Author: Anna Negri

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National Judges Education Clinic 2017/2018 – Report

At the end of September, the national judges education clinic went down in Bulgaria: Ivan Ivanov organised a great clinic and made all the judges feel great and embrace Bulgaria as it welcomed us with its usual Balkan hospitality.
Around 60 judges from 23 countries took part in this session and everybody was really satisfied for the great experience and outcomes, also thanks to the participation of Pat Duffy, legendary pro skater from California (also a skateboard judge).

The material, explained and showed during the clinic, was financed by the WSF and TTR to help all NSAs judges to provide the Judge Training in the Nation.

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The National Judges Education Clinic includes two parts. The first part is the PowerPoint presentation and the second part are videos for amplitude, trick recognition, difficulty and videos for deductions and for practice judging with steno and ranking. It is course divided into two days. The main focus on the first day is on theory with some videos and the focus on the second day is on practice judging. The content of the presentation should be well structured and should allow a training for both beginning judges and advanced judges. If you have only advanced judges participating in the clinic you don’t need to spend too much time on Judging and Snowboard basics. Instead you should focus more on the videos. Please feel free to add general information and news from your nation by yourself. You also can choose a subject by of your own  for the last point – special topics – or you leave it. Timetable wise feel free to change according to your needs wherever you feel like going a little deeper into it. As the judge director of your Nation you should know your judges and where some more focus on theory or practice would be appreciated.

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For deduction you have for each discipline Big Air, Rail, Slopestyle and Halfpipe 5 runs with small, medium and hard mistakes Men and Women mixed. For amplitude, trick recognition and difficulty you can choose some videos by yourself from the selection of all videos. I would recommend you to take some Men and Women mid level runs from Big Air, Rail Halfpipe and Slopestyle. The practice videos for Big Air, Rail, Slopestyle and Halfpipe you also have for Men and Women different level from low to pro level – attention there is not that many Slopestyle feeds (don’t waste them all for amplitude, trick recognition and difficulty).

 

For any further questions, feedbacks and material request, please contact directly Anna Negri (anna@worldsnowboardfederation.org), WSF general secretary, who will provide you with further information or get you in touch with the people in charge.

Photo Credits by Bartek Golebiowski

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Features News Reports

World Snowboard Federation announces new strategy and launches World Snowboarding

The World Snowboard Federation (WSF) today officially announces the completion of the merger with TTR Pro Snowboarding (TTR). Already for the 17/18 winter season, the merged organization will offer direct memberships and services for the sports key stakeholders: National Snowboard Associations, Event Organisers and Riders. All stakeholders will have voting rights in the WSF Annual General Meeting and representation on the WSF Board of Directors. All business operations and commercial activities will be provided by the World Snowboarding Marketing & Services GmbH, a company registered in Switzerland since 2011 and wholly owned by the WSF. This step marks the end of an era that began with the foundation of the WSF and the TTR in 2002 and the beginning of a new one with combined inherited values and culture ensuring the history of the sport will live on within its future framework.

Following a lengthy research project involving all of snowboarding´s key stakeholder groups, the WSF Board has approved the strategic plan proposed by an internal working group in a Board Meeting held in Zurich on Oct 4. A large cross section of National Snowboarding Organization’s, event owners and athletes were both interviewed and surveyed on the current situation within the sport and their needs. The overwhelming consensus of those surveyed has justified the relevance and essential existence of the WSF to the sport of snowboarding and its many stakeholders. This has led the board of the WSF to redefine its Vision and Mission statements as the foundation for the development and sub sequential implementation of the strategic plan.

VISION STATEMENT: ‘Inspiring people to participate, follow, and perform within snowboarding worldwide.’

MISSION STATEMENT: ‘To lead the development and growth of snowboarding worldwide, founded on its unique values and culture.’

