Markus Malin is the latest Finn to break out on the Swatch TTR Tour.  The cool, calm, calculated Halfpipe slayer started his 2008/2009 season off with a bang, taking 2nd place at the 5Star Burton New Zealand Open and 3rd at the 5Star Burton Australian Open.  Heading down under proved valuable for Malin as it helped him to maintain a solid spot in the rankings throughout the season.  He did not find the podium again until placing 2nd at the 5Star Nissan X-Trail Open, however, this result, combined with consistent finishes, ensured he remained in the Swatch TTR Top 10.

This season Markus has been balancing school with shredding, but now that his last exams are over, expect to see a lot more of Markus on the podium.  Finland is currently producing some of the world’s best riders and Malin is no exception.

When and where did you start snowboarding?

When I was 9 years old so about 12 years I have been riding.

Could you give me a brief explanation about your first contest and
how you got into competing on the TTR circuit?

Well one of my local friends told me that I should do competitions and he took me to my first one. My first TTR contest was Burton European Open 3 years ago and it was so fun to ride whole day in good conditions.  That's why I like TTR contests to be able to ride whole day.

You are from Finland.  Home too many famous riders. Who do ride
with mostly and which Finnish riders to you look up to the most?

Back in the days Sebu Kullberg and Markus Hurme.   Now it would be Markku Koski.   It's always nice to watch Markku shredding, it's stylish and I also like how he handles the "job" of snowboarding. He does what he wants. If he doesn’t feel competing he just skips the contest.

What are your goals as a snowboarder? How big do you want to go? What do you want to achieve?

I just want to ride and develop all the time.  If I can get my living from snowboarding then that's awesome as well.

You came 2nd in the New Zealand Halfpipe Open and 2nd at Asian Open
Halfpipe. How does it feel to place so highly in 5Star Contests?

 It feels good but I'm more stoked if I ride good and have fun.