Iouri Podlatchikov takes the Evolution Halfpipe
Switzerland is celebrating: with Iouri Podlatchikov in first and Markus Keller in second place the Swiss riders ruled against top European snowboarders in the halfpipe of the 6Star O'Neill Evolution
Switzerland is celebrating: with Iouri Podlatchikov in first and Markus Keller in second place the Swiss riders ruled against top European snowboarders in the halfpipe of the 6Star O'Neill Evolution today. Peetu Piiroinen came in third collecting enough points to move into World No. 2 narrowing the gap to current Tour leader, Marko Grilc (SLO). With another batch of points available in the 5Star slopestyle format tomorrow, chances are high for Piiroinen to take the lead from Grilc.
"Tomorrow I just want to have fun. But I will do my best." says Piiroinen after the prize giving. With the possibility to take the Tour lead tomorrow, Piiroinen is also on the right track to become the first snowboarder ever to win two consecutive World Champion titles. "That is my goal for this year and of course the Olympics."
Iouri Podlatchikov takes the Evolution 10 Halfpipe title
Photo: O'Neill
After a great level of riding in the semis, the remaining riders kicked it up a notch for the finals. Iouri Podlatchikov took home his first major title of his TTR career with a run consisting of a FS 540, BS 900, FS 1080 and Cab Double Cork 1080. With Podlatchikov and Piiroinen both showing double corks, Keller was the only one who made the podium without doing the new benchmark trick. However, he was packing the amplitude and was one of the most stylish riders out there with some technical trick combinations. Markus was also the winner of the Swatch Highest Air prize of $5,000 for his 4.2m defiance of gravity.
Markus Keller, 2nd in the Evolution 10 Halfpipe
Photo: O'Neill
Most surprising rider was Finnish youngster Ilkka-Eemeli Laari (FIN) who did not only show doublecorks but also ruled with high amplitude and clean style. He is quite a new face on the Swatch TTR Tour and will have to prove himself in the upcoming contests. Current World No. 1, Marko Grilc (SLO), finished just outside the Top 16 and is now looking forward to the Slopestyle semis tomorrow, Saturday, 8th January 2010.
Final Result
1. Podladtchikov Iouri Volcom
2. Keller Markus Nitro
3. Piiroinen Peetu Burton
4. Malin Markus 32 Snowboard
5. Laari Ilkka-Eemeli Burton
6. Haller Christian Burton
7. Sandbech Stale Oakley
8. Yoshida Masakaze Kissmark
9. Austbo Fredrik Quiksilver
10. Hosokawa Kosuke Kissmark
11. Simmen Gian O`Neill
12. Kleivdal Roger Sweet
13. Mattila Risto Drake
14. Grimsrud Per Iver Nitro
15. Smits Seppe Burton
16. Wakeham Dan Grenade
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Davos
The best overall resort in Switzerland offering something for everyone. Huge pisted area and excellent freeriding spread across 5 mountains, and not to mention the terrain park and 2 halpipes. Direct train services and good local services complete the package, but go mid-week to avoid the masses.