As a first major strategic step in delivering our mission, the WSF has engaged in a dialogue with FIS to create a consistent and clear pathway for athletes and events at each stage of the sport development system. The desired outcome of discussions should see FIS and WSF work seamlessly within the proposed sports system servicing agreed components of the events pyramid eliminating confusion and simplifying the pathway for all stakeholders.

With its newly approved strategic direction, WSF will continue to focus predominantly on development of the sport and the events that fall into that arena on behalf of its NSO members, event members and the snowboard athletes worldwide. The WSF will continue to provide and maintain the world rankings for all freestyle disciplines (WSPL), the global event schedule and planning calendar, the Sports Data and Stats Center, an Officials Education Program, event resources and the bulk share of the world’s developmental snowboarding events and activities in service to its NSO, event and rider members.

Moving on – From World Snowboard Tour to World Snowboarding

The World Snowboard Tour, predecessor of the TTR World Tour, once represented the world´s largest collection of independent snowboarding events, ranging from entry level amateur events to the pinnacle events of the sport. With the changes in the marketplace over the last 3 winter seasons, what the World Snowboard Tour was originally built around ceased to exist or changed dramatically. Instead, the WST became a banner to unite snowboarding; the WSPL, whole of sport calendaring, judging education and a communications platform for the whole of sport in terms of competitions, rankings, rider information, stats and data, but no longer a tour in the original sense. With the merging of TTR and WSF, the World Snowboard Tour brand name will cease to exist. All existing and future services will be hosted under the new brand World Snowboarding on the World Snowboarding website (www.worldsnowboarding.org). The services will remain and be truly representative of the whole of sport. It will be the one stop shop for all information about snowboarding, its events and athletes.

‘With its legacy and foundation in the core snowboarding community, the WSF will strive to maintain the unique values and culture that its Mission Statement references. Snowboarding is an inspiring sport with a celebrated history and the WSF will do everything it can to keep that passion alive in the governance of our sport for the future generations of snowboarders.’

For more information and any questions please contact either:

WSF – General Secretary: Anna Negri anna@worldsnowboardfederation.org

WSF/World Snowboarding – Communications Manager: Rich Hegarty rich@worldsnowboarding.org

 

The websites of both the WSF organisation and World Snowboarding will be updated over the coming weeks to better inform of the new direction.

www.worldsnowboardfederation.org

www.worldsnowboarding.org

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Events Features News

Billabong presents: 5. Zillertal Välley Rälley hosted by Ride Snowboards

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Photo Credit: Gustav Ohlsson

From December through April, the Ästhetiker will be lining up the Billabong presents: Zillertal Välley Rälley hosted by Ride Snowboards with four stops all across the Zillertal again. The Zillertal Välley Rälley has become the most popular snowboard amateur series in Austria and offers great site events for all snowboard fans. The first tour stop will be kicking off at Hochzillertal Kaltenbach just before Christmas.

Registration will be open on December 1st at www.valleyralley.at.

The Billabong presents: Zillertal Välley Rälley hosted by Ride Snowboards is four weekends filled with world-class snowboard fun for everyone. The program includes everything from free freestyle coaching for all age groups to an open snowboard slopestyle contest for all men, women and kids.
Along with that, Ride Snowboards will have their latest boards and bindings to demo for free and a fun Limbo/High-ollie session at all tourstops. The highly coveted Billabong Best Trick award will be up for grabs at all events and the winner can look forward to a complete Billabong Outerwear kit. The contest winners will be awarded with great applause, glory and the infamous Ästhetiker medals that will be given out by the president Steve Gruber himself. In all categories, the podium winers will take home prize money and tons of goodies.

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Every contest result will give valuable points in the overall Välley Rälley ranking. The overall tour winners will be crowned at the last tour stop up on Hintertux Glacier as the new Royal Zillertal Välley Rälley family 2018. On top of all this, riders will gather points in the World Snowboard Tour Ranking. Once again, the Välley Rälley will be a part of the N.ASA Austriacups. The third contest in Mayrhofen will also count as a tourstop for the Super Grom Tour Tyrol by the N.ASA.

