Fri, 08/13/2010 - 4:13pmWorld Heli Challenge, New Zealand

New Zealand is in the grip of a wintry blast that's caused minor disruption on the roads but thrilled the snow sports fraternity who’re currently entertaining some of the world’s elite skiers and snowboarders

The American Ski Racing Team, which includes Olympic gold medalists, has arrived to train at Coronet Peak, Queenstown.

And, at Cardrona near Wanaka there’s been non-stop action as some of the world’s top skiers and riders heli-ski, free-ski, jump and race in world championship events.

The extensive activity in New Zealand’s Southern Alps has further strengthened the country’s position as the southern hemisphere’s premier alpine sports destination.

 

World Heli Challenge 2010

Just winding up after 11 days of extreme action is the 2010 World Heli Challenge at Wanaka, which produced a list of world champions as well as some stunning images and video footage.

Many of the world’s top freestylers, extremists, ski racers and freeriders took part in the 2010 event, battling some of the most challenging conditions in the history of the event.

From the helicopter landing pad, skiers and snowboarders hiked narrow ridges and perched themselves precariously along ledges in the depths of Mt Aspiring National Park on the western side of Lake Wanaka.

(Check the video here)

 

Top snowboarder

Travis Rice of the USA emerged top snowboarder overall and said his experience at this year’s event had been "New Zealand to the max, total immersion."

 

"This is truly an epic contest, the terrain is here, the riders are here, and the heart of the event is here. Snowboarding needs more events like these to back what it’s really all about."

 

Rice was the obvious choice for overall men’s snowboarder, followed by Shin Biyahima (Japan), New Zealand’s Will Jackways,  Andy Finch (USA) and Chris Rasman (Canada).

 

 

Ski champions

Fellow American Ted Davenport defended his title and again emerged as overall winner in the ski category. Davenport set off a class two avalanche during his run on the final day but managed to ski out of danger.

 

He said it had been great to come and win the prestigious event in opposite conditions to 2009.

 

World number one ranked freeskier, Ane Enderud was named overall women’s champion, and 2009 champion Janina Kuzma took this year’s award for biggest air.

 

Aline Bock, world number one ranked snowboarder, took the honours for women’s snowboarding with defending champion, NZ’s Maria Kuzma, runner up.

 

The Fktor Award, which honours the athlete who puts on the most outstanding performance, went to Australia’s Charlie Timmins.

 

The winners in each category will all gain free entry to the 2011 World Heli Challenge.

 

 

Volkl NZ Freeski Open

With free skiing rating as one of the fastest growing sports in the world and New Zealand claiming the current world champion, the Volkl NZ Freeski Open was always going to be a major event.

 

A record number of the world’s top skiers are at Cardrona’s Olympic halfpipe and Heavy Metal terrain park for the event - now in its sixth year.

 

The Freeski Open runs from 5 - 21 August, and covers three major disciplines - slopestyle, halfpipe and big mountain.

 

The finals of the halfpipe competition were held on Saturday (7.08.2010) with Taylor Seaton of the United States narrowly edging out Wanaka local Byron Wells in the men’s final.

 

In the women’s final, Canada’s Megan Gunning beat Wanaka local Janina Kuzma with US rider Jamie Crane-Mauzy finishing third.

 

 

Free skiing

Free skiing will be included in the Winter Olympics for the first time in 2014, and New Zealand is already playing a major role as a venue for events and as a training ground for international competitors.

 

From 19 - 31 August, the 2010 FIS Junior World Champs will also be held in Wanaka. It’s the first time a FIS (International Ski Federation) World Championship has been staged in New Zealand, and the first time that snowboarding and freestyle skiing feature together.

 

The event is open to male and female competitors under the age of 20, and includes halfpipe, snowboard-cross, parallel slalom, big air and slopestyle.

 

 

 

US at Coronet Peak

Further south, the American Ski Racing Team including Olympic gold medalists Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller, were said to be "all smiles" when they took to Rocky Gully on Coronet Peak for day one of their New Zealand training.

 

Coronet Peak’s race and events manager, Richard Murphy, said the ski resort would be busy ensuring the team had nothing but the best training facility available to them.

 

Coronet Peak has been the main southern hemisphere training centre for the US Alpine Ski Team for around 18 years, and continues to be the number one training destination for many other alpine nations’ athletes and teams.

 

 

Fresh snow and good conditions

All main ski fields in New Zealand were reporting fresh snow and good conditions this week, and will be hoping for continued falls to ensure prime spring skiing.

 

 

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