Marko Grilc wins at the Billabong Air & Style Innsbruck-Tirol 09/II followed closely by Peetu Piroiinen and Andreas Wiig
11.500 euphoric fans witness the comeback of the Big Air format to the Bergisel Stadium
Marko Grilc new leader of the Swatch TTR Tour World Ranking List

Innsbruck, Austria – The comeback of the legendary Straight Jump format to the Bergisel Stadium was a full success. 11.500 fans witnessed their snowboard heroes at the Billabong Air & Style Innsbruck-Tirol 09/ II. On the perfectly working kicker, that replaced the quarterpipe of last year, Marko Grilc (SLO) ruled the final of four with a Switch Backside 1080 Double Corked Mute Grab and 281 points. He only recently entered the starting the field of 16 riders after the Canadian Sebastien Toutant had to cancel because of an unfortunate injury. Peetu Piroiinen (21 years/FIN/268 Pts.) placed second and Andreas Wiig (28/NOR/251 Pts.) came in third. Swiss rider Iouri Podladtchikov (21/SUI/54 Pts.) finished in fourth.

Local rider Werner Stock (22/AUT) from the Zillertal finished the event successfully in sixth place, closely follwoed by Elias Elhardt from Germany (21/Oberstaufen). The three times winner of the Air & Style, Stefan Gimpl (30/AUT) from Leogang and the Austrian Gigi Rüf (28) were kicked out of the contest by Peetu Piroiinen and Elias Elhardt in the first round. In the Rookie competition that consisted of 12 riders, it was the 18 years old Seppe Smits from Belgium who went home with the win. His reward: a spot in next year’s starting field of 16 riders at the Billlabong Air & Style 2010.

As the first 6Star Swatch TTR World snowboard Tour event of the season, the Billabong Air & Style gives out the first stack of 1000 TTR ranking points and as such causes significant changes on the world ranking list. Marko Grilc (SLO) not only won his first 6Star title but is also new Swatch TTR Tour leader after today.

Again, the Air & Style Innsbruck fascinated the crowds with its unique atmosphere, sportive highlights and popular music live acts with K.I.Z. and The Hives.

Billabong Air & Style Innsbruck-Tirol 09/II Finale results:

1- Marko Grilc SLO 281 Pkt. Switch Backside 1080 Double Corked Mute Grab
2- Peetu Piroiinen FIN 268 Pkt. Backside 1080 Double Corked Mute Grab
3- Andreas Wiig NOR 251 Pkt. Frontside 1080 Double Flip
4- Iouri Podladtchikov SUI 54 Pkt.
5- Eero Ettala FIN
6- Werner Stock AUT
7- Elias Elhardt D
8- Torstein Horgmo NOR
9- Antti Autti FIN
10- Marc Swoboda AUT
11- Chas Guldemond USA
12- Stefan Gimpl AUT