LAKE WANAKA (August 9, 2007) – New Zealand’s top free skiers will
compete against a strong international field in the third annual Volkl Free Ski
Open which features the Southern Hemisphere’s only heli-accessed big mountain
competition.
Internationally renowned Wanaka rider, Jossi Wells will be defending
his title on the Red Bull Slopestyle course as well as looking to take out the New
Zealand Community Trust Superpipe title on the back of his success at the
European Open where he beat some of the world’s best skiers into first place.
However, injury has meant he hasn’t spent as much time on snow as he’d like and
Australia’s Russ Henshaw and Xavier Bertoni from France
are expected to be major rivals. Both of whom have had podium finishes in Europe and the States. Paddy
Graham from the UK is also expected to put some pressure on the field.
New Zealand has two strong contenders in the Icebreaker Big Mountain
competition with Hamish Acland and Geoff Small both expected to make the final
cut of the event and take part in the first heli-accessed Big Mountain Finals.
Another first for the Big Mountain is the new judging format which will see the final outcome judged
and announced in front of a live audience from video footage on a giant screen
at BaseCamp Wanaka.
Acland is looking forward to the event and says it is well on its
way to achieving its goal of hosting the world’s best skiers on the world’s
best terrain.
"Many of the world’s ski brands are sending their athletes south to
train and compete in New
Zealand which is
only good for our elite and rising talent," he said. “The heli-finals for the Big Mountain will
be truly world-class and Snow Park NZ has already proved itself as the ultimate
location for freestyle events.”
To date 10 nationalities are represented at the event with a week to
go until entries close. All the action starts with the Icebreaker Big Mountain
Qualifiers at The Remarkables on 21 August followed by the semi-finals at
Treble Cone on 22 August. The heli-accessed finals will take place in the Harris Mountains.
After some downtown action with the BASE Rail Jam on Saturday 25 August, the
competition moves to Snow Park NZ for the NZCT Halfpipe on 28 August and the Red
Bull Slopestyle on 29 August. For further information visit
www.freeskier.co.nz.