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Features WCSnowboarding

Brandon Davis and Jamie Anderson new Slopestyle World Champions

At today’s Slopestyle Finals of the Corona World Championships of Snowboarding, the US riders once again stepped up and put on world-class, impressive snowboarding show. Brandon Davis and Jamie Anderson were crowned the Slopestyle World Champions.

WCS16_SS_Brandon Davis_Sami_Tuoriniemi
Brandon Davis

Huge and stylish

In the backyard of Yabuli’s mountain inhabitants, the world’s best snowboarders showed the Chinese spectators riding skills they have never witnessed before. Brandon Davis (USA) convinced the judges with his huge and stylish third run showcasting a Fronstside 1080 Melon, a Backside Double Cork 1260 Nose and a Cab Double Cork 1260 Melon on the kickers. Combined with his creativity on the rails, he scored highest with 88.65 points, deserving the crown of the World Championships of Snowboarding Slopstyle. Max Parrot (CAN) grabbed silver before Stale Sandbech (NOR) who ended up on the third podium spot.

Jamie Anderson brings home her second World Champion title
Following her success as winner of the Big Air Finals, US rider Jamie Anderson sent it to moon in the women’s Slopestyle Finals. In a run where she scored 90.25 points, she went for high amplitude tricks on the kickers, laying down a Cab 720 Tail, followed by Switch Backside 540 Mute and a Frontside 720 Mute. Jamie shared the podium with silver medal winner Enni Rukajarvi (FIN) and Julia Marino (USA) who became third.

WCS16_SS_Podium_Women_Sami_Tuoriniemi

Coming up tomorrow: Halfpipe Exhibition with top riders live from Yabuli
On the last day of the Corona World Championships of Snowboarding, it will be held a Halfpipe Exhibition with the top riders, broadcasted live in China. In a common agreement with the riders, teams and coaches, and following the decision to cancel the full halfpipe event of the Championships due to critical conditions, the event organizers decided to host a creative Halfpipe Exhibition. The mission is to showcase halfpipe snowboarding to everyone travelling to Yabuli to watch the event, and to a greater audience in China via Chinese broadcaster CCTV.

Full Results Slopestyle

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Features WCSnowboarding

Who will be the next Slopestyle Champions?

Tomorrow, starting at 3 am Central European Time (CET) these are the riders who will battle it out at the mens and womens slopetyle finals at the Corona World Championships of Snowboarding: Tyler NICHOLSON, Yuki KADONO, Erich BEAUCHEMIN, Max PARROT, Nikolas BADEN, Stale SANDBECH, Ludvig BILLTOFT, Seppe SMITS, Brandon DAVIS, Mons ROISLAND, Enni RUKAJÄRVI, Jamie ANDERSON, Katie ORMEROD, Spencer O´BRIEN, Julia MARINO and Sina CANDRIAN.

WCS16_Enni_Rukajärvi_Sami_Tuoriniemi

Creative course, impressive riding
In the Chinese mountain town of Yabuli the world’s best snowboarders battled it out for the spots in the Slopestyle Finals of the Corona World Championships of Snowboarding. In some breathtaking snowboard action, the male riders put down
great runs on the creative course. Tyler Nicholson (CAN) left the heaviest impression on the judges by hitting the kickers with a Cab 1080 Melon, Switch Backside 900 Japan and a Frontside 1080 Mute. Yuki Kadono (JPN) qualified second throwing out a huge Switch Backside 1260 Melon on the first jump.

In the women’s Semi-Finals yesterday’s Big Air medalists Enni Rukajaervi (FIN) and Jamie Anderson (USA) stepped in up once more qualifying for tomorrow’s slopestyle finals together with four other female riders Katie Ormerod (GBR), Spencer O’Brien (CAN), Julia Marino (USA) and Sina Candrian (SUI).

Watch the Slopestyle Finals live!
Live streams from the Yabuli mountain will go out live accessible for the whole world – exclusive China. Webcasts are provided on EverSport.tv, or the websites of World Snowboard Tour www.worldsnowboardtour.com and the World Snowboard
Federation www.worldsnowboardfederation.org.

