OAKLEY Artic Challenge pressrelease
Oslo, Norway. As the snow falls thick and fast in the sub-zero temperatures of Oslo, organizers work around the clock to create the piece-de-resistance of Quarterpipes to welcome global riders for the upcoming TTR FIVE(5)STAR top snowboard event, The Oakley Arctic Challenge, 26th February- 03rd March, 2007.
The creative combination of up-coming transition talent and experienced snowboarders provides The Oakley Arctic Challenge 07 the best rider field yet. Riders qualified into The Oakley Arctic Challenge based on the current & 05/06 TTR Top Ten, a handful of wildcards presented by event owner Terje Haakonsen (NOR), and the top 3 podium winners from a qualifier event in Switzerland, Norway & the US. Already infamous amongst riders on the Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour, the resulting TTR FIVE(5)STAR action will determine a deciding direction for riders on the road to the Men’s TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion title.
As riders start accumulating more than six contest results, the margins are getting tighter amongst the battle for the TTR Top 10. A rider’s TTR ranking score is based on an average of a rider’s best six results in the season. Once a rider reaches over six results, the lowest TTR results are dropped from the accumulative score. The TTR Top 3 looks set for a drastic make-over as victory for the current TTR Top 10 riders at The Oakley Arctic Challenge will mean certain ranking change.
Current TTR World Nr 6, Kevin Pearce (USA), may become the new Tour leader with a win. The event will be Pearce’s (USA) 6th result on the Tour this season, and consequently only add to his TTR Ranking Points. If Pearce (USA) finishes anywhere in The Oakley Arctic Challenge top 7 he will move ahead of present TTR World Nr 1 Iouri Podladtchikov (RUS) and become the new TTR leader – by a potential margin of 29.47 points. Pearce’s (USA) average finish at TTR FIVE(5)STAR events this season is 3rd.
Also looking hot for change with the event title win is Danny Davis (USA). Currently holding TTR World Nr 5, this will be his 8th result on the Tour this season. Coming from a 2nd place result in Halfpipe at the recent TTR FIVE(5)STAR Nissan X-Trail Nippon Open, he dropped his second lowest score, 15th place in the Slopestyle at the TTR FOUR(4)STAR Burton New
Zealand Open. A win at The Oakley Arctic Challenge would see Davis (USA) drop his 7th place in the Halfpipe at the TTR FOUR(4)STAR Burton Abominable Snowjam, moving him to around 2nd on the current TTR Ranking List. For Davis (USA) to increase his TTR Ranking position, he must come 15th or higher (allowing him to drop the 7th place) – a likely scenario considering his average finish at TTR FIVE(5)STAR events this season is 15th.
Current TTR World Nr 8, Steve Fisher (USA), also looks good to boost his ranking position with an event win. As potentially his 7th result this season, Fisher (USA) would drop his 13th place in the Slopestyle from the TTR FOUR(4)STAR Burton Abominable Snowjam, and move him up to the TTR World Nr 3 spot.
Witness the pulsating action LIVE on Tac-TV from The Oakley Arctic Challenge in Midtstuen, Oslo available on www.thearcticchallenge.com. Warm-up sessions scheduled for broadcast from Monday through Friday, from noon until 15.00 C.E.T. LIVE webcasting also available of Finals from 02 & 03 March at 16:30 on www.freecaster.com
The Oakley Arctic Challenge 07 Confirmed Rider List
Terje HAAKONSEN (NOR) BURTONOAKLEY
Henning MARTHINSEN (NOR) NIKEACG
Steve FISHER (USA) HEADSMITH
Kevin PEARCE (USA) BURTONSCOTT
Danny DAVIS (USA) BURTONDRAGON
Mason AGUIRRE (USA) BURTON
Arthur LONGO (FRA) NITROVANSOAKLEY
Gian SIMMEN (SUI) ONEILLSANTACRUZ
Fumyuki MURAKAMI (JAP) FORUM
Takato TANIGUCHI (JAP)
Manuel PIETROPOLI (ITA) BURTONREDBULL
Dimi DE JONG (NED) ONEILLNITRO
Jake BLAUVELT (USA) FORUM
Daniel EK (NOR)
Miikka HAST (FIN) FTWO
Kim Rune HANSEN (NOR) BURTONANON
Dustin CRAVEN (CAN) 32CAPITAOAKLEY