The Black Yeti crowned the 2017 World Rookie Champions!

Chase Blackwell (USA) and Sena Tomita (JPN) are the first ever World Rookie Champions in Halfpipe. At this year’s edition, it is the first time that the World Rookie Finals include Halfpipe as a discipline. The title was hard fought as becoming the first World Rookie Champion in Halfpipe is one of the greatest rewards for tomorrow’s pro snowboarders. The riders field was 40 boys and 18 girls packed with a large variety of nations.

But Chase Blackwell from the USA and Japanese rider Sena Tomita, who both landed heavy runs, were better than the rest, and take home the Black Yeti trophies and prizes such as TSG helmets, Nitro bags, Surfcamp from Surftolive, Pieps, Shooting in Kitzsteinhorn Monday-Wendsday, Ticket for 2 weeks freeride trip to Chile, Pieps, shovel.

Slopestyle World Rookie Champions are Takeru Otsuka (JPN) and Kokomo Murase (JPN). High creativity level and crazy riding skills were sent by this years' World Rookie Champions. On the boys' side, Takeru Otsuka (JPN) topped the podium after having thrown a Blunt 270 on the first rail, a Frontside Double Cork 1080 and a Backside Double Cork 1080 over the jumps and finished his run with a Crippler Transfer to Nose Slide Prezel on the last features. He came slightly before Davide Boggio (ITA) and Minsik Lee (KOR) who became 2nd and 3rd. Best boy in the Grom category (below 16 years) was Swedish shredder William Mathisen.

Kokomo Murase from Japan defend the title as female World Rookie Champion from last year and impressed the judges with her winning run including a Blunt 270 on the rail, a Frontside 720 and Backside 720 on the kickers and a Rock to Fakie to Switch Board Slide on the last feature. She shared the podium with 2nd placed Antonia Yanez from Chile and Iina Puhakka from Finland who grabbed the 3rd spot. 

Below you can watch the video from the first days of 2017 World Rookie Finals and photos from the contest are available here.

If you are a snowboard fan or if your dream is to start a professional snowboard carrier, then Kitzsteinhorn, Kaprun Zell am See, Austria, is the place to be! Find all the info about the resort below:

Web: www.kitzsteinhorn.at, www.zellamsee-kaprun.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/zellamseekaprun & www.facebook.com/Snowpark.Kitzsteinhorn
Instagram: kitzsteinhorn #kitzsteinhornsnowpark #zellkaprun

Everybody knows it, every kid loves it, and every champion was here! The 2017 World Rookie Tour, along with locations and formats, is as follows:

2016.17 World Rookie Tour – Calendar

South America Rookie Fest (SS) - Valle Nevado, Chile 12-14 August 2016 – DONE
Australian Rookie Fest (SS) – Thredbo, Australia 1 September 2016 – DELETED
World Rookie Rail Jam (Rail) – Modena, Italy 29-3 October 2016 – DONE
Corvatsch Rookie Fest (SS) – Corvatsch, Swiss 15-18 December 2016 – DONE
World Rookie Fest (SS) – Livigno, Italy 14-19 January 2017 – DONE
Transilvanian Rookie Fest (SS) – Sibiu - Arena Platos, Romania 20-22 January 2017 – DONE
Bulgarian Rookie Fest (SS + HP) – Pamporovo-Mechi Cal, Bulgaria 27-29 January 2017 – DONE
Trentino Rookie Fest (SS) – Monte Bondone, Italy 08-12 February 2017 – DONE
Oslo Rookie Fest (HP) – Oslo, Norway 25 February 2017 – DONE
USASA Grom Fest (SS) - Keystone, USA 25 February 2017 – DONE
Indy Park Rookie Fest (SS) – Nekoma, Japan 25-26 February 2017 – DONE
Rev Tour Rookie Fest (SS + HP) – Seven Springs Resort, US 09-10 March 2017 – DONE
World Rookie Finals (SS+HP) –Kitzsteinhorn, Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria 04-09 April 2017 - DONE

Contacts for: registration, information and booking:
Matteo Fregni: email rookie@worldsnowboardfederation.org, phone 0039.059.9783397

If you dream to become a professional snowboarder,
then your future starts from Rookie Fest!

2017 World Rookie Tour Finals Arrival, Training & Girls Qualification

Photo gallery