NZsnowboard.com

28th March 2007

By: TTR press office

Local hero Steve Gruber (AUT) pulled off an inspiring Slopestyle win at TTR FIVE(5)STAR event Aesthetiker Jam Waengl Taengl, Mayrhofen, Austria, 22^nd-25^th March, 07.

After bad weather threatened to postpone the Aesthetiker Jam Waengl Taengl schedule, Sunday?s reserve day delivered broken sunny skies and a chance to run the 30-rider Finals. In a best 2-out-of-3 run format the creative slopestyle course, built by the infamous Aesthetiker crew in Zillertal, gave birth to progressive snowboard action through a two line course: the first consisted of three kickers in a row and a huge Taco at the end; the second, a down-box to a high-turn to a flat-down Suzuki box, followed by a cradle, a corner & three rails.

A high level of international and riding talent, including TTR World Nr 9 Henning Marthinsen (NOR) and World Nr 12, Arthur Longo (FRA), challenged the judges. But it was local maverick Steve Gruber (AUT) who stole the show, winning with a Cab 720, switch backside 540 & backside 720 to win himself 850 TTR Ranking Points, 5,000USD cash prize and a Suzuki Quad bike. Close behind, and earning the 2^nd place result, Jaakko Ruha (FIN) impressed the crowds with a Cab 900, backside 1080, and frontside 900. Scandinavia took another podium spot with Kalle Ohlsson (SWE) scoring a 3^rd place finish through a clean Cab 900, frontside 720 & backside 720.

?What can I say - I?m the most happiest guy on earth at the moment. The park was in an insane shape and it was pretty much one of the sickest sessions I?ve ever been to. I?m speechless, you know; I have a hard time to explain it, I?m so stoked. If I wouldn?t have goggles on, you would see I have watering eyes as well!? stated an overwhelmed Gruber (AUT).

Post-crowning the TTR Tour Champions, the calendar continues through to the end of April 2007. All TTR contests attended until then will provide riders with TTR Ranking Points for the 06/07 TTR Ranking List presented by Swatch to add to their overall ranking score until May 01^st, 2007.

For further information on TTR, Ranking List, Rider Profiles and Event please contact/click:

TTR: Wendy Woo - press (at) ttrworldtour.com / www.ttrworldtour.com