Date: 27.03.2007
Updated: 8.12.2008 07:04

By: TTR press office

---

The Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour proudly welcomed two new champions to the wall of glory as the second annual crowning of the Men’s and Women’s TTR World Champions went to snowboard stars, Shaun White (USA) and Torah Bright (AUS).

Legendary TTRSIX(6)STAR event, the 25^th Burton US Open Snowboard Championshipshosted byStratton/Vermont, provided the platform for the declaration of Shaun White (USA) asthe new Men’s TTR World Snowboard Tour 06/07 Champion, on Saturday, 17th March, 2007. Taking over the title from Mathieu Crepel (FRA), TTR’s first-ever male Champion, White (USA) marked his victory through a 1^st place win at Halfpipe and 3^rd place finish at Slopestyle, giving him enough points to earn the title ahead of closest contenders Travis Rice (USA) and Antti Autti (FIN).

White’s (USA) path to the Championship victory began at the start of the season with a 5^th place Stadium Slopestyle result at infamous TTRSIX(6)STAR eventNokia Air&Style, Munich, December 06. An invite to the Quarterpipe/Big Air formats at the TTRSIX(6)STAR Nissan X-Trail Jam, Tokyo Dome, the following week secured him his first of four 1^st place TTR wins. White (USA) returned toJapan in February07, to take podium 1^st and 2^nd at Halfpipe & Slopestyle, respectively, at TTR FIVE(5)STAR Nissan X-Trail Nippon Openin the resort of ALTS Bandai. Back home in the States in March 07, White (USA) magnificently scored his third 1^st place win at TTR FIVE(5)STAR event World Superpipe Championshipsin Park City/Utah and continued his winning streak at tour-defining event TTRSIX(6)STAR25^th Burton US Open Snowboard Championships. With seven TTR results under his belt, White (USA) dropped his lowest scoring result, his 2^nd place Slopestyle finish at the Nissan X-Trail Nippon Open, to secure his average best 6 result score of 986.23 TTR Ranking Points – and become the Men’s TTR World Champion 06/07.

A jubilant White (USA) stated: ‘I’m really proud to win the title. TTR is a great way for kids to build up their careers. I’m stoked on becoming the TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion!’

Top girl-only TTR SIX(6)STAR event, theRoxy Chicken Jam located in Park City/Utah provided the perfect stage at which to crown an elated Torah Bright (AUS) as the second Women’s TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion 06/07 on Saturday, 24th March, 2007. Presenting the award to Bright (AUS) was first-time TTR Champion and title contender Cheryl Maas (NED). Bright’s (AUS) podium 2^nd and 3^rd results at Halfpipe & Slopestyle respectively, secured her Championship title after notable season challenges from nearest rivals both Maas (NED) and 16-year-oldJamie Anderson (USA).

Amassing ten TTR results this season, Bright’s (AUS) road to Champion success began in August 06, in the Southern Hemisphere at the FOUR(4)STAR Burton New Zealand Open, in Snow Park/NZE. An 8^th position in Halfpipe was Bright’s (AUS) lowest all season - soon-to-be dropped from her overall 6-result score. Kaprun, Austria, host of the European leg of TTR SIX(6)STAR Roxy Chicken Jam in December 06 provided the location of her Slopestyle 4^th place result. Hopping in February 07 to Mt Bachelor, USA and ALTS Bandai, Japan, Bright’s 4^th place Halfpipe placing at TTR FIVE(5)STAR Chevrolet Grand Prix, plus6^th place Slopestyle /1^st place Halfpipe finishes at TTR FIVE(5)STAR Nissan X-Trail Nippon Open were all eventually dropped from her overall TTR score. It was America in March 07 that proved to be Bright’s (AUS) blazing month of glory as she hit podium at every TTR contest she rode: 1^st place Halfpipe winner, TTR FIVE(5)STAR World Superpipe Championships, Park City/Utah; 2^nd place Slopestyle & 3^rd place Halfpipe finisher, TTRSIX(6)STAR25^th Burton US Open Snowboard Championships, Stratton/Vermont; and finally, her  2^nd & 3^rd results from the USA leg of tour-defining event TTR SIX(6)STAR Roxy Chicken Jam accumulating 977.2 TTR Ranking Points for the Women’s TTR World Champion 06/07 title.

On her victory, an overwhelmed Bright (AUS) stated: ‘Winning the TTR title is amazing – I am absolutely speechless! TTR is just what we need in snowboarding – it’s amazing to have a title that can legitimize the sport and ourselves as authentic athletes.

Each event was the stage in the TTR calendar at which no rider could earn any more TTR points following this to actually beat the rider at the World Nr 1 position on the TTR Ranking List presented by Swatch. Each tour-defining event received an extra 25% in TTR Ranking Pointsfor Superpipe and Slopestyle formats to ensure Tour Champion victories. Both riders win TTR title honours for one season.

Post-crowning the TTR Tour Champions, the calendar continues through to the end of April 2007. All TTR contests attended until then will provide riders with TTR Ranking Points for the 06/07 TTR Ranking List presented by Swatch to add to their overall ranking score until May 01^st, 2007.

For further information on TTR, Ranking List, Rider Profiles and Event please contact/click:

TTR: Wendy Woo - press (at) ttrworldtour.com / www.ttrworldtour.com