighborhoods, skateboarding in Santiago del Chile with RedBull pro, Surfing days in Cachagua, cultural visit in Unesco heritage Valparaiso and much more.

"Men's" Rookie Podium.

The Mall Sport South America Rookie Fest 2012 was organized by World Snowboard Federation in association with Anden, Valle Nevado, RedBull, Santa Pizza, Wave House and Mall Sport. Full list of rookie events, press releases, pictures and video, details about the World Rookie Rank and more is available on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Australian Rookie Fest 2011 prepares for Hit Thredbo

Tom Copsey — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:34:38 +0000

The Black Yeti is back for a repeat season with Thredbo hosting the 2nd ever Australian Rookie Fest from 18th – 19th August, 2011. It will be a 2 star TTR slopestyle event with competitors earning points towards the TTR world ranking, international and national rookie rankings. A unique chance for top young riders to test themselves in an international field!

The World Rookie Tour is organised by the World Snowboard Federation and aims to provide competitors under 18 years of age with an international sporting experience including ‘a slopestyle competition, sport, fun, didactical activities and get together moments for riders of different nationalities. Last year’s male Rookie and Grom winners Billy Hayman and Henry Bessell, travelled to the World Rookie Fest Finals in Ischgl Austria in April 2011.

On his return Henry commented that it was an awesome experience. “When I won the grom section of the Australian Rookie Fest, I had no idea where Ischgl was or what it would be like. This was my first time in Europe and it was really different from riding in both Australia and the USA. While it took about 30 hours to get there, it was worth it – the mountains were huge. The Gondola took 20min to get 3/4 of the way up the mountain and it wasn’t going slow. The food (fresh baked croissants every morning for breakfast) was good start to the day, my German was terrible and the nightlife was wicked BUT best of all – I had my first photo shoot and I had a great time riding with junior snowboarders from all over the world. It was so good, I am aiming to go back to Ischgl and the World Rookie Fest Finals again.” Henry stated.

Among the many prizes offered this year, all podium place getters in both Rookie and Grom divisions, qualify to compete in the 4 star TTR World Rookie Finals in Ischgl in April 2012. The male and female Rookie winners will also win an all inclusive entry including registration, accommodation, meals and lift tickets. The male and female Grom winners will win an all inclusive entry into the Livigno World Rookie Fest, held in January, 2012. The event has also joined forces with Stylewars – The Australian Slopestyle Championships, a 4 star TTR event, with the male and female Rookie winners winning a free of charge entry to the event to be held in Falls Creek from 20th – 24th August. To be eligible for this prize they must have also competed in the Australian Junior Snowboarding Series.

With the recently announced inclusion of slopestyle as an Olympic event in Sochi, Russia, in 2014, there is likely to be a lot of interest, with the Australian Rookie Fest and the World Rookie Tour providing an excellent competition pathway for our junior athletes.

Watch this space: The World Snowboard Federation recently announced its intention to focus on the Australian Rookie Fest in 2012 making it a 3 star TTR event. The WSF Vice President, Marco Sampaoli will be attending with a film crew to shoot some footage for inclusion in their World Rookie Tour TV show in 2013. They have also announced that winners of some World Rookie Tour events in Europe in 2011 will qualify to compete down under in the Australian Rookie Fest in 2012. “It is great to see Australian snowboard community so active and it is a priority for the WSF World Rookie Tour to involve them more and more in the international movement” stated Marco Sampaoli.

Thanks must go to our to our sponsors and supporters without which the event would not be possible: Red Bull International, Thredbo, K2 Snowboards, Adrenalin Boardstore, Smith Optics, Skull Candy, Semantics, World Snowboard Federation, TTR, Ski and Snowboard Australia and Snowsports NSW.

Event application form is attached or can be found HERE.

Rookie Fest Heads to South America

Tom Copsey — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:38:04 +0000

Sven Thorgren in the Chilean BC last year.

After another successful edition in Val Senales, the World Rookie Fest caravan heads to South America – Valle Nevado, Chile – for a slopestyle contest and freeride experience.

From August 12th to 21st European top rookies with South American upcoming talents will join for the Mall Sport South America Rookie Fest in Valle Nevado, Chile. This special event will include a 2star TTR Slopestyle and a 8 days freeride experience with backcountry riding, surfing trip, filming and photo shooting with Pros: the most unique and excusive snowboard event of the World Rookie Tour.

Marco Grigis sending it.

During the previous event of the World Rookie Tour, the top rookies were scouted and their career launched. More than 500 young riders from 30 nations joined last season tour which culminated in Ischgl, Austria, with the 4Star Protest World Rookie Finals, where Norwegian rising star Emil Andrè Unsletten won the World Rookie Champion title. Now the Black Yeti is moving to South America and continue the search for the next snowboarding future star around the globe.

Invited European rookies such as Sven Thorgren, actually TTR number 19, together with international media, are next to move to Chile for the second stop of the southern hemisphere schedule of the World Rookie Tour 2011 and after the tour will move to Australia.

Grommet on the slide.

The World Rookie Tour is organized by World Snowboard Federation and its member national snowboard associations. The event in Chile is organized in association with Anden, Valle Nevado, RedBull and Mall Sport. Full list of rookie events, press releases, pictures and video, details about the World Rookie Rank, how to get involved and more is available on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Watch last season Mall Sport South America Rookie Fest 2010 TV Show:

World Rookie Tour 2010.11: Chile + Livigno TV Show from Board.tv on Vimeo.

Protest World Rookie Tour Heads for Pyrenees

Tom Copsey — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 09:03:56 +0000

The Protest World Rookie Tour rolls on to Vallnord in the Pyrenees this February, with some of the hottest groms in the area being drawn to this 3-star TTR event.

