Gjermund Bråten, a youngster from Norway, full of character and motivation to compete, has an impressive list of results from his home country's events. Like many riders competing on the TTR Tour he made his way to the top events start-lists by competing at the World Rookie Fest. He took the World Rookie Champion Title in Ischgl in 2008 and has since been to a fair few high profile events.

Having the opportunity to study at a sports oriented high school, Gjermund had the possibility to take time to follow his passion. Always pushing for new heights, he grew up snowboarding surrounded by freeskiers. He is at his strongest on the Slopestyle, but he can hold his own in the pipe as well.

In the 2009 spring he went on to take 4th place at the 5Star Intelligent Design Slopestyle and in January 2010 he gleamed on the podium with Mikkel Bang, with a 3rd place at the 6Star Burton European Open Slopestyle. His run consisted of a Frontside Boardslide - Backside Rodeo Polejam - 270 on 270 off - 270 on Boardslide 270 off - Backside 540 - Cab 900 - Front 1080 - Back 1080. He also had an opportunity to use the wildcard he won from the World Rookie Fest by participating to the 2009 6Star Air & Style Rookie Challenge.

He showed off his talents also at the 5Star Burn River Jump in Livigno where he took 2nd place at both the Slopestyle and the Big Air. He then made an appearance at his home country's esteemed 6Star event the Oakley Arctic Challenge slopestyle where he took 14th place. His efforts and impressive results throughout the season have pushed this young rider into the end-of-season TTR Top 5, sitting in World No. 4.

Thanks to his end-of-season bonus points and a good kick off at the 5Star BIllabong Ante Up in June 2010 where he placed 4th, Gjermund heads towards the Southern Hemisphere in World No. 1. With another good result at the Burton New Zealand Open Slopestyle, where he finished in 2nd, Gjermund defended his Tour lead where he will remain for another couple of weeks.

With a competitive mindset and his solid riding and style we will probably be seeing much more of Gjermund on the podium, so keep on the lookout!!

Interview with Gjermund in Jan 2010

Do you have any brothers and sisters? Do they snowboard?
I have two younger brothers, the elder one snowboards as a hobby, while the youngest is an up and coming freeskier.
 
How many years have you been riding? How and where did you start?
I started about ten years ago in my backyard. I got a snowboard for Christmas and went to a local resort one-two times a week. And also built rails and jumps in my backyard which I shredded as much as possible.
 
Who do you love to shred with and who pushes you?
I had some serious good times at NTG Geilo, a sports school that  allowed us to travel and snowboard a lot. The people there are a big part of my career. The freeskiers in my local resort who I grew up with and who pushed me to go as fast and as big as they did. My brothers, Torstein Horgmo, and the rest of the crew in the national team.

How did you find your first sponsors?
I started at this snowboard school, and after a trip to Saas Fee, I impressed my trainer so much that he called his friend and Burton team manager in Norway, Christian Thoresen, and hooked me up.

You are quite a new face on the TTR Tour this season. Tell us a bit about
how, where and when your competitive snowboarding career kicked off?
I think it kicked off the season of 2007/2008, I won a lot of national contests, the rookie fest in Ischgl and the norwegian championships. I've always been a really competitive person.  
 
You won the Völkl World Rookie Fest in 2008, what was that like and what
opportunities did that bring to you?
It was a pretty good feeling. It was my first international title. It was supposed to earn me a trip with pirates to COC, but then I got sick and couldn't come. And I was supposed to get a spot in Air & Style Munich, but then it got cancelled. So I was quite unlucky with the prizes he he. Anyway I got invited for Air&Style this year and it was a sick experience. Thanks to the guys at rookie fest for pushing young riders!
 
What have been the greatest moments of your young career so far?  
Heli shoot with Factor Films, Shoot in Sölden with nike 6.0, 4th place at intelligent design Park City 2009 and 3rd at BEO SS 2010.

Your career kicked of pretty quickly. Last season you finished as World No 43. Now you are in the Top 10. Did you ever dream of being in the TTR Top 10 next to riders like Peetu Piiroinen? How does that feel?
It has always been my goal to do as good as possible so of course it's been one of my dreams. But I can't say I've reached my goal yet as a rider in top 10, reach for the stars;)
 
There are 3 Norwegians up in the TTR Top 10 right now. Do you all hang out together and go riding? Do you support each other or is it more competitive among yourselves?
Yeah we travel a lot together and it's Norway is a big crew where
everyone is friends and go shred with each other.
 
How do you control your nerves at a competition? Do you get nervous?
For sure. I just think of riding good and put on some music maybe.
 
What are your plans for the TTR Tour and outside of it this winter? Do you
have any filming projects going on?  
My plan is to place as high up on the ranking as I can. Hopefully
stay inside top ten to make it easier for entries next year. I think you
might see me in Isenseven new movie. And I also have some plans
that remains to be confirmed yet.

What is your dream to achieve on your snowboarding career in the future?
Win the TTR tour and X games he he.

Are you still going to school? And what are your plans for your future besides snowboarding?
I finished school last spring. And I haven't thought about any other stuff yet. I'l enjoy snowboarding as long as I can.

Is there a specific event on the Tour that you would love to compete at?
Air&Style, Arctic Challenge and Nissan X-trail Jam.
 
What are your hobbies besides snowboarding?
Skateboarding, Halling-dans and Soccer.