Unfortunatly the Red Bull Supernaturals doesn’t fit in to any TTR tour discipline yet, but, is it the future of competitive freestyle snowboarding? For the uninitiated the Red Bull Supernatural is a unique backcountry competition handcrafted by the snowboarding demi-god, Travis Rice, to challenge all the riders over a unique terrain .

Travis Rice spent most of his past winters travelling around the globe in the search of the best natural features to perform his breathtaking snowboarding stunts. Red Bull Supernatural has aimed to serve up a run beyond anyone’s wildest dreams with three distinct sections designed to show off each athlete’s strengths. So, how can you go along and watch this great contest? Well, that’s an issue. The riders are choppered in because it’s located within the 32,000 acre tenure of Baldface Lodge, one of Canada’s best backcountry snowcat operations. Deep in the Kootenay Mountains of British Columbia, the 45+ degree slope nicknamed “Scary Cherry” is host to over 80 man-made features which took a crew of loggers five months to construct!

The riders’ list features the additions of wild card winners Mark McMorris and Sage Kotsenburg, both 18-years old and slopestyle leaders on the TTR World Snowboard Tour. Also Canadian Mark Sollors has been confirmed to replace Wolle Nyvelt, who was forced to drop out due to an injury.

THE RED BULL SUPERNATURAL CONFIRMED RIDER LIST

David Carrier-Porcheron CAN
Devun Walsh CAN

Eero Niemela FIN

Gigi Ruf AUT
Jake Blauvelt USA
John Jackson USA

Kazu Kokubo JPN

Lucas Debari USA

Mark Carter USA
Mark Landvik USA

Nicolas Müller SUI
Erik Jackson USA
Scotty Lago USA

Terje Håkonsen NOR
Travis Rice USA
Mark Sollors CAN

Mark McMorris CAN

Sage Kotsenburg USA

The Supernatural window is now open from today, 3rd February – 8th February so the action can kick off any minute!

Check out these preview pics. Gnarly, huh?

Transworld Snowboarding caught up with Travis Rice to see what he had to say……….

What will the giant kicker be like?
We’re still not sure how much snow we’ll have, but the idea is a 250-foot wide kicker. We might break it up with a couple of different takeoffs. First off we have to enhance the landing quite a bit, so that’s the main project. Then we’re also finishing off a whole mini-park zone at the very bottom. It’s packed full of features.

What are the snow conditions like so far?
We’ve been held up getting on slope the last three days because of some bad instabilities in the snow pack. It’s some of the worst they’ve had up here in six or eight years. We’re doing the best we can. They’ve been dropping charges on the slopes, dropping cornices, doing everything they can. We’ve got a good crew up here. Basically we want to finish up and then we don’t want to touch the thing for three weeks, giving it time to get a couple snowstorms—then we come in and cook that face.

……….click here to see more of their great questions and pics

The Red Bull Supernatural Trailer

An awesome Slopestyle Snowboard final in one of the biggest Snowparks in Europe on Mount Corvatsch, Silvaplana Switzerland. The perfectly shaped Slopestyle gave all the 30 finalist a challenge but they all presented top level riding.

The final of the 4Star TTR event at the Engadinsnow was won by Nuutti Niemelä from Finland with a run of : On the first jump, the biggest kicker of the Slopestyle, with a gap of 18 meters Nuutti showed a backside 1080° Indy Grab. On the second obstacle a Frontside 540° Indy Nosebone and on the third kicker he showed a Frontside 1080° Mute Grab. On the last obstacle before the finish, a spine, he showed a Backside 360° Stalefish Grab. With a score of 96.8 points he won the competition well-deserved and with a big lead of 12.6 points ahead of runner-up Matthias Vogt from Germany, who also showed a spectacular run: starting with a Switch Frontside 900° Indy Grab on the first kicker, followed by a Backside 720° Backside Grab and a Frontside 900° Nute Grab on the following obstacles. Matthias finished his run with a high and stylish backside air.

The third place was taken by the upcoming Swiss youngster David Hablützel from Zurich. He started his run with a Switch Backside 900° Mute Grab. On the next two impressive kickers he stood out with a Backside 720° Indy Grab, a Frontside 360° Stalefish Grab and on the spine he showed a Frontside Rodeo 540° Backside Grab. The winner of the ladies was Abby Lockhart from New Zealand who managed to collect important points at the 4 star TTR event for the World Tour ranking. She showed the jury a good run and won ahead of the best swiss rider Tina Ramholt on second place.

Check out the pictures below of the winners. Congratulations to all from TTR!

Check out the TTR event page or visit the Engadinsnow web-site.

The second stop of The Nike Chosen Series saw riders traveling from all corners of the country to Funasdalen, Sweden.

Even though it was the first time many of the riders went over a kicker this winter due to the lack of snow in the early season, you wouldn’t have guessed it. All riders treated the crowd to a demonstration of style and tech in the finals in Sweden.

