Risto Mattila is a Finnish snowboard

Snowboard

Snowboards are boards, usually with a width the length of one's foot, with the ability to glide on snow. Snowboards are differentiated from monoskis by the stance of the user...

er. He is an all-around rider, who has many achievements in half pipe, big air and in park riding contests. He has also made a name by having shots in the international snowboarding magazines. He is well known as a confident rider and because of his smooth style.

Biography

Mattila was born in Kannus, which is located in Central Ostrobothnia

Central Ostrobothnia

Central Ostrobothnia is a region in Finland. It borders to the regions Ostrobothnia, Northern Ostrobothnia, Central Finland, Southern Ostrobothnia.- Historical provinces :For History, Geography and Culture see: Ostrobothnia- Municipalities :...

 which is well known for its flat surface. Risto started snowboarding at the age of 13 in a small resort called Louekallio, together with Olympic bronze medallist Markku Koski.

Career

During his snowboard career Risto has obtained many good results, including many wins in FIS world cup and other snowboarding invitational contests.

Mattila participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics

2002 Winter Olympics

The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...

 in Salt Lake City, finishing 16th in men's halfpipe

Snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics

The 2002 Winter Olympic Games Snowboarding competition consisted of men's and women's Halfpipe and Parallel Giant Slalom events. The snowboarding competition took place at Park City, over a five day period.-Medal table:-Men's events:...

. He also represented Finland at the 2006 Winter Olympics

2006 Winter Olympics

The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...

 in Turin, finishing 10th in men's halfpipe

Snowboarding at the 2006 Winter Olympics - Men's Halfpipe

The men's halfpipe event in snowboarding at the 2006 Winter Olympics was held in Bardonecchia, a village in the Province of Turin, Italy. Competition took place on 12 February 2006.-Medalists:-Results:...

.

Mattila's 2006-2007 season has started promisingly, and Risto has placed as a second in Air & Style and third in X-Trail Jam

X-Trail Jam

The X-Trail Jam is a Japanese snowboarding contest and one of the biggest of its kind worldwide. It was first launched in the Tokyo Dome, Japan in 2001 and is now held annually. President and main developer is Reto Lamm.- Winners :- External links :**...

, both much respected competitions in the snowboarding world. Mattila also won the 2007 Nissan X-Trail Big Air in Japan

Most recently Mattila participated in the 2008 Toyota Big Air

Toyota Big Air

Toyota Big Air is a Japanese snowboarding contest. This contest has been held in the Makomanai Open Stadium, Sapporo, Hokkaido since 1997.- Winners :...

 and placed 2nd to his fellow Flow teammate and friend Antti Autti

Antti Autti

Antti-Matias Antero Autti is a Finnish snowboarding star who shot to fame when he defeated big-name talents Danny Kass, Andy Finch, and Shaun White in the Men's Superpipe at the 2005 Winter X Games to claim the gold...

Off the snow

When Risto is not snowboarding he usually spends time in Helsinki with his friends. He likes Finnish candies, good food, ketchup and movies. His hobbies besides snowboarding are skateboarding, breakdance and tennis.

Career Standings

2001/2002

• 2nd FIS World Cup overall Half Pipe
• 2nd FIS Big Air
• 16th Salt Lake City Winter Olympics

2003/2004

• World Cup overall winner
• 1st World Cup Big Air
• 3rd Big Air
• 1st Leysin Open slope style
• 2nd Burton European open slope style
• 3rd The Arctic challenge Half-pipe

2005/2006

• TTR ranking 2nd
• 4 World cup wins,
• Us Open winner, overall and slope style,
• Nippon Open pipe 3rd,
• Gravity Games Pipe 3rd,
• SB-Jam 3 rd overall and the ruler of the kicker,
• Arctic Challenge 3rd Big Air,
• 2nd Freestyle CH Zurich,
• 2nd Nokia Air & Style 06 Munich

2007/2008

• Won 07 Nissan X-Trail Big Air Japan,
• 2nd Toyota Big Air