ESPN Snowboarding

Mammoth, California, USA (March 23rd, 2009)— The recent Burton US Open has not only crowned Peetu Piroinen (FIN) the 08/09 men's Swatch TTR Tour Champion but has also blown the door wide open for several possible contenders to claim victory at the upcoming 6Star Roxy Chicken Jam. The Swatch TTR premier women riders will gather at Mammoth Mountain, California from March 27th  29th, 2009, to battle it out for the Title and Top 3. Saturday's Halfpipe finals will offer up the first of two batches of 1000 Swatch TTR ranking points and will be the last chance before the Tour defining Slopestyle battle. On Sunday, March 29th, 2009, the epic race will conclude with the crowning of the next women's Swatch TTR World Tour Champion.

Current World No.1, Jamie Anderson (USA) was considered to be the strongest contender to claim the Swatch TTR Title; however, an injury at the US Open that temporarily takes her out of competitions has allowed other riders to close the gap on her.

Kjersti Oestgaard Buaas (NOR) took out the Slopestyle at the 6Star Burton US Open last weekend which elevated her into World No.7. She still requires two more results for her end of season ranking and the 6Star Roxy Chicken Jam presents her with an opportunity to seize the prized victory. Buaas must impress in Saturday's Halfpipe contest in order to be in position to make a run for the title, but standing in her way will be several other riders who are all equally hungry to take it out. Her main threat in the Halfpipe will be World No.9 Kelly Clark (USA). Kelly is considered a serious threat every time she drops and will be giving it everything she has in order to stay in Swatch TTR Title contention.

The Title hopefuls will have to run through a gauntlet of tough competition in their quest to raise the Swatch TTR Trophy. The battle for the Top 3 spots is set to be fierce with the riders fighting for a piece of the $200 000 USD total prize money and invites to major events next season. Sina Candrian (SUI) has decided not to compete at the event and could be bumped out of the the World No.3 position by the likes World No.8 Cheryl Maas (NED) and World No.4 Silvia Mittermueller (GER), two riders who have performed strongly all season long. Lisa Wiik (NOR) currently sits in World No.2 and if she can continue her awesome momentum she will secure herself a spot in the Swatch TTR Top 3.

Tune into www.ttrworldtour.com for fresh news live as it happens from the Swatch TTR 6Star Roxy Chicken Jam. Expand your Tour knowledge, study the rankings, watch videos and get the low down on all things TTR. The Swatch TTR World Tour Champion crowning is coming so be prepared to witness a historical moment in snowboarding history.