The Arctic Challenge
Encyclopedia
The Arctic Challenge is a snowboarding
contest arranged for and by the riders themselves. It was started by Norwegian
professional snowboarders Daniel Franck
and Terje Haakonsen. The contest was established as an alternative to the former competitions that had become streamlined and run by schedules and directions from TV-coverage, major sponsors and other external forces. It formerly held the status as the final for the "Ticket to Ride Tour
", and is held in Norway
annually - usually at a location north of the Arctic Circle
.
Since 2005 the "TAC", as it is often referred to, moved to Oslo
and has been integrated into the TTR World Snowboard Tour at the 5Star level.
Due to its great success last season it has moved to the TTR 6Star level, the highest status an event can hold on the World Tour, giving out 1000 TTR ranking points to the winner and $100,000 in total prize money. It is now the only 6Star rated event owned by a professional rider.
At the Arctic Challenge 2007, the organizer and snowboard legend, Terje Haakonsen broke the highest air record in the quarterpipe with 9.8 m above the lip (top part of the obstacle), established by Heikki Sorsa at 9.3 m in 2001.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
contest arranged for and by the riders themselves. It was started by Norwegian
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
professional snowboarders Daniel Franck
Daniel Franck
Daniel Franck is a Norwegian professional snowboarder. He started riding in 1991, professionally since 1993. After winning the National and Nordic championships he aimed higher and started riding world cup competitions in 1993. Daniel won his first international championship Gold at the European...
and Terje Haakonsen. The contest was established as an alternative to the former competitions that had become streamlined and run by schedules and directions from TV-coverage, major sponsors and other external forces. It formerly held the status as the final for the "Ticket to Ride Tour
Ticket to Ride (World Snowboard Tour)
Founded by Terje Håkonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Ticket To Ride World Snowboard Tour is a rider-driven organization that aims to represent the progression of snowboarding...
", and is held in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
annually - usually at a location north of the Arctic Circle
Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. For Epoch 2011, it is the parallel of latitude that runs north of the Equator....
.
Since 2005 the "TAC", as it is often referred to, moved to Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
and has been integrated into the TTR World Snowboard Tour at the 5Star level.
Due to its great success last season it has moved to the TTR 6Star level, the highest status an event can hold on the World Tour, giving out 1000 TTR ranking points to the winner and $100,000 in total prize money. It is now the only 6Star rated event owned by a professional rider.
At the Arctic Challenge 2007, the organizer and snowboard legend, Terje Haakonsen broke the highest air record in the quarterpipe with 9.8 m above the lip (top part of the obstacle), established by Heikki Sorsa at 9.3 m in 2001.