Oslo, Norway – February 12th, 2008: This is it. Get ready. The Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour is coming to the final stretch of the 07/08 Tour with the fifth of only six competitions at the SIX(6)STAR level on the horizon. The Oakley Arctic Challenge, set to hit Oslo, Norway with an onslaught of insane riding from February 18th to 23rd 2008, is sure to be an event of legendary status. The best Quarterpipe riders in the business will be competing for 1000 TTR Ranking points, a piece of the $100 000 USD prize purse and a sparkling new $25 000 Oakley gold watch.

Photo: Silva

But this competition isn’t just about awarding the greats with cash and prizes. Established by the man himself, Terje Haakonsen (NOR), The SIX(6)STAR Arctic Challenge has become an undisputed pillar in the history of snowboard progression, alongside the TTR Tour that Terje also helped to establish. Resulting from Terje’s dedication to the sport is a week long, rider driven competition devoted entirely to riders, with a clear-cut focus on progression and genuine snowboard values. Terje proved this at last year’s event, breaking the world record and soaring to 9.8 m.

Now, in 2008, eyes are again set on Oslo, where a new world record could be set and big ranking changes could occur, setting up a climactic and nail-biting end to the Tour at the SIX(6)STAR Burton US Open in March.

Last year’s Arctic Challenge champ and recent winner of the Billabong Air & Style Quarterpipe, Kevin Pearce has set himself up as the rider to beat in Oslo. Impressive results during the season thus far have put Pearce in a position to move into Swatch TTR World No. 1 if he finishes in the Top 10 at the Arctic Challenge.

The only other rider that can challenge Pearce for Tour Lead is Peetu Piiroinen from Finland. Piiroinen came third in Quarterpipe at both the SIX(6)STAR O’Neill Evolution in December and the recent Billabong Air & Style and could capture the TTR World No. 1 spot if he wins in Oslo and Pearce finishes 11th or lower. It will be incredible to see how this one plays out.

Piiroinen however, will also be hoping to hold on to his World No. 3 spot, as Halfpipe Title winner at the O’Neill Evolution Andy Finch (USA), looks to close the gap and move into the TTR Top 3. Markus Keller (SUI), Scotty Lago (USA) and Nicolas Mueller (SUI) will all be fighting for a spot in the TTR Top 10 as well.

French rider Arthur Longo will look to keep his place in the Top 15 while Kim Rune Hansen, Quarterpipe Title winner of the SIX(6)STAR O’Neill Evolution, attempts to move from 19th into the TTR Top 15. Manuel Pietropoli (ITA), who received the Swatch highest air award for his 8 m air at the O’Neill Evolution Quarterpipe, will also be one to look out for as he sets his sights on the TTR Top 20.

The SIX(6)STAR Oakley Arctic Challenge marks a crucial point on the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, as riders attempt to post their best six results for a chance at the Word Tour Title. The Top 10 men and Top 5 women will also be receiving a portion of the $250 000 USD prize purse. The last chance to enter the Oakley Arctic Challenge is to qualify through the THREE(3)STAR Arctic Open taking place just a few days prior. The winner and the highest air go straight from The Arctic Open to The SIX(6)STAR Oakley Arctic Challenge. Now is as important a time as ever for riders to throw down their best tricks to get a piece of the action.

The TTR crew will be in Norway all of next week bringing the freshest news, blogs and video updates from the Arctic Challenge to www.ttrworldtour.com. Information about the event can also be found on www.thearcticchallenge.com. Stay tuned as the THREE(3)STAR O2 World Rookie Fest, Arctic Open, and O’Neill Garden of Roses showcase the talents of up-and coming riders on the Swatch TTR World Tour.

Confirmed Riders List for The Oakley Arctic Challenge:
1. Kevin Pearce USA Burton
2. Kim Rune Hansen NOR Burton
3. Terje Haakonsen NOR Burton
4. Jake Blauvelt USA Forum
5. Arthur Longo FRA APO
6. Fumyuki Murakami JPN Forum
7. Takota Taniguchi JPN Allian
8. Manuel Pietropoli ITA Burton
9. Andy Finch USA Rip Curl
10. Colin Frei SUI K2
11. Markus Keller SUI Dragon
12. Scotty Lago USA Flow
13. Nicolas Muelller SUI Burton
14. Takaharu Nakai JPN Burton
15. Peetu Piiroinen FIN Burton
16. Shayne Pospisil USA Drake
17. Chad Otterstrom USA Rossignol

Points Allocation SIX(6)STAR OAKLEY ARCTIC CHALLENGE
1st 1000, 2nd 942.30, 3rd 900.00, 4th 868.06, 5th 842.41, 6th 820.00, 7th 798.79, 8th 780.00, 9th 763.35, 10th 746.89

2007/2008 - Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Ranking as of: 12/02/08
1. Mattila, Risto
2. Pearce, Kevin
3. Piiroinen, Peetu
4. Finch, Andy
5. Horgmo, Torstein
6. Guldemond, Chas
7. Podladtchikov, Iouri
8. Aguirre, Mason
9. Humphreys, Tim
10. Keller, Markus

ABOUT TTR:
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the SWATCH Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization representing the progression of snowboarding. The SWATCH TTR World Snowboard Tour is based on global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. Events are rated via a 1-through-6STAR system, with points allocated accordingly, a SIX(6) STAR event holds the highest. Any rider participating in these events, from up-and-coming to professional talent, earns ranking points and a position on the SWATCH TTR World Ranking List. The top male and female rider based on an average of their best six results of the season is crowned SWATCH TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion.