Braaten Victorious At Volkl World Rookie Fest

E365 -- The Swatch TTR 3-Star Völkl World Rookie Fest took place this weekend showcasing an incredible array of future snowboarding stars. Norwegian rider Gjermund Braaten took first place among the male rookies, claiming 550 TTR Ranking Points and the title of World Rookie Champion 2008.

He is now in World No. 53 of the Swatch TTR ranking. Kari Maeland from Norway was the victor in the female rookie field moving her into TTR World No. 35 while Dimi De Jong (NED) came out on top among the male groms.
 
The set up of the last World Rookie Fest of the season, powered by Völkl, was highly impressive with two kickers and several rails making up the Slopestyle set up. The competition format was based on a three-run format with judges scoring riders on overall impression on both the rail and kicker lines.

On the qualification day thirty-five selected youngsters from twelve countries fought for the last few spots in the finals of which eight were already assigned to the standout snowboarders from the previous World Rookie Fests in Italy and Czech Republic as well as several 1 and 2-Star rookie events world wide.
 
The level of riding was sick and culminated in a great finale on Saturday. Gjermund Braaten emerged as the most impressive rider of the event with a massive switch BS7 and Cab 9. For his impressive riding and accomplishments, Gjermund was awarded the 2008 World Rookie Champion title, a ticket to the Nokia Air & Style rookie challenge in Munich, a trip to Canada to be featured in the next Pirate Movie Production 'Boarbegged' and finally a ‘Fresh Meat’ profile in Method Snowboard Magazine.
 
The best trick of the 3-Star Völkl World Rookie Fest came from Finnish rider Petja Piiroinen who stomped a huge BS 7 on the 20m kicker. Giorgio Ciancaleoni from Italy combined several 720s on the kickers and also laid down the sickest rail trick of the day, a 270 in on the kinked, and took the second overall position of the male rookies.

Kari Maeland impressed the judges with huge spins and technical rail tricks, efforts that earned her an invitation to a photo shooting in Italy by Snowpark.it. As usual, Norway won the best team of the rookie fest obtaining a holiday on Garda Lake, Italy. Many of the finalists also won tickets to the World Rookie Fest 2009 in Livigno and for the best groms, Dimi de Jong with an insane FS 9 Tailgrab and Maria Delfina Maiocco (ITA) earned a Golden Card to join every WRF 2009 for free.

The final 3-Star competition of the 07/08 Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour was a massive success and set the stage for up and coming grom and rookie riders who are sure to storm the snowboarding scene in the approaching seasons.

FURTHER SURFIN'