Women 10:00 – 11:00 local time / 3am – 4am Central European Time (CET)
Men 13:00 – 14:30 local time / 6am – 7.30am Central European Time (CET)

Chinese television stations CCTV 5 and HeilongjiangTV will broadcast the whole show for the audience in China

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Features WCSnowboarding

Peetu Piiroinen and Jamie Anderson crowned Big Air World Champions

In a spectacular display of world class snowboarding in front of an enthusiastic crowd with many people witnessing snowboard for the very first time, the Big Air World Champions were crowned today at the Corona World Championships of Snowboarding in Yabuli, China. Peetu Piiroinen (FIN) and Jamie Anderson (USA) are the new TTR and WSF Big Air World Champions.

WCS16_Jamie_Anderson_Sami_Tuoriniemi

Next level riding by the women
The women’s competition took off with a level of riding rarely seen in a competition to date. All the riders, both newcomers and the more experienced riders, pushed each other to new heights. In the end it was Jamie Andersen who could take home the gold medal and a 40 000 USD price purse. Anderson, one of the most-winning riders in the history of snowboarding, stomped a perfect Cab 720 Tail.

Fierce battles between the guys
In the men’s Big Air Finals, the riders where up for a fierce battle. In the end it was the young, Finnish veteran Peetu Piiroinen who landed the best trick, a perfect Cab 1440 Mute. He was followed by Kyle Mack (USA) on second place and Sebastien
Toutant (CAN) on third.

*Please find the full result lists to be found below.

WCS16_Podium_BA_Men_Sami_Tuoriniemi

WCS16_Podium_BA_Women_Sami_Tuoriniemi

10 Women advanced in today’s Slopestyle Qualifications
On mountain, the female Slopestyle riders fought for their spots in the Semi-Finals. Julianne O’Neill (USA) lead the riders field scoring 81.90 points in a super creative run which qualified her as first. The Semi-Finals will be staged tomorrow for both,
women and men.

Halfpipe competitions cancelled due to critical conditions
The halfpipe competitions at the Corona World Championships of Snowboarding 2016 in Yabuli, China were cancelled due to critical conditions in the interest of the safety of the riders. The decision was made jointly by TTR, WSF and the local organizing committee after an extensive consultation with riders, coaches and team managers. Ice rain on March 4th and 5th lead to difficult snow conditions, which did not allow shaping a safe world-class halfpipe in time for competition. The venue crew had tried everything possible to ensure a safe contest for both women and men. TTR and WSF would like to thank the riders and nations for their support and understanding.

Results Big Air Finals Men
1 27 PIIROINEN Peetu FIN 88.80 81.00 85.00 173.80
2 42 MACK Kyle USA 85.00 28.60 87.00 172.00
3 28 TOUTANT Sebastien CAN 92.80 15.40 78.20 171.00
4 166 TONTERI Roope FIN 80.60 65.80 87.00 167.60
5 1 GULDEMOND Chas USA 72.20 70.60 16.80 142.80
6 26 JAERVILEHTO Kalle FIN 87.80 29.20 41.80 129.60
7 29 PARROT Max CAN 14.60 90.00 18.60 108.60
8 39 THORGREN Sven SWE 82.00 22.80 25.20 107.20

Results Big Air Finals Women
1 173 ANDERSON Jamie USA 83.40 75.00 79.60 163.00
2 19 RUKAJÄRVI Enni FIN 76.40 17.60 65.80 142.20
3 176 JENSON Jessika USA 7.40 67.80 59.00 126.80
4 183 BLOUIN Laurie CAN 95.40 9.40 10..40 105.80
5 151 MARINO Julia USA 11.80 30.60 72.20 102.80
6 184 O´BRIEN Spencer CAN 11.20 12.80 15.20 28.00

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WCSnowboarding

Corona World Championships Big Air starts Friday

Big things are going to happen in the Big Air sessions, starting tomorrow here in Yabuli, China. Today’s training at the Big Air site went comfortably well despite the bitter cold conditions. All riders warmed up nicely with good feedback from all riders. The set up is slightly restricted in size by the venue but what it lacks in inches it makes up in safety.

WCS 2016 BA Practice Yuki Kadano

This year has been a big year for scaffold jumps, which can’t be groomed so the riders are relieved to have a all snow setup with a smooth in-run and landing to work with at World Champs. The rider field is 38 men 10 women packed with big names and a large variety of nations.

Yabuli China will be the first World Championships of Snowboarding to include Big Air as a discipline. Big Air has been a part of the World Snowboard Tour since the Ticket To Ride (TTR) first began but this it the first time it is included in a World Championships.

