Livigno, Italy, February 24th 2009: The 4Star Riverjump is back in 2009 after a one year absence, ready to bring Swatch TTR action back to Livigno. From March 4th – 6th 2009, an international contingent comprised of some of the top TTR snowboarders will descend on Italy to fight for two batches of 500 TTR ranking points and a € 20 000 Euro prize purse. Under lights, right in the centre of Livigno, riders will launch over the iconic ‘Spoel’ River in hope of improving their TTR World Ranking. Upcoming shred talent will also have the chance to take on the invited riders, with winners of a separate 4Star Slopestyle competition going through to Friday’ main event.
The set up will be overseen by the Swatch Mottolino Snowpark crew under the expert supervision of Roby Moresi, who designed the halfpipe in Bardonecchia for the Winter Olympic Games in Turin 2006.
In its short history the Riverjump has developed a repuation as one of Italy’s premier snowboard contests – a fact which has attracted some of Swatch TTR’s most talked about riders this year. Winner of the the 6Star Billabong Air & Style Innsbruck and World No.33, Colin Frei (SUI) will be in Livigno looking to move up into the TTR Top 30. He will be joined by fellow Air and Style podium finisher, World No.14, Olivier Gittler (FRA) who has had a strong season and will be aiming to improve his position in the TTR Top 20. Italian star, Manuel Pietropoli will carry the hopes of the nation on his shoulders and has a super strong chance to improve on his World No.40 ranking.
Also Sweden will be well represented by Chris Sörman, who currently sits in World No.24 and has the potential to move up.The contest will also be further bolstered by returning 2007 Riverjump title winner, Yale Cousino (USA) and Finnish rookie, Niki Korpela, two riders who have forged names for themselves by anhililating rails. This has been Niki’s breakout season on the Swatch TTR World Tour so he’ll be looking for a win to reassure everyone of his talent.
As the season end fast approaches lower ranked riders are also trying to improve their standings at many upcoming 3Star events. The Coors Light YLD Riders Cup Norquay Open is taking place in Alberta, Canada, February 26th – 27th, 2009. On February 27th, 2009 the Axis Slopestyle in Quebec, Canada goes down and March 1st, 2009 sees the Snowboard Challenge in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. A whole week of shredding will be going down at the Austrian Masters @ Shreddown from February 28th 2009 – March 7th, 2009 Innsbruck, Austria.
This season the riders’ 7 best results will be averaged to crown the rider who has dominated across all formats as final victor at the last 6Star event. A total prize money payout of over
