NZsnowboard.com

17th February 2008

By: TTR Press Office

Oslo, Norway:  This is it. Get ready. The Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour is coming to the final stretch of the 07/08 Tour with the fifth of only six competitions at the SIX(6)STAR level on the horizon. The Oakley Arctic Challenge, set to hit Oslo, Norway with an onslaught of insane riding from February 18th to 23rd 2008, is sure to be an event of legendary status. The best Quarterpipe riders in the business will be competing for 1000 TTR Ranking points, a piece of the $100 000 USD prize purse and a sparkling new $25 000 Oakley gold watch.

But this competition isn?t just about awarding the greats with cash and prizes. Established by the man himself, Terje Haakonsen (NOR), The SIX(6)STAR Arctic Challenge has become an undisputed pillar in the history of snowboard progression, alongside the TTR Tour that Terje also helped to establish. Resulting from Terje?s dedication to the sport is a week long, rider driven competition devoted entirely to riders, with a clear-cut focus on progression and genuine snowboard values. Terje proved this at last year?s event, breaking the world record and soaring to 9.8 m.

Now, in 2008, eyes are again set on Oslo, where a new world record could be set and big ranking changes could occur, setting up a climactic and nail-biting end to the Tour at the SIX(6)STAR Burton US Open in March.

Last year?s Arctic Challenge champ and recent winner of the Billabong Air & Style Quarterpipe, Kevin Pearce has set himself up as the rider to beat in Oslo. Impressive results during the season thus far have put Pearce in a position to move into Swatch TTR World No. 1 if he finishes in the Top 10 at the Arctic Challenge.

The only other rider that can challenge Pearce for Tour Lead is Peetu Piiroinen from Finland. Piiroinen came third in Quarterpipe at both the SIX(6)STAR O?Neill Evolution in December and the recent Billabong Air & Style  and could capture the TTR World No. 1 spot if he wins in Oslo and Pearce finishes 11th or lower. It will be incredible to see how this one plays out.

Piiroinen however, will also be hoping to hold on to his World No. 3 spot, as Halfpipe Title winner at the O?Neill Evolution Andy Finch (USA), looks to close the gap and move into the TTR Top 3. Markus Keller (SUI), Scotty Lago (USA) and Nicolas Mueller (SUI) will all be fighting for a spot in the TTR Top 10 as well.

French rider Arthur Longo will look to keep his place in the Top 15 while Kim Rune Hansen, Quarterpipe Title winner of the SIX(6)STAR O?Neill Evolution,  attempts to move from 19th into the TTR Top 15. Manuel Pietropoli (ITA), who received the Swatch highest air award for his 8 m air at the O?Neill Evolution Quarterpipe, will also be one to look out for as he sets his sights on the TTR Top 20.

The SIX(6)STAR Oakley Arctic Challenge marks a crucial point on the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, as riders attempt to post their best six results for a chance at the Word Tour Title. The Top 10 men and Top 5 women will also be receiving a portion of the $250 000 USD prize purse. The last chance to enter the Oakley Arctic Challenge is to qualify through the THREE(3)STAR Arctic Open taking place just a few days prior. The winner and the highest air go straight from The Arctic Open to The SIX(6)STAR Oakley Arctic Challenge. Now is as important a time as ever for riders to throw down their best tricks to get a piece of the action.

The TTR crew will be in Norway all of next week bringing the freshest news, blogs and video updates from the Oakley Arctic Challenge to www.ttrworldtour.com. Information about the event can also be found on www.thearcticchallenge.com. Stay tuned as the THREE(3)STAR O2 World Rookie Fest, Arctic Open, and O?Neill Garden of Roses showcase the talents of up-and coming riders on the Swatch TTR World Tour.

Confirmed Riders List for The Oakley Arctic Challenge:

 Kevin Pearce                USA    Burton
 Kim Rune Hansen            NOR    Burton
 Terje Haakonsen            NOR    Burton
 Jake Blauvelt                USA    Forum
 Arthur Longo                FRA    APO
 Fumyuki Murakami             JPN    Forum
 Takota Taniguchi            JPN    Allian
 Manuel Pietropoli            ITA    Burton
 Andy Finch                USA    Rip Curl
 Colin Frei                SUI    K2
 Markus Keller            SUI    Dragon
 Scotty Lago                USA    Flow
 Nicolas Muelller            SUI    Burton
 Takaharu Nakai             JPN    Burton
 Peetu Piiroinen            FIN    Burton
 Shayne Pospisil            USA    Drake
Chad Otterstrom            USA    Rossignol