The 10th annual Burton European Open (BEO) is gearing up to be one of the season?s most exciting snowboard events as many of the world?s best riders get ready to compete in LAAX, Switzerland from Jan. 9-16, 2009. The third Burton Global Open Series event of this season and a 6Star Swatch TTR event, the BEO offers a prize purse of $125,000 and two new Volvo XC 60s for the male and female overall winners.
All invited riders are confirmed, and all open spots have been filled. Around 300 riders from 24 different countries ? from amateurs to rookies to pros ? registered online for a spot in the halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines. Riders from Europe, US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and even Israel are expected to join this year?s anniversary event.
All riders who make it through the qualification rounds will have the chance to battle with the world?s top riders, among them last year?s Swatch TTR World Champion 07/08 and defending BEO Halfpipe Champion Kevin Pearce from the US. Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, who just won the Nissan X-Trail Jam in Tokyo last weekend, is defending his BEO 08 Slopestyle title and will be going after the BEO Halfpipe crown this year. Last year?s BGOS Champion Peetu Piiroinen will be one of the hottest candidates for a podium spot in both Halfpipe and Slopestyle, especially after his second place finish in the Big Air competition at last weekend?s Nissan X-Trail Jam. Shaun, Kevin and Peetu will be joined by an armada of former BEO winners including Keir Dillon/USA, Nicolas Müller/SUI, David Benedek/GER, Heikki Sorsa/FIN, Mikkel Bang/NOR and Andy Finch/USA.
For the ladies, two-time BEO winner and Olympic gold medalist Kelly Clark/USA will try to earn her third BEO victory. Kelly has gotten off to a strong start this season with a third place finish at the New Zealand Open halfpipe event and a first place title at the season?s first Grand Prix at Copper Mountain last weekend. Also confirmed is reigning Swatch TTR World Champion 07/08 Jamie Anderson, who is currently in first place for the 2009 BGOS $100,000 title after three first place finishes at the New Zealand and Australia Opens in August.
If you can?t make it to Switzerland, watch the BEO semi-finals and finals live on Go211.com, where webcasts and highlights of the competitions will also be available for on-demand viewing once the event is over.
For more information about this year?s BEO, check out www.opensnowboarding.com
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Event Schedule for the Burton European Open 2009:
Friday, Jan. 9: Slopestyle Juniors & KIDS PARTY
Saturday, Jan. 10: Halfpipe Juniors
Tuesday, Jan. 13: Slopestyle Semi-finals Women/Men; live in concert: STEREO TOTAL
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Halfpipe Semi-finals Women/Men
Thursday, Jan. 15: Slopestyle Finals Women/Men & BIRTHDAY BASH
Friday, Jan. 16: Halfpipe finals Women/Men; live in concert: THE STREETS
Contest Location: Laax, Crap Sogn Gion mountain (2200 m)
After Parties Location: Riders Palace
Am luat anuntul direct de pe site-ul Burton.com … asa ma credeti pe cuvant 
Mai sunt cateva zile (9 ianuarie) pana va incepe Burton European Open in Laax – Elvetia.
Am luat anuntul direct de pe site-ul Burton.com … asa ma credeti pe cuvant 