WCS 2016 BA Practice Niklas Mattsson

The title will be hard fought as becoming the first World Champion in Big Air and winning a 40,000 US$ chunk of the 160,600 US$ Big Air prize pool will be one of the greatest rewards in snowboarding today.

DOWNLOAD HERE THE STARTING LIST WCS2016_BA

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Features WCSnowboarding

Watch here the live stream from Yabuli WSC

The whole globe will be able to witness the riders to battle it out for the title of the new World Champions. All contest finals will be streamed via the premiere live streaming portal, EverSport.tv, which will showcase the competition through syndication partners globally, excluding China. In addition, live streams will be provided on the websites of World Snowboard Tour and the World Snowboard Federation. Chinese tv stations CCTV5 and HeilongjiangTV will broadcast all finals to the audience in China.

 

WEBCAST SCHEDULE – ALL TIMES ARE BEIJING, CHINA ‎(UTC+8)‎

SUNDAY, March 13

BIG AIR:

12:00 – 13:00 Men’s and Women’s Finals Practice
13:30 – 15:00 Men’s and Women’s Finals

TUESDAY March 15

Men & Women Slopestyle  Finals

08:30 – 9:30 Women’s Final Practice
10:00 – 11:00 Women’s Finals
11:30 – 12:30 Men’s Final Practice
13:00 – 14:30 Men’s Finals

WEDNESDAY, March 16

Men & Women HP Finals

08:30 – 9:30 Women’s Final Practice
10:00 – 11:00 Women’s Finals
11:30 – 12:30 Men’s Final Practice
13:00 – 14:30 Men’s Finals

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WCSnowboarding

World Championship of Snowboarding: strong rider line up and a perfect course

With the World’s best riders dropping in at Yabuli ski resort, the Corona World Championships are just about to start promising a top-notch line up in freestyle snowboarding. Shaun White has proven to the World that he is still the best pipe rider on the planet winning this year’s halfpipe at the Dew Tour in Mammoth Mt, California and just a few days ago taking out the Burton US Open title yet again in Vail, Colorado. When Shaun is on, no one can touch him. Shaun has confirmed that he will be competing in both Halfpipe and Slopestyle at the Corona World Championships in China this week.

Local boy Yiwei Zhang of China is doing the almost unheard of and has entered the event in all 3 disciplines of Big Air, Halfpipe and Slopestyle. He has the ability to do well in all 3 events and with a Chinese TV audience of 10 Million+ firmly focused on their local hero – this is his time to shine.

The real attraction for the Chinese audience will be the Women’s halfpipe where Jiayu Liu and Xuetong Cai are both currently sitting in the top 10 on the World Snowboard Points List and based on recent performances at Elite WST events could both be on the podium with their home town advantage and enormous local TV audience. * A complete rider list will be released after the full field has registered.

The Corona World Championships of Snowboarding courses are taking shape.

A global crew of some of the world’s best shapers is finishing off months of preparation on the course construction. All courses are going to be in perfect shape from tomorrow’s start of practice. The big air and halfpipe venues, placed at the side of the winter resort provide unique surroundings for the event. The spectator arena on the bottom of the big air jump was newly built for the World Champs, which will offer amazing stadium atmosphere during the contests.

I’m really excited about how everything is starting to shape up here in Yabuli. After weeks of work it’s going to be incredible to see all of the riders finally ride the venues tomorrow. We’ve got three days of practice ahead to gather feedback & dial everything in before we start qualifiers on Saturday. We had a great run through at each venue today with all the local staff & it was really impressive to see their dedication & enthusiasm. Despite speaking different languages, we’re all working towards the same goal of making this World Championships one to remember”. Liam Griffin – Competition Director.

Building the slopestyle in China has been super interesting. I have seen things I would not have expected, but I am really happy with the way it’s looking. There are some good transition options on the jibs and a cool twist on a transition roller in the course as well. Really looking forward to getting some rider feedback on it all.” Charles Beckinsale – Slopestyle course designer.

