A nail biting grand finale of mega proportions is looming on the horizon for the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour. After a week full of action at the Tour defining 6Star Burton US Open from March 17th – 22nd, 2009, the TTR Tour Champion will be crowned after the Slopestyle Finals on Sunday. The freestyle Mecca of Stratton, Vermont, will see Peetu Piiroinen (FIN) and Shaun White (USA) clash for the Title as the world top riders vie for a coveted position in the TTR Top 5.
Throughout the season, Peetu Piiroinen has been working tirelessly to secure his future as Swatch TTR World Champion and currently sits in the World No.1 position. His journey to the top has seen him place fifth or higher at all the season’s major 6Star events he entered. One rider who could stop him at the US Open is Shaun White, the contest machine. The 2006/07 TTR Tour Champion’s recent victory at the 5Star Intelligent Design has given him the sixth of seven results necessary for victory. Shaun has finished atop podium in some of the major 6Star events ensuring that the Title is still in his grasp. History favours Shaun at the US Open where he clinched his 2006/2007 Tour Title and took out both formats in 2008. “One more stop…the US Open. It would mean a lot to me to become the winner of the Tour because you are on board at every event. It’s an accumulation of events instead of just one day”, he said after his recent win.
Finishing in the Swatch TTR Top 5 attracts prestige, cash rewards and invitations to the major events next season. Currently in World No.2, Chas Guldemond (USA), has maintained a strong position in the TTR ranking through sheer determination and motivation. He recently claimed both the Slopestyle and Halfpipe titles at the 5Star Nissan X-Trail Asian Open which has boosted his confidence and TTR points as the US Open approaches.
FRENDS, Finns and upcoming rookies make up the aspiring TTR Top 5 finishers. Last year’s Swatch TTR Tour Champ, Kevin Pearce (USA), currently sits in World No.4 and will be looking to finish strongly before heading off to film. Just like his fellow FRENDS crew member Mason Aguirre (USA) who now sits in World No. 8 but has his sight set firmly on the TTR Top 5. The Finns in the race for the top ranks are current World No. 3 Risto Mattila (FIN) and World No. 6 Antti Autti who are both looking for another good TTR season finish. Out to stop them both will be upcoming World No.7, Charles Reid (CAN) who is likely to unleash his trademark progressive moves and score a good result.
To watch how the Tour drama has unfolded, as well as gain insight into what motivates the world’s top snowboarders, make sure you check out the exclusive 26min Swatch TTR Mid Season Show and read the news, watch videos and get updated before the Tour comes to its climatic end. Watch the live webcast on go211 and prepare to witness history.
2008/2009 – Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Rankings as of: 07/03/2009 Rank Name Nation Results Points
1 Piiroinen, Peetu FIN 7 904.59
2 Guldemond, Chas USA 7 840.27
3 Mattila, Risto FIN 7 782.92
4 Pearce, Kevin USA 7 782.78
5 White, Shaun USA 6 769.72
6 Autti, Antti FIN 7 754.81
7 Reid, Charles CAN 7 739.52
8 Aguirre, Mason USA 7 732.23
9 Malin, Markus FIN 7 714.35
10 Korpi, Janne FIN 7 702.01