The lollipop got a working with Joel Anderson sticking a BS 360 Nosebonk and Simon Ahlvu showing his experience by pulling a crazy BS Rodeo Handplant.
Over on the kicker Philip Landmark stamped his technical prowess with a series of spins including a front 10, Karl-Anton Svensson bent his way around a super rare FS 720 Double Tailgrab and Joel Anderson stalled out a floaty back 5 no-grab before stomping a Double Backside Rodeo late in the jam.
The winner of the MVP was judged to be Anderson who threw it down all day with confidence and will be given an invite the Nike Chosen Sessions in April to session with the Nike Pros on a purpose built park, and the chance to be the overall “Chosen Rider”.

The third stop was in Kronplatz, Italy where a foot of fresh snow fell over night, the expert F-Tech shaper crew pulled out the stops to make Kronplatz, Italy, proud with an immaculate kicker for the 3^rd stop of the Nike Chosen Series.

From the off, local brothers Daniel (Back 7 Melon to shifty) and Oliver Reichegger (Front Rodeo 5 Stiffy) took the event by the reins, laying down a huge variety of spins and double grabs which saw them sail into the finals. Joining them in the 10-man cut was Alex Reiner (Front 7 double tail) and David Mahlknecht (Front 10 Melon).

The finals saw the biggest variation of double grabs so far on the 9-stop tour. Daniel Reichegger was consistent throughout using the kicker and the bonk feature in equal measure giving the judges a stoke with a floated miller flip, classic stylish Cab 5s, a maverick back 5 double nose grab and a backside 9 nose grab – the award for MVP (most valuable player) was never in doubt.

Daniel wins a ticket to Nike Chosen Sessions to ride with the Nike Pro team on a purpose built park where he will compete to become the overall Nike Chosen Series Winner.

Check out this video from the third stop in Kronplatz, Italy

Don’t forget 3 Competing riders from each stop also has the opportunity to gain a wildcard entry into the finals. Who do you think it should be? Ensure to keep watching the tricks as you can vote for which rider you think should go to the Nike Chosen Sessions Final at www.nikechosenseries.com

Stay tuned for updates on the latest stop on The Nike Chosen Series!

 

The Canadian Shield Ski and Snowboard Slopestyle Tour is set to embark on it’s first season, awarding $80,000 to top Canadian athletes along the way. The first tour of its kind in Canada, The Canadian Shield offers skiers and snowboarders alike an avenue to showcase their slopestyle skills while earning valuable AFP, TTR and tour points. Additionally, a huge cash purse and a ton of prizing are up for grabs at each stop, along with the opportunity to compete for the highly coveted overall tour titles and prizing.

 

If you haven’t already heard, Swatch TTR Art Rules is back! Make your mark on this year’s TTR Trophy and official Swatch Tour Watch and get your creative juices flowing. Each season TTR and Swatch come together to find the most creative design created by you, for the World Snowboard Tour Trophy and a matching Swatch TTR Tour Watch.

Last year’s winner, Frankie Leong, paid both physical and emotional tribute to that inspiring moment when the victor lifts their prize.

This year it could be your design making an entry into the history of Snowboarding! If you’ve got what it takes, then register at www.artrules.swatch.com and get started!

Check out the Wrap Up video from the 2011/2012 Swatch TTR Art Rules!

 

The qualification period for the 6 Star TTR WSC direct qualification spots have ended! The riders ranked in the top 50 men or women on the Halfpipe or Slopestyle Points List as of January 23rd, 2012 are directly qualified for the event. The top ranked riders will be seeded into the qualifications or semi-final round of the event and all qualified riders will have to re-confirm their spots within the next 7 days.

Check out the lists below to see who qualified!
Make sure you go to the TTR event page for more info and check TTR News for updates.

 

Swatch Art Rules Design Contest is back! Don’t miss out on the chance of a life time to have your artwork featured on the 2012/13 TTR World Tour Trophy and matching TTR Swatch Watch. Swatch and TTR are pleased to announce this third annual Swatch Art Rules Design Contest. The TTR Trophy, sculpted by renowned “Coarse” designer, Mark Landwehr, acts as a blank canvas for you to get creative! One lucky winner will have the honour to have their art work being part of snowboarding history.

Swatch Art Rules is a great way to showcase your art work and break into the spotlight through the snowboard and art worlds. The TTR Trophy is featured throughout the season and is awarded to the tour champion live onstage at the biggest events in the sport. Imagine people world-wide wearing your design round their wrist as the winning design will be produced on a Swatch watch and distributed world-wide in 2012/2013!

This year’s installment of the design contest presents a challenge to the artists of the world: submit a graphic design that expresses the themes of Progression and Style. Progression and Style are two elements that run through all aspects of snowboarding and an artist’s interpretation of these themes will make the TTR Trophy and Swatch Tour Watch aesthetically complete.

