All attending stakeholders agreed unanimously to implement a new and improved tour concept for the World Snowboard Tour in order to make the tour more transparent and understandable for media, public and the riders.

As part of the implementation of the new concept, the number of event levels was reduced from 6 different levels to only 4 different levels, now recognized as Regional, National, International and Elite event categories. The new Elite level events will form the WST Pro Series and at the end of each season the TTR awards the World Snowboard Tour Champion titles in the disciplines Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Air to the best male and female riders on the Pro Series.

The original idea was to improve the tour not only by introducing a new competitive structure but also by implementing a new commercial concept, including centralisation of TV and certain sponsorship rights of the events participating in the newly introduced WST Pro Series. During the negotiations between TTR, the events and IMG it became apparent that it would not be possible to come to an agreement about the commercial elements of such a deal in time for the start of the 14/15 winter season and the introduction of the first ever Pro Series on the World Snowboard Tour.

On October 1st, 2014 the TTR Executive Board therefore announced to implement the new World Snowboard Tour structure as follows.

What’s new for the World Snowboard Tour 2014/ 15:

• Launch of the new 4-level competition structure at the start of this season in the Northern Hemisphere, introducing Regional, National, International and Elite level contest categories to the tour structure
• WST Pro Series will be implemented; the new top level Series showcasing the best riders in the world at the best events in the world; all details on the WST Pro Series can be found HERE.
• Collaboration with the Elite level events on consistent event requirements and a centralised TV product
• Continue to support and consult the Global Snowboarder Alliance, where the best riders have been organising themselves, on tour related issues
• Implementation of a revised TTR Rule Book and WST Event Guidelines

What is the WST Pro Series?

The WST Pro Series consists of the highest level events worldwide. It features a consistent field of the best riders in the world, competing at each stop of the Pro Series. This showcases the sport of snowboarding in the best possible way to a global audience. Each event is unique in its own way, contributing to the Series and progressing the sport.

The rider’s field at Elite level events on the WST Pro Series is composed of

• Qualified Pro Riders (qualified for the whole season, determined by the WSPL in the respective discipline)
• Series Wildcards (qualified for the whole season, determined by a committee chosen by the GSA)
• Event-specific Wildcards (assigned by event organiser on a per event basis)

WST Pro Series 2014/15

For the first season (14/15) of the WST Pro Series, the WSPL in each discipline will be used to determine the riders, who are qualified to compete in all WST Pro Series event stops. To determine the qualified riders, the WSPL in the respective discipline as of August 22nd, 2014  will be used. Please find this list, HERE.

For the 2016 season and beyond, the WSPL in the respective discipline as of October 1st will be used to determine the qualified riders to compete in next season’s WST Pro Series events.

Series Wildcards:

Series wildcards will allow riders, who would not otherwise qualify (according to the WSPL criteria outlined above), a spot on the WST Pro Series for the full season.

Three series wildcards will be assigned per discipline and gender (e.g. 3 male and 3 female wildcards in Slopestyle, Halfpipe, and Big Air.) Riders must submit an application by Nov 21st, 2014 in order to be considered for a GSA Series Wildcard spot.

The Series Wildcard Selection Committee is an impartial panel consisting of five (5) members selected from amongst competition judges, former competitive professional Riders, current non-competing professional Riders, media, and industry leaders, commissioned by appointed members of the current GSA Board of Representatives and approved by WST. The Series Wildcard spots will be announced no later than Nov 30th, 2014.

Series Wildcard Selection Committee:

• Sandy Mcdonald (Committee Chairman)
• Susie Floros (Editor in Chief of Snowboard Mag)
• Tom Kingsnorth (Founder of Pyramid Mag)
• Henry Jackson (Event Commentator)
• “Ishi” Shigeru Ishihara (Nominated by Snowboard Japan, supported by China)

For more detailed information on the WST Pro Series, read HERE.