Snow

Smits Claims 2012 TTR Big Air World Title

Peetu Piiroinen (FIN) won the 6Star Billabong Air&Style at the Bergisel Stadium in Innsbruck over the weekend, excelling with steady Backside 1260 mute grabs all night long. Seppe Smits (BEL) took the overall TTR Big Air Tour Trophy 2012 home after coming in second, closely followed by Niklas Mattsson (SWE).

'Winning the Big Air Tour Trophy was unexpected, I was very happily surprised,' said Smits.

Piiroinen, who won tonight with a clean and stylish Backside 1260 mute grab, was one of the first to congratulate the new champion. Peetu is back after struggling with injury, but is again landing all his tricks with seemingly exceptional ease.

'It was a great night," said Peetu, "and it felt really good being here. This was definitely one of the hardest competitions for me, with everyone stomping it.'

Amid icy conditions, 12500 spectators set fire to the Bergisel stadium for one of the most thrilling Air&Style competitions ever. With the final scores not more than 0.6 points apart, it was clear the riders gave it their all.

Peetu Piiroinen took home the ring of glory and another 1000 points for the World Tour Rankings. Swede Niklas Mattsson, who rounded out the podium, also excelled after holding his own against his more favoured opponents in the final, including former Air&Style winner Sebastien Toutant (CAN). Niklas got the crowd to go wild with his second run, a Frontside 1080 Double Cork Mute Grab.

Eric Willett (USA) earned the second highest score of the night with a Switch Backside 1260 Double Cork Mute Grab worth 94.0 points, but failed to make the Superfinal after encountering Peetu Piiroinen in the second round. He had the biggest chance of winning the Big Air title, but missing the final on the night meant he had to watch Seppe claim the championship.

Tonight's performances had a major influence on the TTR Overall Tour Ranking, with Seb Toutant now leading the pack and Stale Sandbech (NOR), Roope Tonteri (FIN), Seppe Smits and Eric Willett all moving up.

The TTR World Tour will move to Oslo, Norway next from 10-19 February, crowning male and female Halfpipe and Slopestyle World Champions at the first World Snowboarding Championships for snowboarders by snowboarders since 1999.