British Riders Cut the Mustard for Burton European Open 2007

British and Nike ACG Snowboarders Dan Wakeham, Angus Leith, and Rebecca Cullum have all been selected to compete at the Burton European Open this year. Naturally the trio are all super-stoked, as are we here at Kaos.

The Burton European Open will be held once again in the freestyle mecca of Laax in Switzerland between the 20th-27th January 2007; the comp makes up one fifth of the Burton Open series and promises to be a huge event for all involved with over 450 riders competeing in Mens, Womens and Juniors Halfpipe and Slopestyle. Dan and Angus will be ripping it up in the pipe and Rebecca will be throwing down some smooth runs in the slopestyle.

With $125,000 up for grabs in prize money, it promises to be a action-packed affair. With the Air & Style behind us, this comp looks to be as big, with some of the most talented riders in the world turning up. Last years event was dominated by the Finnish brigade, but this years competition may prove to much with riders such as Nicolas Mueller, David Benedek, Fredi Kalbermatten, and Burton prodigy Peetu Piironen all signed up as well as Shaun White's first outing in this comp. With the first double-corked 1260 being laid down in competition at the Air & Style, look out for big things.

So, whatever you're doing that week, make sure you say a prayer for our kids and wish them well......more to follow

For more info please check the website www.burtoneuropeanopen.com

Nokia Air and Style 2006 hailed as 'best ever'

The first weekend in December this year saw the Kaos team witness the return of the Air and Style competition. This is one of the most established European comps around and attracts the worlds top riders; even the Flying Tomato flew in for his only European date this season.

Among the riders were Hampus Mosesson, Nicolas Muller, Mathieu Crepel, and local hero David Benedek who all represent the Nokia team.

Before they demonstrated their skills in front the of a sell-out 30,000 strong crowd, the team spent half an hour chatting and signing autographs before the dizzzying flashbulbs of the industry's press.

When the time came, our riders did not fail to impress. All succeeded in progressing through the first rounds with the exception of Nicolas, whose first round draw was against fellow team mate and Munich resident David Benedek. The epic battle that ensued saw David stomp his huge double-corked 1260 (a feat never before achieved in competition) to outclass Nicolas whose attempt at a one-footed misty 720 nearly came off, but was talked about for the rest of the evening.

Hampus and Mathieu progressed after toppling Torstein Horgmo and Christophe Schmidt respectively, demonstrating some real flair and old fashioned guts to get through to the semis, where they were beaten by Risto Matilla and eventual winner Travis Rice. Elsewhere David's 1260 proppelled him through to the super final, where a imperfect landing saw him grab 4th place. The standard of this final was illustrated by the omission of Shaun White who didn't manage to even qualify for it, despite landing all his tricks.

Additionally, the rookie comp saw some great demonstration of young talent, with 16-yearold Mikkel Bang of Norway taking top podium place. Furthermore the FMX comp was won by American teenager Wiley Fullmer.

All in all, a great day for the boys from Nokia and Air and Style, with this years event hailed as the 'best ever'. However, there wasn't much time for Nicolas and Mathieu to dwell on their performances as they were soon to head out to Japan to compete in the X-Trail event.