After a great kick off event in Livigno, Italy, the World Rookie Tour keep on rolling to the next stop in Vallnord, Andorra, from 17 to 20 february 2011 for the Swatch TTR 3Star Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest.

“After the first edition in 2010, Vallnord and local organizer Aleks Sanz from WSS are now ready to upgrade the rookie fest in Andorra to a 3 star level. It will be a great experience for all West Europe rookies and snowboard fans! ” stated Marco Sampaoli from WSF.

The park that will host Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest is made the by ASP SNOWPARKS, the best company in Spain. “Vallnord and ASP are stoked to have this event again after the great success of the last year. There’s a luck of snow in Andorra but the snowpark is great and it’s going to be awesome” stated Aleks Sanz, the organizer of the event.

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

The event in Vallnord will assign the following prizes:

2 tickets to enter for free the Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl, Italy, from 4 to 11 april 2010
1 ticket to the next Rookie Fest in Serbia or in Czech Republic
Snowboard goodies from the sponsors
1 Ticket to the Ride Shake Down in Garmisch (Germany)
2 Tickets to the Protest Manifest in Formigal (Spain)

The Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest is organized by World Snowboard Federation and Wssactionsports (WSS) and it is made possible thanks to Protest Boardwear and Ride Snowboards, Vallnord Ski Resort and Turistic Office, supported by Pirate Movie Productions, energized by RedBull, supported by Tech Riders. You can follow the Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest on our international media partners Onboard European Snowboard Magazine, Cooler.

If your dream is to become a professional snowboarder, then your future starts from the Rookie Fests! Check out more info about the Protest World Rookie Tour.

Highlights from the Protest World Rookie Fest 2011

Uli Köhler — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 10:46:48 +0000

Chances are you’re young, you’re into snowboarding, but you don’t exactly know how good you are. As your favourite source of shred videos we are going to post something that works fabulous as a benchmark for your riding. Watch these highlights from the Protest World Rookie Fest 2011 in Livigno, and admit that you’ll never make it as a pro. Everyone over 20: Fascinating what those young rantipoles are capable of doing…

Don’t miss the official video highlights from the Protest World Rookie Fest 2011 in Livigno, Italy. A three and half minute quick edit to show the best actions from the finals of the most progressive youth snowboard event.

Watch out the winning run of norwegian ripper Emil Andre Ulsletten including fs1080, cab1080, boardslide 450out on the cannon-ball and switch bs900. The highlight also include tricks from Peder Midttomme and Havard Bergheim, both from Norway. As well as the best rookie girl Anna Gyrmati from Hungary, and the top male and female groms: seamus O’Connor from Ireland and Maria Delfina Maiocco from Italy.

Martin Mikyska on a rail. Photo: Eleonora Raggi

Results of the Protest World Rookie Fest 2011
Livigno, Italy
3Star Swatch TTR Slopestyle

ROOKIE MEN FINAL RESULTS
1 ULSLETTEN EMIL ANDRE NOR 1993
2 MIDTTØMME PEDER NOR 1993
3 BERGHEIM HÅVARD NOR 1993

ROOKIE WOMEN FINAL RESULTS
1 GYARMATI ANNA HUN 1993
2 RUSIN KATARZYNA POL 1994
3 THOMPSON NORA NOR 1993

GROM MEN FINAL RESULTS
1 O’CONNOR SEAMUS IRL 1997
2 KOCH LUCIEN SUI 1996
3 ROISLAND MONS NOR 1997

GROM WOMEN FINAL RESULTS
1 MAIOCCO MARIA DELFINA ITA 1996
2 VOJACKOVA KATERINA CZE 1997
3 SILLIERES CHLOE FRA 1998

Next international stop of the World Rookie Tour 2011
Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest – Vallnord, Andorra – 3Star – 17.20 febbruary 2011
East Rookie Fest – Splinderuv Mlyn, Czech Republic – 2Star – march 18.20, 2011
Transilvania Rookie Fest – Arena Platos, Romania – 2 Star – march 25.27, 2011
Protest World Rookie Finals – Ischgl, Austria – 4Star – 6-10 april 2011
Rookie Camp – Val Senales, Italy – 25 june – 9 july 2011 (www.rookiecamp.eu )
Summer Rookie Fest – Val Senales, Italy – 2Star – 1- 2 july 2011
Australian Rookie Fest – Thredbo, Australia – 3Star – july 2011
South America Rookie Fest – Valle Nevado, Chile – 2Star – august 2011
Plus many other 1star rookie event all around organized by WSF National Snowboard Association .

Complete list of world rookie tour events avaible on www.worldsnowboardfederation.org.

Onboard Snowboarding » world rookie fest | Onboard Snowboarding

World Rookie Fest – From Rookies to X Games

Ole Christian Hagen & Valentina Barengo Win 2013 World Rookie Fest in Livigno

Sven Thorgren & Celia Petrig Win 2012 World Rookie Finals

2012 PROTEST WORLD ROOKIE FINALS in ISCHGL – FINAL RANKINGS

Protest World Rookie Fest – Training Day Video

Bassell and Fitch won the Australian Rookie Fest 2011

Sven Thorgren Wins Mall Sport South America Rookie Fest 2011

Australian Rookie Fest 2011 prepares for Hit Thredbo

Rookie Fest Heads to South America

Protest World Rookie Tour Heads for Pyrenees

Highlights from the Protest World Rookie Fest 2011

Results of the Protest World Rookie Fest 2011 Livigno, Italy 3Star Swatch TTR Slopestyle

Results of the Protest World Rookie Fest 2011
Livigno, Italy
3Star Swatch TTR Slopestyle