Author: mucca

Following a successful launch in the 05/06 season, the TTR Woman’s World Snowboard Tour experiences huge growth as the 06/07 Provisional Woman’s calendar demonstrates true global reach.

In its second season, the Woman’s Tour introduces the Star Tier system, growing from 6 events and possible 9 results to over 20 events offering more than 30 possible results. With the Tour kicking off at the Abominable Snow Jam at Mt Hood in July, the Tour offers non-stop snowboarding action for the duration of the Northern Hemisphere winter.

The TTR, founder of the largest culmination of independent Freestyle events acting under one common Tour flag, has finalized all Provisional calendar and operational details pertaining to the TTR Women’s World Snowboard Tour.

Won in 2005/2006 by reining World Tour Champion, Cheryl Maas(NED), the Tour has been tailored to service the increase in event stops compared to the previous season.

Kicked off in North America with the Burton Abonimable Snowjam in July, and followed by two events in New Zealand, the Burton NZ Open and Billabong Pro Junior. While the Billabong PR Junior in Australia and Burton Australian Open were both cancelled due to poor snow conditions, the tour now heads North with its next stop being the all women’s event The Roxy Chicken Jam in St Moritz, Switzerland (www.chickenjam.com).

Jamie Anderson(USA), took an early Tour Championships lead after her blazing performances at the Burton Abonimable Snowjam secured her double podium results consisting of a win at the Slopestyle and a third in the Halfpipe.

But as the Tour went South, it was fellow American Ellery Hollingsworth who stole the show, tipping the scales and staking her claim for the prized Tour leader spot. After Hollingsworth had secured an eighth and fifth at the Abonimable Snowjam she went down under and added a third and fifth to her spread of season results. The four format scores secured her the highest season overall average and gave her a dominant lead ahead of second placeed Hanna Beaman(USA). Beaman finished fourth overall on last season’s tour and now lies in second sport on the World Championships Rankings.

The 2006/2007 Women’s World Champion will be crowned during the seasons Tour defining event, The Roxy Chicken Jam which is held from the 22nd to the 25th March in Park City, Utah, USA. With the Champion being crowned at the North American based event, the five events that follow enable all other riders on the 23 stop World Tour further point scoring opportunity and will pen ultimately define the final Overall Women’s TTR World Tour Championships rankings.

All women competitors require 6(six) event format results to be eligible for a full end of season result. The best six results will be averaged, giving a final Championships Tour score and defining the Women’s Champion.

The women also receive the same points allocation as men. 1000 Points is available for a win in a 6(six) Star women’s format, with the points regressive progressively based on event Star allocation and a riders result.

Results from the previous season will count for seeding on the 2006/2007 Tour. The top five women from the final 2005/2006 TTR World Championships Rankings will be automatically invited to all 5(five) and 6(six) Star events, with the top two current placed riders on the 2006/2007 tour also being automatically seeded to start. The top two will be taken from the official TTR World Tour results listed by last event format held and will exclude pre-seeded riders from the 2005/2006 results.

In effect, this system guarantees entry by the very best riders to the very best events world wide, with additional credit given to riders in current Championships form.

Here is the first press release about TAC07 with some info about this main TTR event.

OAKLEY SIGNS ON AS TITLE SPONSOR FOR THE ARCTIC CHALLENGE 2007
Official English Press Release

The Arctic Challenge (TAC) today announced that Oakley, Inc. has been named as the title sponsor for its annual professional snowboarding competition to be held in Oslo, Norway February 26. to March 3., 2007.

THE OAKLEY ARCTIC CHALLENGE
“We are extremely excited to welcome Oakley as our title sponsor. Oakley has been with us since the event conception in 1999 and we have gradually evolved the partnership, said Henning Andersen, CEO of The Oakley Arctic Challenge”. As independent event organizers, we depend on partners that understand and share in our mission to put on one of the world?s most respected snowboarding event. Oakley provides us with resources, vigour and balanced autonomy necessary to put on a successful and prestigious event.”

Oslo, Norway
“Bringing The Oakley Arctic Challenge to an urban snowboarding centre like Oslo offers excellent branding and entertainment opportunities, said Pat McIlvain, sports marketing director, Oakley, Inc. “We look forward to helping take this years event to even greater heights and are currently working with The Oakley Arctic Challenge crew to develop unique concepts to enhance the experience for riders, audience and TV viewers alike.”

The 2007 competition will be held in Oslo, one of only a few capital cities in the world to have a full-fledged alpine resort within its city limits, but also with moments of great snowfalls. In fact this past winter, Oslo had its greatest snowstorm in 50 years – an amazing opportunity for the TAC riders and photographers to venture all over town for a highly creative “Urban Photo Shoot”.

TAC 2007 is divided in two parts
The Oakley Arctic Challenge 2007 is divided in two parts that combine the fundamental elements of snowboarding: competition, fun and outdoor experiences.The first part is the competition where superstars and talents will compete for one of the most prestigious titles in snowboarding. At the culmination of the event on March 3, 2007, a select group of riders will join Terje Haakonsen for the second part of the event: The classic free-riding and surfing trip to the North of Norway. More information on invited riders, qualifications, sports formats and the events agenda will be posted as they become finalized.

TTR World Snowboard Tour
The Oakley Arctic Challenge is proudly part of the TTR World Snowboard Tour. The event was scheduled in the TTR calendar from February 19. to 24., but as Burton made Nippon Open a TTR event the parties have worked together to avoid date conflicts. It was possible for TAC to move the event one week to secure the best interests of the TTR, the events and the riders.

www.the-arctic-challenge.com