The 7th Annual Red Bull Nanshan Open concluded over the weekend, pushing Swatch TTR snowboarding and crowd levels to new heights in China.

The team at Mellow Parks once again delivered a superior Slopestyle course which gave the snowboarders a chance to showcase their style and flair to the energized Chinese crowd. Freddy Austbo (NOR), was the one claiming first place, taking home 500 Swatch TTR points, and moving into World No. 91. Japanese acrobatic master Atsushi Ishikawa grabbed second place with another Scandinavian, Kalle Ohlson (SWE) taking third.

Photo: Lorenz Holder

Windy conditions were present and threatened to postpone the contest, however Freddy Austbo was not fazed and threw down a winning run consisting of a BS 540 off the first hit, a Cab 540 off the second, a BS 180 up on to the wave box and a Cab540 off, finishing with a Rock and Roll to Fakie on the Wallride. His efforts saw him jump over 140 places into World No.91 on the Swatch TTR Ranking, right back into the TTR Top 100.

Atsushi Ishikawa (JAP), who claimed third at the Red Bull Nanshan Open the previous season, came back in 2009, looking to improve last year’s result. He, too, is now in the Swatch TTR Top 100 at World No 71. Kalle Ohlson’s third place at his fourth appearance in China shot him up over 500 positions in the Swatch TTR World Ranking (SWE) .

Two more riders who progressed into the tight 5 man finals were Tyler Chorlton (GBR) and Markus Keller (SUI) where Chorlton was styling out some of the first double flips seen on Chinese soil. His daredevil performance has put him into World No. 115, his highest ever ranking. Swiss Pirate Markus Keller was as well an event standout, seizing 4th position which jumps him 35 places in Swatch TTR ranking. He now sits in World No.72.

Austrian riders progressed in the Swatch TTR World ranking after the competition.
Werner Stock (AUT) has jumped 172 places whilst Peter Koenig (AUT) moved up 71 positions into World No.103, just outside the Swatch TTR Top 100. The Chinese riders were also demonstrating their progression and looking to move up in the Swatch TTR ranking. Wanglei placed highest of his countrymen throwing down some super sick BS and FS 720 combos which vaulted him up 472 positions in the Swatch TTR World ranking.

The Swatch TTR World Tour continues to hurtle along with rapid speed as January continues. Already there has been many ranking changes and incredible action taking place at events all over the world/ the world over. Coming up January 17th – 21st is the 3Star Protest World Rookie Fest in Livigno, Italy. This contest gives Swatch TTR groms and rookies a chance to prove their worth and pushes the concept of the “rookie to pro system”. Talent scouts will be in attendance so you can be sure to see the next generation of riders going for it as they look to impress.