Luke MITRANI (USA) injured his ankle and will not be able to participate at TOYOTA BIG AIR.
Kevin PEARCE (USA) was added as another invited rider.
Shigeaki TAKAHASHI is injured.
9 International riders and 3 Japanese riders will be invited this year.
#Please note that riders may be canceled or changed at very short notice due to injury or other circumstances.
Eero ETTALA | Marc-Andre TARTE | Nicolas MULLER |
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Eero ETTALANationality: Finland Sponsor: Nitro, Oakley Birthdate: 10/17/1984 Records: 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR Second 05 TOYOTA BIG AIR Winner 04 TOYOTA BIG AIR Second In 05 TOYOTA BIG AIR, he showed a switch double back flip to his opponent, Mathieu CREPEL from France, and won the championship in splendid style. Also in 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR, he went through to the super final and had a fierce battle with Nicolas MULLER. Although he was defeated by a narrow margin, he gave the strong impression of a super top world rider to the whole of Japan. - |
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Marc-Andre TARTENationality: Canada Sponsor: Voelkl, Adidas Birthdate: 05/21/1979 Records: 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR 9th 05 TOYOTA BIG AIR 11th 04 TOYOTA BIG AIR Winner 03 TOYOTA BIG AIR 10th In 04 TOYOTA BIG AIR, he took a shot at 3 and a half spins in the super final. Although it was not completed, he won the contest against Eero ETTALA and Daniel FRANCK. In 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR, he went out at Qualification by only a 1 point margin, but brought a lot of excitement with his all green "frog" wear. |
Nicolas MULLERNationality: Switzerland Sponsor: Burton Birthdate: 04/25/1982 Records: 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR Winner 05 TOYOTA BIG AIR Third 03 TOYOTA BIG AIR 8th In 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR, he won the contest through the spin duel with Eero ETTALA. He also won at 05 X-TRAILJAM, and is one of the best riders in season. He overwhelms the audience with his riding attitude and high skill of all genres, big mountain, pipe, park, quarter pipe, and stadium. - |
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CANCELInjured his ankle, not be able to participate Luke MITRANI Nationality: USA Sponsor: Burton, Motorola Birthdate: 7/20/1990 Records: 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR 10th He started snowboading at the age of 7, became a professional at 9 signing with Burton, dominated a lot of junior contests when he was only 15, and commented on as the second coming of Shaun WHITE. His high air & tricks, drawn out from a small body, are good enough to put adults to shame. |
Markku KOSKINationality: Finland Sponsor: STEP CHILD, Quiksilver, Thirtytwo, Dakine, Etnies Birthdate: 10/15/1981 Records: 06 Torino Olympics Third Tender of age at 25. He made a series of 1080s in the half pipe of 06 Torino Olympics, and earned a bronze medal. He is also known for his 1440 in the US Open half pipe contest of 2002, which was the first ever achieved in official contests, although he finished in second place. By the way, since then he has been called "KAITEN-SUSHI". - |
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Trevor ANDREWNationality: Canada Sponsor: Burton Birthdate: 8/31/1980 Records: 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR Third In last year's TOYOTA BIG AIR, he made a perfect CAB720 in the semi-final, but remained in third place beaten by Eero by only a 2 point margin. He attracted the audience with not only his technique but also his fashion sense. He is a Canadian Superstar, with a nice rock look and fun first attitude. |
Antti AUTTINationality: Finland Sponsor: Flow, Billabong, Dakine, Nokia, Von Zipper Birthdate: 3/15/1985 Records: 06 Air&Style Third 06 The Freestyle CH Big Air Second 06 Vans Cup Super Pipe Winner 06 European Open Slope Style Second He is from Finland in North Europe. In 05 X-GAMES, he won against North American strong contestants such as Shaun WHITE and Danny KASS, and came into sudden prominence. Although he missed a medal at 06 Torino Olympics, he has amazing physical abilities and is good at riding and spin tricks in all genre from pipe to slope style and big air. - |
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Shota SUZUKINationality: Japan Sponsor: Burton Birthdate: 6/5/1987 Records: 06TOYOTA BIG AIR 5th He won the first prize at '04 JWSC NANGO CHALLENGE CUP HP and also AIR MIX. In 05 TOYOTA BIG AIR, he went through the qualification round of Japanese riders in first place. He lost to Eero ETTALA in the semi-final, but got attention with his bold approach among the big name riders. |
CANCELShigeaki TAKAHASHI Nationality: Japan Sponsor: Bataleon Birthdate: 11/25/1978 Records: 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR 5th 05 TOYOTA BIG AIR 5th He is from a small town with only about 4000 people Moseushi, in local Hokkaido. During the 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR, he wooed the audience with his airy spin although he lost to the eventual winner Nicholas MULLER in the quarter final. Because of his friendly characteristic, he has a lot of fans and is a darling of the public. Surprisingly, he sometimes helps out on his farm family in the summer time. - |
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Takato TANIGUCHINationality: Japan Sponsor: Allian, rew Birthdate: 2/2/1981 Records: 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR Third 05 TOYOTA BIG AIR 5th With his original trick "Masakari Air", he performs brilliantly in most contests. In 06 TOYOTA BIG AIR, even though he had an injury to his back, he put up a brave fight with the aid pain killers and the support of the audience. Although he lost to the eventual winner Nicholas MULLER in the semi-final, he was the highest placed among Japanese riders, third (tie). |
Danny DAVISNationality: USA Sponsor: Burton Birthdate: 22/6/1988 Records: 06 Nippon Open Halfpipe Winner 06 US Open Quarterpipe Winner 06 US Open Halfpipe Second Growing to an International Super Star during this only 2 years, Danny DAVIS showed his talent, winning Nippon Open Halfpipe and US Open Quaterpipe, and taking 2nd place at Halfpipe of the same contest. He also claimed the honor as the Best Pipe Rider at Transworld Team Challenge. - |
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Risto MATTILANationality: Finland Sponsor: Flow, Billabong, Giro Birthdate: 4/2/1981 Records: 06 Air&Style Second 06 European Open Super Pipe Winner 06 Winter X-Game Super Pipe Third Participated in 06 Torino Olympics as representative of Finland. He loves Japan and looks forward to visiting Japan for this contest. About making his debut at the TOYOTA BIG AIRl, he comments "I'm really looking forward to being able to go to Japan again, and will do my best for everyone coming to see," showing his determination. |
Kevin PEARCENationality: USA Sponsor: Burton Birthdate: 11/1/1987 Records: 06 Burton New Zealand Open Slope Style Winner 06 Breckenridge Grand Prix Quarterpipe Winner 06 Mountain Creek Grand Prix Halfpipe Second He became a smash hit last season. Actively participated in several contests, he achieved great results including the victory at the Breckenridge Grand Prix Quarterpipe and Burton New Zealand Open Slope Style, which proved he was not only a temporal young rider. |
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