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As 2003 approaches its climax and the world prepares to usher in
2004, 21 of the worlds ultimate freestyle snowboarders are finalising
their travel plans to rendezvous in Davos, Switzerland for the final
event of the year, the 2003 O’Neill SB-Jam (29th December 2003 –
1st January 2004).
Dominant forces
in snowboarding
Invited personally by event mastermind and O’Neill Team rider, Dani
Costandaché, the assembled field represent the dominant forces of
International snowboarding and the architects of its future. Having
secured amongst them the majority of the sports most prestigious
accolades, from top Arctic Challenge honours to World championship
titles and every relevant award in between, there is no doubting
that the 2003 SB-Jam invitee’s list is loaded, primed and ready
to go off!
Amongst the 21 distinguished invitees rising to the challenge is
last year’s ‘Ruler of the Night’, Andy Finch (USA). Finch returns
to Europe’s highest village looking to perfectly bookend his year
with a second win in the Swiss Alps. The notorious Marc André Tarte
from Canada, 2 times freestyle.ch champion will be aiming to continue
his domination of the international contest scene.
Ticket to Ride
winnners
Also entering the mix is a handful of finalists, from the first
two legs of this years TTR tour. Fresh from last weeks Air & Style
contest staged in Seefield, Austria, 3rd place Nicholas Müller joins
2nd place and TTR medal holder, Joni Malmi at the SB-Jam. While
from the X-Trail Jam event in Japan, ‘Big Air’ winner and O’Neill
Team rider, Gian Simmen (SUI) joins fellow event finalists, Heikki
Sorsa (FIN), Markku Koski (FIN) and Eero Ettala (FIN) for another
TTR bout.
Amongst the members of the O’Neill European team responding to their
invitations is master of consistency and ´Rider of the Decade´ Stefan
Gimpl (AUT). Norwegian tech machine Eirik Haugo also engages a position
and of course the field wouldn’t be complete with out master of
ceremonies, Dani Costandaché (SUI) laying down trademark lines in
his own back yard.
Invitees to date
Gian Simmen (SUI), Nicolas Müller (SUI), Dani Costandaché (SUI),
Andy Finch (USA), Abe Teter (USA), Marc André Tarte (CAN), Christoph
Weber (GER), David Benedek (GER), Xaver Hoffmann (GER), Giacomo
Kratter (ITL), Stefan Gimpl (AUT), Martin Czernik (CZE), Heikki
Sorsa (FIN), Joni Malmi (FIN), Eero Ettala (FIN), Markku Koski (FIN),
Eirik Haugo (NOR), Marius Otterstadt (NOR) and Quentin Robins (NZ).
Wildcat Sponagel
Swiss rider, Clot Sponagel (CH), has also confirmed his presence,
entering the fray via a wildcard position he earnt through his domination
of the Bluewin Fly Sessions series held in Switzerland. While Markus
Keller (CH) collects the 2nd event wildcard, gaining access directly
to the main event.
The remaining 7 final positions will be decided through the results
of the SB-Jam open qualifying sessions, scheduled for the 30th of
December. After an intensive, floodlit showdown 5 men and 2 women
will emerge from the 100 strong entry field and lock in to the remaining
vacant berths.
Top prizes
This year the 30 strong field will be competing
for the all encompassing title of Ruler of the Night as well as
the 3rd TTR medallion, granting access to the TTR tour final, the
Arctic Challenge in Norway. Also up for grabs are individual honours
on the rails, pipe and kickers, and a stake of the € 30.000 prize
purse.
The SB-Jam final, an hour long, hell for leather session, is guaranteed
to again be a supercharged affair. Add to the mix the Glühwein fuelled
New Year celebrations and 5,000+ buzzing spectators framing the
pipes coping; the stage is once again set for the now traditional
New Year SB-Jam sessions to lift off.
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