Burton US Open
Twenty-five years ago, snowboarders were still using ropes to steer their boards, riders were banned from almost all resorts and Shaun White wasn’t even born yet. But in 1982, the spirit of snowboarding was alive and well when a core group of riders including Jake Burton Carpenter gathered to compete at a tiny resort in southern Vermont. Thus, the US Open was born.
“The Open has come a long way since we used an upside down kitchen table as a starting gate,” says Jake Burton, Founder and Chairman of Burton Snowboards. “The level of riding, the prize money and the media attention have all gone off. What hasn’t changed is the laid back vibe of the event and the hardcore nature of the spectators. Snow, rain or shine, the fans will be out there watching the events. The riders appreciate that and usually reward the crowd with some of the best riding of the year. I can’t wait to see the show.”
Now, in 2007, the Burton Global Open Series presented by Motorola is proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the renowned TTR SIX(6)STAR US Open Snowboarding Championships, taking place from March 12-18, 2007 at Stratton Mountain, Vermont. The only snowboard competition to take place for 25 consecutive years, the US Open promises to attract top snowboarders and over 30,000 spectators to watch the world’s best riders compete for more than $250,000 in prizes.
Both the Men’s TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion and Burton Global Open Series male and female champions will also be announced on Saturday at the US Open where they will each receive $100,000 – the largest single title payout in snowboard history.
Final competitions begin on Friday, March 16 at Stratton’s Sun Bowl with the men’s and women’s slopestyle finals. Saturday, March 17 is action-packed with the men’s and women’s halfpipe finals, the Burton Global Open Series men’s and women’s championship announcement, the Men’s TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion announcement, the evening big air event and a free, live concert. The event wraps up on Sunday, March 18 with the Junior Jam halfpipe finals.
Stratton Mountain Resort, which has been the home of the US Open since 1985, is already working around the clock to build the best possible halfpipe, big air and slopestyle features for the riders.