The overall results from the first three events will qualify the best man, woman and rookies for the Austrian Masters. The rookies can look forward to reduced-price wildcards for the World Rookie Finals 2018. Together with the tourism association of Zillertal.at, the participating mountain companies and local tourism associations and thanks to Ride Snowboards, Billabong, Red Bull, Dana Beanies and Greenroom Mayrhofen,  the Ästhetiker are pleased to announce the new schedule for 2017/2018!

1. Tourstop  16.-17.12.2017  Hochzillertal, Kaltenbach, Erste Ferienregion im Zillertal
2. Tourstop  20.-21.01.2018  Zillertal Arena
3. Tourstop  10.-11-03.2018  Mayrhofner Bergbahnen, Mayrhofen-Hippach im Zillertal
4. Tourstop  28.-29.04.2018 Hintertuxer Gletscher, Tux Finkenberg

All info, updates and registration from December 1st is on at www.valleyralley.at

17_03_11_zvr_mayrhofen_billy_cockrell_by_gustav_ohlsson_lowres_9-kopiePhoto Credit: Gustav Ohlsson

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Features News

Apply now to be the new WSF Communication and Media Relations Officer!

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The Communication and Media Relations Position for the newWSF is open. The job requirements and guidelines for proposal can be found here. The application deadline is October 4th, at 10.00am CEST.

 

For further request and to send your application, please write directly to Anna Negri, WSF General Secretary, at anna@worldsnowboardfederation.org, the applications received will be read and analysed before the strategic meeting in Zurich, on October 5th.

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Banked Slalom Events Features News report

The Fourth Annual Transfer Banked Slalom was epic!

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Boom! The Fourth Annual Banked Slalom went off with an absolute bang…and I mean bang! If you were in Thredbo this weekend and took part in the snowboarding celebrations you would know what we’re talking about!

All competitors we’re greeted with perfect conditions on Sunday to hit the course with speed and confidence. It was nothing but blue skies, spring sun and good times up at the all new course location ‘The Playground’. The course offered more long, drawn out turns, allowing for everyone to enjoy the course at their own pace…however by the looks of what went down throughout the day, the only pace everyone had on their mind was…FAST!

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It sure was one gathering of the tribe as the event welcomed every generation of snowboarder to come and get involved and and have a crack at some fast flying action. From grom women to masters men, everyone killed it both on their board and in spirit.

The Fourth Annual Transfer Banked Slalom was lucky enough to host some of the worlds best snowboarders this weekend off the back of Volcom’s event ‘BOARDSTOCK’. The likes of Terje Håkonsen, Pat Moore and Mike Ravelson showed to give the local boys and girls a run for their money and boy did the locals have to run!

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In the Open Women, it was Wiki Jones (fastest women in Thredbo) who took out the event with style, grace and most importantly…SPEED! Wiki was closely followed by the shred mum superstar herself, Abish Bright in second place and Amber Arazny flew through the course to take out third place.

The Open Men’s category was stacked deep with heavy hitters as mentioned above. In first place it was the man, the myth, the legend himself, Terje Haakonsen that was crowned king of the Fourth Annual Transfer Banked Slalom. Terje had local shredders Ryan Tiene and Jye Kearney close on his tail, Ryan just snuck in with second place followed by Jye for third.

TBS17 Podiums

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Events Features News

TTR/FIS/WSF Judge Session 2017

17_04_07_wrf_2017_friday_halfpipe_quali_66_joonsik_lee_photo_by_gustav_ohlsson_lowres_8The World Snowboard Federation (WSF) in collaboration with Ticket to Ride (TTR) and FIS are happy to invite you to the Judges Clinic 2017 that will take place in Sofia, September 22nd – 24th, 2017.

The goal of the third edition of this new international clinic is to create a uniform judging platform that spans all levels of snowboarding competition. This will make judging far more consistent for both the riders and judges alike.