Halfpipe:

Length – 175m
Width – 19.5
Height – 6.7m
Angle – 17 degrees

Slopestyle:

Jump 1 – 16m
Jump 2 – 18m
Jump 3 – 20m – correct
Whale feature – new – size 15m

Big Air:

Inrun Length – 75m
Jump size – 13m
Jump Length – 18m
Landing Length – 35m
Runout Length – 38m

WCS 2016 Full Schedule – Watch the Live Streams of all Corona World Championships Finals here

WCS_Poster

TUESDAY, March 8

Arrival Day

WEDNESDAY, March 9

08:00 – 16:00 General Registration @ Combined Training Hall

Halfpipe & Slopestyle Practice::

09:00 –  12:00 Men’s and Women’s HP & SS Practice

13:00 –  15:00 Men’s and Women’s HP & SS Practice

16:00 – 17:00 OC Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

17:30 – 18:00 Rider Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

THURSDAY, March 10

07:30 –  16:00 General Registration @ Combined Training Hall

Halfpipe Practice:

09:15 – 11:15 Men’s and Women’s Practice

12:00 – 14:00 Men’s and Women’s Practice

Slopestyle Practice:

09:15 – 11:15 Men’s and Women’s Practice

12:00 – 14:00 Men’s and Women’s Practice

Big Air Practice:

09:30 – 11: 30 Men’s and Women’s Practice

13.30 – 15.30 Men’s and Women’s Practice

16:00 – 17:00 OC Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

17:30 – 18:00 Rider Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

 

 

FRIDAY, March 11

07:30 –  16:00 General Registration @ Combined Training Hall

Halfpipe Practice:

09:15 – 11:15 Men’s and Women’s Practice

12:00 – 14:00 Men’s and Women’s Practice

Slopestyle Practice:

09:15 – 11:15 Men’s and Women’s Practice

12:00 – 14:00 Men’s and Women’s Practice

Big Air Quals:

09:00 – 10:00 Men’s Quals Practice

10:15 – 12:00 Men’s Quals

12:00 – 13:00 Men’s Semi Practice

13:15 – 14:50 Men’s Semi

Big Air Practice:

15:00 – 16:00 Men’s and Women’s BA Practice

16:00 – 17:00 OC Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

17:30 – 18:00 Rider Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

SATURDAY, March 12

07:30 –  16:00 General Registration @ Combined Training Hall

Men SS Quals

08:00 – 9:00 Men’s Quals Practice Heat #1

09:15 – 10:50 Men’s Quals Heat #1

10:50 – 11:50 Men’s Quals Practice Heat #2

12:05 – 13:40 Men’s Quals Heat #2

Women HP Quals

8:00 – 09:00 Women’s Quals Practice Heat #1

09:15 – 11:15 Women’s Quals Heat #1

BA Women Semis:

13:00 – 13:45 Women’s Semis Practice

14:00 – 14:45 Women’s Semi Final

Practice:

14:00 – 15:30 Men’s and Women’s SS Practice

12:00 – 15:00 Men’s and Women’s HP Practice

09:30 – 11:30 Men’s and Women’s BA Practice

16:00 – 17:00 OC Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

17:30 – 18:00 Rider Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

18:30 – 20:00 Welcome Celebration

20:00 – 22:00 Party @ International Broadcast Center

SUNDAY, March 13

07:30 –  16:00 General Registration @ Combined Training Hall

Men HP Quals

08:00 – 9:00 Men’s Quals Practice Heat #1

09:15 – 10:35 Men’s Quals Heat #1

10:35 – 11:35 Men’s Quals Practice Heat #2

11:50 – 13:10 Men’s Quals Heat #2

Women SS Quals

08:00 – 9:00 Women’s Quals Practice Heat #1

09:15 – 11:35 Women’s Quals Heat #1

BA:

12:00 – 13:00 Men’s and Women’s Finals Practice

13:30 – 15:00 Men’s and Women’s Finals

Practice:

13:30 – 15:30 Men’s and Women’s HP Practice

12:00 – 15:00 Men’s and Women’s SS Practice

15:00 Awards

16:00 – 17:00 OC Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

17:30 – 18:00 Rider Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

MONDAY, March 14

07:30 –  16:00 General Registration @ Combined Training Hall

Men & Women HP Semis

08:00 – 9:00 Women’s Semis Practice

09:15 – 10:15 Women’s Semi Finals

10:15 – 11:15 Men’s Semis Practice

11:30 – 13:10 Men’s Semi Finals

Men & Women SS Semis

08:00 – 9:00 Men’s Semis Practice

09:15 – 11:20 Men’s Semi Final

11:20 – 12:20 Women’s Semis Practice

12:35 – 13:50 Women’s Semi Finals

Training:

13:30 – 15:30 Men’s and Women’s HP Practice

14:00 – 15:30 Men’s and Women’s SS Practice

16:00 – 17:00 OC Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

17:30 – 18:00 Rider Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

TUESDAY March 15

07:30 –  16:00 General Registration @ Combined Training Hall

Men & Women SS Finals

08:30 – 9:30 Women’s Final Practice

10:00 – 11:00 Women’s Finals

11:30 – 12:30 Men’s Final Practice

13:00 – 14:30 Men’s Finals

Training:

10:00 – 12:00 Men’s and Women’s HP Finals Practice

13:00 – 15:00 Men’s and Women’s HP Practice

15:15 Awards

16:00 – 17:00 OC Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

17:30 – 18:00 Rider Meeting @ Combined Training Hall

WEDNESDAY, March 16

07:30 – 16:00 General Registration @ Combined Training Hall

Men & Women HP Finals

08:30 – 9:30 Women’s Final Practice

10:00 – 11:00 Women’s Finals

11:30 – 12:30 Men’s Final Practice

13:00 – 14:30 Men’s Finals

15:00 Awards

20:00 Party @ Club Med Star Bar

 

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Events WCSnowboarding

Teaser 2016 Corona World Championships of Snowboarding

The World Championships of Snowboarding in Yabuli China are shaping up. Rapidly all of the pieces are falling into place ensuring perfect competition courses, easy accommodation options and smooth transportation options. The WCSnowboarding (World Championships of Snowboarding) organising committee have contracted a team of unquestionably the most experienced Superpipe, Slopestyle and Big Air shapers from around the World. Yabuli, China will provide a unique cultural atmosphere for a WCSnowboarding that will showcase the very best Elite snowbaording the world has to offer.

More info about World Championships of snowboarding Yabuli here.

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WCSnowboarding

Yabuli, Heilongjiang Resort for the 2016 Corona World Championships of snowboarding

Yabuli International Ski Resort, located at the southeastern part of Harbin and suited at the Zhangguangcai Range of Changbai Mountains, is 197 kilometers away from Harbin and 90 kilometers away from Mudanjiang City. Within the resort, there are mainly three high mountains: Daguokui Mountain with an elevation of 1374.8 meters, Erguokui Mountain with an elevation of 1100 meters, and Sanguokui Mountain with an elevation of 1000 meters.

More info about World Championships of snowboarding Yabuli here.

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Features WCSnowboarding

The Corona World Championships of Snowboarding are about to kick off in 2 weeks

We are pleased to welcome Corona as the event title sponsor, the number one Mexican beer enjoyed and shared in 186 countries around the world. Corona joins an impressive group of brands  teaming up for snowboarding’s true World Championships: the World’s largest bank ICBC, China’s leading sportswear brand Qiaodan / Jordan, global wearable camera pioneer GoPro, Chinese world leader in drone technology DJI, hotel resort chain Club Med and travel risk and crisis management provider Global Rescue.

Scuol, Switzerland / Yabuli, China, 25th February 2016

March, 9th to 16th 2016, the world’s best freestyle riders will compete for the World Champion titles in Big Air, Halfpipe and Slopestyle and a total of 500,000 USD in prize money at the Corona World Championships of Snowboarding 2016 in Yabuli, China. This marks the second edition of the true World Championships of Snowboarding, sanctioned by TTR Pro Snowboarding, the World Snowboard Tour and the World Snowboard Federation after the successful inaugural event in Oslo 2012.

In partnership with high profile brands, such as Corona, the WCS 2016 will bring snowboarding to the emerging winter sports market of China at a level of athletic performance never before seen in China. Over 200 of the world’s best athletes, including superstars such as Shaun White, Yuki Kadono and Chloe Kim, are preparing for one of the season’s highlights and the TTR World Tour finale.

The partnership between title sponsor Corona and the World Championships of Snowboarding is a perfect fit, both on and off the mountain. Riders will throw down their best tricks on the Corona rail and wallride, integrated into the Slopestyle course. Off the mountain, Corona will offer a relaxing moment for on-site athletes and audience after a tiring day, by hosting their legendary Sunsets Party for everyone to attend from March 13th- 16th in Yabuli.

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is the world’s largest bank and will provide its financial services to the Organizers.

One of the dominating players in the Chinese sportswear market, Qiaodan / Jordan supports the upcoming pinnacle event of the World Snowboard Tour, the biggest World Championship winter event that has ever been staged on Chinese soil.

