Rookie Champion 2010 Roope Tonteri (photo Eleonora Raggi)

Sven Thorgren training In Ischgl (photo raggieleonora)

Diana Augustinova in the final at Ischgl
&copy raggieleonora (photo raggieleonora)

Date: 4.04.2011
Updated: 4.04.2011 03:30

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The young-guns all over Europe are waxing up their boards and beginning their travels to Ischgl, Austria next week for the 4Star Protest World Rookie Finals.  The future stars of snowboarding have had the opportunity to compete all year at the many World Rookie Tour stops found all over the globe, from Chile to Romania, which are 1Star to 3Star slopestyle events and each have offered wild cards for the finals.  The World Rookie Fest culminates with male and female WSF World Rookie Champions being crowned at the end of the weekend. The action starts on the 6th of April and runs till the 10th of April 2011, at the Xperia snowpark. Following the footsteps of some of the world’s best snowboarders like current TTR Tour Champion Peetu Piiroinen (FIN), who took the World Rookie Champ title early in his career, in 2004, the young hopefuls will compete for some amazing prizes and up to 500 Swatch TTR World Ranking points.

Following the Footsteps of many Snowboard Stars
The World Rookie Tour is known as a place where the future snowboard stars test the waters and have the opportunity and encouragement to make a debut into the world of competitive snowboarding. Many top level snowboarders of today including Peetu Piiroinen, Christian Haller (SUI), Gjermund Braaten (NOR) and Roope Tonteri (FIN) have all been there and the WRF has been a stepping stone for these riders becoming professional snowboarders. This event does not only TTR points and the glory that comes with the World Rookie Champ Title, but also several other prizes will be handed out, such as a ticket to the 6Star Billabong Air & Style Innsbruck rookie challenge, as well as, an opportunity to participate in an Onboard or Cooler photo shoot, or go filming with the Pirates Productions crew, along with some of the worlds best riders. The riders will take on the huge park setup that includes several 14-18meter kickers, a hip and a selection of fun jib features.

Emil Andre Ulsletten from Norway took the victory in the 3Star Livigno Rookie Fest and earned himself a wild card to compete in the World Rookie Finals. Emil currently sits in TTR World No. 33, which is an impressive feat for the 17-year old rider. He went on to take 6th place at the 6Star Burton European Open slopestyle this January and has also competed at the 6Star Oakley Arctic Challenge. He has quickly gathered momentum on the TTR Tour and is one of the rookies to keep an eye out for. Other up and coming stars include Teemu Lamber (FIN), Hannes Handle (AUT), Lewis Courtier-Jones (GBR) and Ischgl local Roland Tschoder (AUT) in the groms category. Also, Lucien Koch (SUI) who showed off his serious slopestyle riding skills in the 5Star Nescafé Champs Leysin in Switzerland and took the top honours, is set to compete and is a serious contender for the title.

On the girl’s side, World No. 22, Katarzyna Rusin (POL) will be one to watch out for. She took the World Rookie Champ Title last year and this year came second at the WRF in Livigno and third at the 4Star Horesefeathers Pleasure Jam. Also confirmed is Hungarian Anna Gyarmati, who currently sits in World No. 38, and this year took the first spot at the 3Star WRF in Livigno and 5th at the 3Star Rip Curl Sista Sessions. There will be a serious display of talent on offer next weekend, as these under 18-year old riders will take the center stage in Ischgl, Austria over the next week. 

4Star TTR Action in America
Once the 4Star Protest World Rookie Finals has been wrapped up, as well as, the 4Star Billabong Flaunt-It at Sierra-at-Tahoe, USA on April 9th, 2011 the TTR Tour heads to the 4Star USASA National Championships on April 2, 2011 to April 12, 2011 at Copper Mountain, Colorado. Keep up to date on all the events on the Swatch TTR Tour on www.ttrworldtour.com