Swatch TTR Changes

The Swatch TTR board members met in New York City, USA on May 19^th through May 22^nd to devise some changes for the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour 2008-2009 to try and increase the progress snowboarding has been making. Given below are some of the notable changes that have been made.

In the Tour of 08-09 the last 6STR events will consist of two events to determine the Tour Champion. There will be Burton US Open for the men, and Roxy Chicken Jam for the women. Whoever wins the Tour Champion events will receive a 1000 Swatch TTR points. The 25% bonus will be removed.

The prize money will be distributed to all the winners after identifying their rankings at the end of the Burton US Open and the Roxy Chicken Jam. The Top 10 men of the Burton US Open and the Top 5 women of the Roxy Chicken Jam will receive prize money.

Swatch TTR ranking points received by the riders ranked on the final Swatch TTR ranking list at the end of the tour (April 30^th) will be carried over to the tour of the next season, which will instantly be taken as the first result of the new season’s ranking list. The average of eight results will determine a rider’s final ranking. If the rider carries his/her last season’s points, then the average of only seven results will be required to determine the rider’s final ranking.

The number of Swatch TTR points available at each STAR level has been changed to provide a clear distinction between the 1-2 Star, 3-4 Star and 5-6 Star, while still maintaining dignity in the different levels.

Swatch TTR (Swatch Ticket To Ride) was founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, and is a non-profit, rider-driven organization. They have the goal “to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility, innovation as guiding principles”. They are one of the most well-known snowboard organizations present today. And they have all unanimously agreed on the above changes at the General Assembly held on May 22^nd, 2008.

Let us hope these changes bring the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour of 2008-2009 even more success.

Shaun White Wins 4-Star Snickers Classic and Popcorn Wallride

Bright sunshine, loud music and fantastic entertainment; the last and final event of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour could not have gone more perfectly in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. The final event was the 4-Star Snickers Classic and Popcorn Wallride, which took place on Saturday, April 19^th 2008, with the riders displaying their moves in full-swing.

Shaun White, making his second European appearance this season, bagged first place after performing tricks such as FS 180 to a crazy Inverted Cab 9 up top, a BS 9 and a huge Cab 1080. White walked away with 700 TTR ranking points and $10,000 USD. In addition to this, White also received $50,000 USD for his stellar performances in every contest he entered, and also for achieving the number one spot in the Swatch TTR rankings, having received his 6^th TTR result. Though White currently holds the number one Swatch TTR position, his fellow American rider, Kevin Pearce, retains the title of tour champion.

The event took place on top of a glacier in Saas-Fee. The slopestyle course was designed specifically to allow riders to perform their various unique tricks, and impress the judges. The course had a kicker in the middle, a step up kicker in the bottom and a gap to table to feature up top. However, despite all its scenic beauty, the audience’s attention was focused on the riders at all times.

Shaun White was by-far the most entertaining, but the second and third place winners had a few tricks up their sleeves as well. The second place winner, Laivisto performed a Half Cab to BS 7, a jaw-dropping Double Back Flip, a FS 900 and a Switch BS 7. Fredi K., a Swiss legend, bagged third place after performing a Half Cab to FS 3 melon, a Cab 9, a BS 9 and a Switch BS 7. Laivisto and Fredi K. walked away with $6000 USD and $3000 USD respectively.

So, after 10 months of sheer entertainment, the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour bids good-bye to another successful year.