Partnering with the world leader in wearable cameras, GoPro are bringing their expertise to the spectacular freestyle show. The GoPro box in the Slopestyle course is going to be one of the many memorable shots, filmed with GoPro cameras.

DJI drones are capturing the pinnacle event of the 2015/16 season from above, and giving spectators the chance to experience drone flying in the sponsor village.

Partnerships with the hotel resort chain Club Med and the travel risk and management firm Global Rescue enable the organizers to provide world-class services to riders, teams, staff at the WCS 2016.

Club Med resort will be the place to relax and wind down from an eventful day with an indoor pool. As a well-tested rescue provider Global Rescue has riders and staff covered in case of an accident.

About Yabuli
The Yabuli resort is a 3 hour drive from the pop.10 million city of Harbin, the center of China´s northeastern region. Yabuli is the largest and most well known winter sports destination in China.  Rapidly developing its reputation as an emerging winter sport powerhouse, China will host the 2022 Winter Olympics. In 2016, WCS will be the main professional elite championship event in China across any snow sport. In Yabuli, the Club Med Resort will be the preferred hub for all riders and international visitors ensuring western hospitality standards.

About the World Championships of Snowboarding
The World Championships of Snowboarding (WCS) is the pinnacle snowboarding event organized by TTR Pro Snowboarding and the World Snowboard Federation. The WCS crowns snowboarding’s true World Champions in the disciplines of Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Big Air. It is a high calibre celebration of the sport held every 4 years, bringing together 400 riders representing 43 WSF Member Nations, staged by alternating resort locations around the world. In 2016, Yabuli resort, the largest winter sports resort in China will host the 2nd edition of the World Championships of Snowboarding. 

Media Contact World Championships of Snowboarding:
Rich Hegarty
rich@WCSnowboarding.com

Categories
Events Features WCSnowboarding

World’s Best Snowboarders are Heading To People’s Republic of China

On March 9th to 16th the world’s top freestyle snowboarders will drop in at the 2016 Corona World Championships of Snowboarding in Yabuli, People’s Republic of China, battling for the titles in Slopestyle, Halfpipe and for the first time also in Big Air with 500,000 US$ in prize money. With less than a month to go, the confirmed rider field is without a doubt the strongest in recent history. Amongst the 250 competing riders are all the stars that snowboarding has to offer including Kelly Clark, Jamie Anderson, Shaun White and Mark McMorris. This event marks the first time People’s Republic of China will host a top-level international snowboarding competition in all 3 disciplines.

Defending Champions
The four defending World Champions will be in Yabuli defending their titles won at Oslo 2012. Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI) current world number 2 in men’s halfpipe, Kelly Clark (USA) current world number 1 in women’s halfpipe, Chas Guldemond (USA) and Spencer O’Brien (CAN) in the men’s and women’s slopestyle events.

WCS Picks From The Field of Players
Current pick with the odds tipped in their favor in men’s slopestyle is Mark McMorris (CAN), who’s won almost every event he’s entered in the past few seasons is the man most people will be betting on to take the 2016 World Championship title. He will be followed closely by his fellow teammate Sebastien Toutant (CAN), Japan’s Yuki Kadono and Norway’s Ståle Sandbech.

Jamie Anderson (USA) is the odds-on favourite for women’s slopestyle, but with the rail and jib feature heavy course Kiwi jibber Christy Prior (NZL) could prove to be her toughest competition. In men’s halfpipe the all-time favourite Shaun White has his eyes on the prize, but young Japanese superstar Ayumu Hirano is hot on his heels with consistent big wins upping his ante. Tipping the scales, American heavy hitters Matt Ladley and Taylor Gold will prove challenging for Iouri Podlatchikov (SUI) in defending his title.

The women’s halfpipe is going to be a close one; leading lady Kelly Clark (USA) faces some stiff competition from the up-and-comers in the women’s pipe scene who’ve been proving their worth at the Elite level events over the past seasons, with the likes of Chloe Kim (USA) and Arielle Gold (USA) consistently taking out the top podium spots.

All New Titles
The World Championships of Snowboarding in 2016 introduces all new Big Air Champion titles in the men’s and women’s big air discipline, where our picks for taking out the top spots are Torgeir Bergrem (NOR) or Max Parrot (CAN) in the men’s and defending champion Spencer O’Brien (CAN) or Anna Gasser (AUT) in the women’s. With all of the best big air athletes competing, our chosen favourites will face some seriously tough competition from the entire field of big air contenders.

