Swatch - Catch the Moment - Terje Haakonsen

Born a nature child, Terje learned all the fun of sports fast: soccer, ski jumping, athletics and al-pine skiing. He won them all. He was on the regional team in both soccer and alpine skiing. He discovered the snowboard upon turning 14. He won his first competition only two months after getting his first board. Terje made his way onto Burtons global team at age 15, whilst still striving in 9th grade at Vinje Ungdomsskole (school). He made his debut at the World Cup in St Moritz, and to everybodys surprise he captured 5th place in the half-pipe! The champ came into his own in 1991 with his first European Championship in the half-pipe. He has earned a total of 3 US Open victories, 5 European Championships and 3 World Champion-ships. He has garnered many top rankings in World Cups and invitational events. He quit counting World Cup points after the 1994 season. In the winter of 2002, the ISF went bankrupt after fighting the FIS for six years. Several players from the snowboard scene approached Terje to join new forces. Terje was reluctant, because he knew the value of the total independence of the Arctic Challenge. But the coalition of TTR touched him with a solid philosophy: rider-driven, genuine snowboard values and focus on progression. Terje and TAC are placed on centre stage by TTR: nine great snowboard events around the world earn qualification spots at TAC. Terje and other top riders now have a powerful say in the philosophy and progression of the sport.