Kevin Pearce: The New 07/08 Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion
Stratton, VT, USA - After a full-out season of close calls and flawless victories, US snowboarder Kevin Pearce charged through the opposition, defeating his challengers and rising to the occasion to become the new 07/08 Men’s Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion.
Kevin Pearce, a Vermont native, was crowned at 04.30 pm U.S. EST at the base of Stratton Mountain in front of a mass of spectators applauding and cheering his achievement. Reto Lamm, President of the Swatch TTR World Tour, presented the Swatch TTR award – a 20-kilo metal and wood, custom made trophy for Pearce.
Kevin had one of the best season records in TTR history; his pursuits for the Swatch TTR Title beginning all the way back in August. A string of victories and podium finishes throughout the season brought him all the way to the top and he entered the 6-Star Burton US Open highly favoured.
His efforts began with a second place in the Halfpipe at the 5-Star Abominable Snow Jam in Mt. Hood, Oregon. Although he struggled in New Zealand, Pearce entered the Northern Hemisphere portion of the Tour in full force, dropping a huge Cab 1260 to win the 6-Star Nokia Air & Style in Munich/Germany. His success continued on the other side of the world in Japan, where Pearce finished fourth at the 6Star Nissan X-Trail Jam amidst a field of riders that had certainly stepped up their game since Munich.
Pearce’s streak of title victories was then unleashed in Laax / Switzerland at the 6-Star Burton European Open in a Halfpipe final that blew away every rider and spectator. Legendary Halfpipe rider Shaun White had laid down what was thought to be an unbeatable run and with the final run of the entire competition, Kevin Pearce proved to the world that he is right up there beside the best snowboarders in the world. Jaw’s dropped and voices were left speechless as Pearce began with a 10 right out of the gate straight into a second 10, followed by back-to-back 9s into a gargantuan Mctwist and ending with a stylish straight air. His run earned him the HP Title as he set his eyes on to Innsbruck /Austria.
At the 5-Star Billabong Air & Style Quarterpipe, Kevin once again dominated, claiming his second straight title. But he wouldn’t stop there. After winning last year’s Arctic Challenge in Oslo / Norway, Pearce went on to win his second consecutive 6-Star Oakley Arctic Challenge, stomping huge BS Airs, his epic Mctwists and a newly honed BS Rodeo 5. After his victory in Oslo, Pearce overtook Risto Mattila from Finland for the Tour lead.
The 6-Star Burton US Open however, was Kevin Pearce’s time to shine. With a 25% point bonus in both Slopestyle and Halfpipe, Pearce didn’t back down and drove it home to become the 07/08 Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion and taking home $ 50 000 USD. Kevin qualified for the Halfpipe finals right behind Shaun white. Stomping huge 9s, 10s, solid straight Airs and his massive McTwist, Pearce finished third in the US Open Halfpipe with an epic run, earning his first ever Swatch TTR Tour Title.
Saturday, March 22nd 2008 @ 05:36 PM.
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