Top Riders Confirmed For WCS 2016:

Slopestyle Men

Chas Guldemond (USA) (Current defending World Champion)
Mark McMorris (CAN)
Tyler Nicholson (CAN)
Stale Sandbech (NOR)
Darcy Sharpe (CAN)
Yuki Kadono (JPN)
Sven Thorgren (SWE)
Niklas Mattsson (SWE)
Eric Beauchemin (USA)
Mikey Ciccarelli (CAN)
Max Parrot (CAN)

Slopestyle Women

Spencer O’Brien (CAN) (Current defending World Champion)
Jamie Anderson (USA)
Anna Gasser (AUT)
Christy Prior (NZL)
Cheryl Maas (NED)
Elena Koenz (SUI)
Enni Rukajärvi (FIN)
Karly Shorr (USA)
Jessika Jenson (USA)
Silje Norendal (NOR)

Halfpipe Men

Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI) (Current defending World Champion)
Shaun White (USA)
Ayumu Hirano (JPN)
David Habluetzel (SUI)
Max Gold (USA)
Jan Scherrer (SUI)
Taku Hiraoka (JPN)
Matthew Ladley (USA)
Christian Haller (SUI)
Pat Burgener (SUI)

Halfpipe Women

Kelly Clark (USA) (Current defending World Champion)
Chloe Kim (USA)
Arielle Gold (USA)
Maddie Mastro (USA)
Summer Fenton (USA)
Hikaru Oe (JPN)
Mirabelle Thovex (FRA)
Kurumi Imai (JPN)

Big Air Men

Torgeir Bergrem (NOR)
Max Parrot (CAN)
Yuki Kadono (JPN)
Sven Thorgren (SWE)
Sebastien Toutant (CAN)
Billy Morgan (GBR)
Mark McMorris (CAN)
Keita Inamura (JPN)
Stale Sandbech (NOR)
Darcy Sharpe (CAN)
Kalle Jaervilehto (FIN)

Big Air Women

Lia-Mara Boesch (SUI)
Cheryl Maas (NED)
Elena Koenz (SUI)
Spencer O’Brien (CAN)
Enni Rukajärvi (FIN)
Silje Norendal (NOR)
Katie Ormerod (GBR)
Sina Candrian (SUI)
Christy Prior (NZL)
Jamie Anderson (USA)
Anna Gasser (AUT)

Event Schedule

March 8th: Arrival of athletes
March 9th: Practice and event kick off
March 10th: Qualifications Halfpipe and Slopestyle
March 11th: Qualifications Halfpipe and Slopestyle / Quali’s & Semi’s Big Air
March 12th: Qualifications Halfpipe and Slopestyle/ Quali’s & Semi’s Big Air
March 13th: Qualifications Halfpipe and Slopestyle/ Big Air finals
March 14th: Semi-finals Halfpipe and Slopestyle
March 15th: Slopestyle finals
March 16th: Halfpipe finals

About Yabuli
The Yabuli resort is a 3-hour drive from the 10 million city of Harbin, the center of People’s Republic of China´s northeastern region. Yabuli is the largest and most well-known winter sports destination in People’s Republic of China.  Rapidly developing its reputation as an emerging winter sport powerhouse, People’s Republic of China will host the 2022 Winter Olympics. In 2016, WCS will be the foremost professional elite championship event in People’s Republic of China across any snow sport. In Yabuli, the Club Med Resort will be the preferred hub for all riders and international visitors ensuring western hospitality standards.

About the World Championships of Snowboarding
The World Championships of Snowboarding (WCS) is the pinnacle snowboarding event organized by TTR Pro Snowboarding and the World Snowboard Federation (WSF). The WCS crowns snowboarding’s true World Champions in the disciplines of Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Big Air. It is a high caliber celebration of the sport held every 4 years, bringing together 300 riders representing 43 WSF Member Nations, staged by alternating resort locations around the world. In 2016, Yabuli resort, the largest winter sports resort in People’s Republic of China will host the 2nd edition of the World Championships of Snowboarding.

Media Contact World Championships of Snowboarding:

Rich Hegarty
rich@wcsnowboarding.com
www.worldsnowboardtour.com
www.wcs2016yabuli.com