The worlds finest snowboarders are back in the game next week, with the opening event of the 2009/2010 TTR World Tour kicking off at the Burton New Zealand Open in Cardrona. Following an epic 2008/2009 season that saw Finnish shredder Peetu Piirionen crowned Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion, the first major comp of the new season is set to be bigger than ever.

Piirionen will be among a number of the worlds elite rocking up to take on the monolithic halfpipe and slopestyle course, being joined by fellow title contenders, Antti Autti and 2008/2009 runner-up Chas Guldemond. They will be looking to lay claim to the 850 Swatch points up for grabs, not to mention a share of the massive $50,000 prize purse. Big hitters Danny Davis, Luke Mitrani and Mason Aguirre will also be present and looking to cause an upset.

The womens field will also be packing some talent, with the worlds top three ranked riders signed up and ready to rip on the slopes of Cardrona Resort. Defending Champ Kelly Clark of the USA is poised and ready to pounce on her second title in as many years, while 2008/2009 favourite Jamie Anderson will be looking to stomp her authority back on the overall after injury put her out of the overall towards the end of last season.