Day 1 - Slopestyle

Cardrona Alpine Resort’s world-class slopestyle course provided a testing ground for New Zealand’s up and coming freeski athletes as they competed in the International Ski Federation (FIS) Australia New Zealand Cup.

For several NZ athletes it was their first experience of FIS level competition and an opportunity to earn the qualification points needed to compete at the World Cup events being staged as part of next month’s Audi quattro Winter Games NZ.

The field also comprised seasoned athletes such as US freeskier, Olympian and multiple X Games medallist Keri Herman and NZ Olympian, freeskier Beau-James Wells (Wanaka), both looking for a warm up ahead of the Winter Games NZ.

Competitors had three runs to impress the judges with their best run score counting for final placings. Strong gusty winds added some challenge to the day but judges commented that the riders did well to cope with the conditions.

Keri Herman was the first competitor to drop into the course which comprised three jib features at the top with both technical and easier options, and three progressively larger jumps at the bottom. Setting the bar for the female ski competitors, Keri put together a clean, well-controlled run and left little doubt that her day would end on the podium.

Adie Lawrence (Queenstown) put together a solid first run and stepped up on the second run to improve her score but only enough to finish second overall behind the US rider. Natasha Drury (Auckland) finished in third for the women’s freeski podium.

“I’m excited to be competing for the first time this season,” says Keri who has made a successful recovery from an injury sustained at the beginning of the year. “It’s good to get my head back in the zone ready for Winter Games next month.”

Jackson Wells (Wanaka) started off the bidding for men’s freeski podium spots with the top score on run one. Finn Bilous (Wanaka) signalled he would also be one to watch, posting the second highest score on run one while Beau-James Wells (Wanaka), lacking a little control, initially sat in third place.

The change about came on the second run with Beau tidying things up and leap frogging into the top spot. With Jackson and Finn unable to improve their initial scores over run two or three the podium was decided: Beau-James Wells first, Jackson Wells second, Finn Bilous third.

“I’m really pleased to have my brother Jackson on the podium with me but it’s always nice to win the sibling rivalry,” joked Beau.

Slopestyle results: https://www.snowsports.co.nz/race-results/2015-freeski-results/

Slopestyle photos: http://ow.ly/Q5EmH

Day 2 - Halfpipe

Cardrona NZ skier and Olympian Beau-James Wells (Wanaka) looked to be the obvious pick to win the men’s freeski halfpipe, starting his first run with a high score of 78.50. However, 13 year old Nico Porteous (Christchurch) wasn’t going to let him away with it too easily, also coming out strong and posting a first run score of 77.50.

Knowing that he needed to “go bigger and get the grabs” in order to improve his score, Nico did just that and finished off with an alley-oop flat five for a score of 79 putting him ahead of Beau-James Wells after the second run.

“I knew I had three runs (to get the top score) but I was still a bit nervous at that point,” admitted Beau after the comp. “I decided I had to bump my last trick up to a switch 7 instead of the switch 5 I’d done in the first two runs.”

Showing his experience, Beau tightened up his final run and upped the amplitude, coming through with a score of 84.75 for the win. Nico Porteous finished second, pleased to step on to the podium and improve on his fourth place finish from yesterday’s slopestyle. Finn Bilous (Wanaka) matched his third place slopestyle finish with third place in the halfpipe after a solid day of competition, also saving is best for last and posting his top score of 77.25 on the third run.

The women’s freeski halfpipe saw US athlete Keri Herman back at the top of the scoreboard, backing up yesterday’s win in the slopestyle.

“Keri looked very comfortable in the pipe and had distinctively different grabs,” explained head freeski judge, Dion Newport.

Isabelle Hanssen of The Netherlands finished in second with Brittany Hawes (Wanaka) third.

Results Halfpipe: https://www.snowsports.co.nz/race-results/2015-freeski-results/

Halfpipe photos: http://ow.ly/Q5Ejd

Photo Credit: Snow Sports NZ/ Ben Read

It’s worth mentioning that these Continental Cup events are supported by the Winter Games NZ Leverage and Legacy Programme which alongside Snow Sports NZ and Sport NZ aims to grow participation and achievement in snow sports. 

Source: fis-ski.com