Here the registration form that includes all information about certifications, program and accommodation.

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2017 Banked Slalom Events Features News upcoming events

Due to bad weather, the Transfer Banked Slalom has been postponed to Sunday, 17th September!

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Rev your engines!
The tournament of turns is taking place this Friday in the brand new location of Playground at Cruiser to turn and burn your way through the aussie snow gums.

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Pull on the leather gloves, sling yourself into the driver’s seat and get ready to haul arse across the Monaro mile and up to Mount Thredbo for the Australia’s fastest and slowest snowboarders will go bumper to bumper with the world’s best through burns, turns, sweeps and straights. From mild to wild, The Transfer Banked Slalom isn’t just a tournament of turns it’s a celebration of snowboarding.

Have a look at the event website for the latest news: https://www.thredbo.com.au/events/2017/transfer-banked-slalom/ and the blog

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2017 Banked Slalom Events Features News upcoming events

Transfer Banked Slalom is back, August 19!

They call it the days of days for snowboarders, etched from history the Transfer Banked Slalom in Thredbo has carved itself into a highlight of the Australian winter.

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The event embodies the very essence of snowboarding, with the Thredbo event bringing together the snowboard community – the old shredders showing the young guns old school moves while the fit and fearless float effortlessly through the carefully crafted course.

Consisting of berms, turns and jumps riders need to bring their A game to manoeuvre the technical but fun course to cross the line.  Features such as Galina’s Gully, a sweeping section, natural half pipe and a wall ride are sure to test riders on the day.  If there any tip to offer to get you over the line with a chance…wax that board and hold on.

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The good times don’t stop on your last turn, Saturday night head to Poolside at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel where Client Liaison fresh off a sold out national tour will take over the party. From the studio to the top end of town, Client Liaison’s sound plays out like a long lunch followed by a round of cocktails, a definite Thredbo crowd favourite.

The Transfer Banked Slalom is one event the guys at the establishment will never be able to get their hands on, so leave the competitive hunger at home and replace it with an 80’s inspired après outfit and a big smile.

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So what do you need to do now in order of priority to attend the Transfer Banked Slalom?
Lock in the date 19th of August
Book your trip and enter via the Thredbo eStore
Put in your leave form
Practice your turns
Go op-shopping to grab an outfit
Prep yourself for a weekend of fun

Have a look at the event website for the latest news: https://www.thredbo.com.au/events/2017/transfer-banked-slalom/ and the blog

Categories
Events Features News World Snowboarding

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT DATES FOR THE GLOBAL EVENT SCHEDULE

Dear Event Organizer!

The purpose of the Global Event Schedule is to collect the scheduled and planned dates of all snowboard events for the current and upcoming seasons to maintain a global event schedule and planning calendar for snowboarding.

The registration for the Global Event Schedule is not binding, free of charge and open to all events regardless of their affiliation or sanctioning.

Events can register their event dates for the seasons: 2017/18 – 2018/19 – 2019/20.

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What is the unified Global Event Schedule for?
A unified, comprehensive global event schedule helps events, athletes, coaches, organisations and other industry players to prepare the upcoming seasons. It helps to plan travel, reduces travel time and costs and will provide a foundation to organise the sport of snowboarding more effectively. It enables event organisers and organisations to identify and prevent potential date clashes and can thus ensure the best possible rider line up, medial and public attention for each event.

Tentative Status
Your event will be listed on the Global Event Schedule and shown with status “Planned”. Date of the event, disciplines and event level are tentative and may be subject to change. You can submit your event dates for future seasons and we will display events as planned until the dates are finally confirmed.

Confirmed Status
Once you have registered for the Global Event Schedule we will contact you at a later time and ask you to confirm your dates.The green icon indicates that this event has been confirmed with its dates, disciplines and event level.

Contact:
For any questions feel free to contact us at:
Simon Bischof: events@worldsnowboardtour.com
Meinhard Trojer: events@worldsnowboardfederation.org