High-class snowboard action, rounded up with a fun Hawaiian theme and several side events, the Burton European Open presented by MINI once again underlined its significance as one of the most influential snowboarding events in the world. Due to heavy snowfall and strong winds earlier this week the Slopestyle finals at the 16th Burton European Open presented by MINI in Laax, Switzerland were held with all 32 male and 16 female riders this year, after the eliminations had to be cancelled. The all-new Slopestyle course allowed the riders to mix world class riding with a ton of style. With two runs, best one counts, they were to find out who will take the victory of this year’s event and therefore become the new leader of the brand new WST Pro Series ranking; defining this year’s Pro Series Champions later in the season. In the end, Stale Sandbech was able to grab the top spot of the podium with his stunning run including a Frontside 540 Nosetap to Cab 540, Frontside Blunt 270 out, Double Crippler Indy, Backside 1260 Mute, Cab 1260 Melon and a Frontside 1080 Indy, leaving Mark McMorris (CAN) in second place. The Canadian showed a strong performance with a Backside Triple Cork 1440 in his final run, which he unfortunately was not able to land perfectly. Torstein Horgmo (NOR) rounds up the podium on rank three. Eventhough at times, riders were struggling with speed issues; all sixteen ladies were riding strong in finals. Christy Prior, dropping in second-to-last, was able to achieve a confident score of 84.00 already in her first run, consisting of a Frontside 540 Nosetap to Half Cab, Frontside 50-50, Straight Air to Frontside 540, Cab Underflip Melon, Frontside 720 Melon off the Toes and a Backside 540 Indy, which locked herself in the top spot for the rest of the competition. Christy wins the BEO for the first time and takes the lead on the new WST Pro Series Slopestyle ranking. Jamie Anderson (USA) came in second, Enni Rukajärvi (FIN) ended up on rank three. As the first event of the WST Pro Series, the final results of the Burton European Open presented by MINI determine the current WST Pro Series ranking, which only includes results from the WST Elite Level events and will designate the Pro Series Champions of this season. The WST Pro Series combines the best riders in the world with the three most relevant snowboarding events on the planet. After today’s Slopestyle finals Stale Sandbech and Christy Prior are on top of the Slopestyle ranking on their way to the next two stops of the WST Pro Series: The Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix in Mammoth, California and the Burton US Open presented by MINI in Vail, Colorado. Off to the States for the second stop of the World Snowboard Tour Pro Series Immediately after the Burton European Open presented by MINI in Laax, Switzerland, the WST Pro Series will continue with its second stop at the Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix in Mammoth, California, U.S. With an exceedingly large rider field of just under 160 competitors, the Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix is one of the most important events for the top international Slopestyle and Halfpipe riders and it marks the first Pro Series event on the North American continent. For those unable to become part of this highly esteemed competition in the world-famous Unbound Park, Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix will be streamed live, presenting finals of both Slopestlye and Halfpipe on Friday and Saturday next week. All upcoming events of the World Snowboard Tour 2014/15 including the WST Pro Series can be found on www.worldsnowboardtour.com/wst-calendar.