A jury of snowboard and art experts selects the winning design from all submitted proposals. The top three nominees will be invited to the Swatch Art Rules Night gala event on 12th May 2012 in the Los Angeles area (USA) where the winning design and artist are set to be unveiled to the world. In addition to the portfolio-building exposure, the winner also receives a two-week trip to New York City to soak up all the art and design inspiration of the Big Apple.

So what are you waiting for! Get your creative juices flowing, the contest is now on through to March 31st 2012 and you can submit your designs at www.artrules.swatch.com.

 

Check out last years winner in this video….this year it could be you!

Girls only! Central Park of Thyon saw the first competition of the first Swiss Ski and Snowboard “freestyle” tour only for girl rider’s. This 3 Star TTR event saw awesome riding by all contestants but it was Swiss girl Rina Ramholt dominated in Snowboarding.

Everyone agreed that Tina Ramholt made a perfect run: Underflip 540° on the first jump, 270° in on the Flat-Down boxe, Frontboard on the Rainbow-boxe and 50-50 on the Down-boxe, earning the Swiss girl 900 francs. Taking second place was Anaïs Cettou with a Switch Back 360° on the first jump, 270° in on the Flat-Down boxe, 50-50 Frontboard on the Rainbow-boxe and 270° in on the Down-boxe, receiving an award of 400 francs. Justine Gremaud did a 180° Back on the first jump, Gap Boardslide on the Flat-Down boxe, 270° in on the Up-Flat-Down boxe and 360° on the boxe, completing the podium and receiving 200 francs.

Congratulations to all the winners from TTR!

Check out the video below of the Ladies First Challenge: Thyon

Next stop is in Wildhaus (SG) on the 18th February 2012 so make sure you register at:
www.ladiesfirstchallenge.ch/rider/register.php

Stay tuned for more info on The Ladies First Challenge.

Day 2 of the Protest World Rookie Fest 2012 was on fire with tonnes of action at the Mottolino Swatch Snowpark and in the new Cable Park in Livingno downtown. 126 riders from the starting list all shred the slopestyle set up including 3 table top and ending in a multi rail obstacles in practice. The afternoon saw the Protest Cable session happen in the centre of Livigno awarding a €1,000 prize money to grab in a “cash for trick” contest.

The Protest World Rookie Fest is not just about competing. The program of day 2 included a workshop, “Wanna be a Snowboarder Pro” by Bob Klein from USA. Bob was one of the very first pro ever and today he is in the “snowboarding hall of fame” and works as a professional athlete manager in Octagon, world leading company in this market!

Yeti on the loose! Last seen shredding!

Have you seen seen this Yeti?! Anyone know who it is?
Rumour has it that Red Bull pro Jamie Nicholls has joined the Protest World Rookie Fest to shred with the riders, but in a different style.

Day 3 of the Protest World Rookie Fest 2012 saw a high level of riding at the qualifications, only the best 16 male rookies and the 8 male groms get a spot for today’s super finals while all the girls, both rookies and groms get direct access to the finals.

Swedish rising star Sven Thorgen resulted the best in the rookie category while norwegian ripper Mons Roislan dominated among the groms. As rumoured there was a very special Yeti on the slopestyle: Red Bull pro, Jamie Nicholls had the honor to be the world famous World Rookie Tour Mascotte all day long!

In the afternoon a Yoga Lesson was arranged for the participants: almost 30 riders, coach and parents enjoyed this new activity of the Protest World Rookie Fest program.

Click here to see the qualification results for the finals.

Check out the video below of Training at the Mottolino Swatch Snowpark, Day 2!

Follow the Yeti @ www.worldrookietour.com and www.worldsnowboardfederation.org
For more info on the final event check out the TTR event page.

The World Rookie Fest 2012 has started! 126 riders, 17 nations standing out as the biggest event of the World Rookie Tour Ever!

The Mottolino Swatch Snowpark looked awesome thanks to the crew of shapers who spent the night and day to create the perfect set up for the crowd of rookies arriving in Livigno. The 8th edition of Protest World Rookie Fest has started with the qualification day at the Snowpark and the cable-snow contest  with a prize money of €1000 cash in the afternoon.

The opening ceremony kicked off the World Rookie Fest 2012 in style thanks to the video première of the  Red Bull movie “The Art of Flight” and “Rookie Trip to Chile”, a movie filmed in Chile with the best riders of the World Rookie Tour 2011 together with some South America Red Bull riders. The “Rookie Trip to Chile” will be available for download soon on the official rookie website so don’t forget to check it out at www.worldrookietour.com.

Get more info of the final  4Star event at the TTR event page or visit www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

Watch this video of the 1st day: World Rookie Fest 2012

If you dream to become a professional snowboarder, your future starts here at the Rookie Fest!