Thursday September 1: Wanaka turned on brilliant conditions for the Uni Snow Games Slopestyle today and competitors took full advantage, taking to the Treble Cone terrain park for a morning of thrills and spills.

The Slopestyle course proved a tough one for a few students who took tumbles, but for others it was a great chance to let loose and show off an array of tricks.

Uni Snow Games snow manager Blair Smith said the conditions made for an enjoyable day on the mountain.

“It was a nice, sunny day and there was a really relaxed vibe for the Slopestyle,” he said.

“The competitors made the most of the features and some of the stand-out tricks included some 540s and a couple of backflips.”

University Sport New Zealand Executive Director Alanya Carter said it was great to see a wide range of talents taking on the slopestyle course.

“Some of the competitors were awesome, there were some really good tricks and it was really impressive to watch,” she said.

“For others, it was their first time competing in Slopestyle and they all put in a great effort. It was a great day for it and it certainly made for some good viewing.”

It was the snowboarders who got the best accolades from the Slopestyle judging panel, with Waikato University’s Natalie Good taking out the female title, followed by Otago University representatives Julie Kochan and Estelle Baker.

In the male category, Otago University’s Marc Andri Riedi continued his winning ways to pick up the gold, ahead of Auckland University competitors Jonathan Arlidge and Alex Liew.

Guy Wilson, of the University of Canterbury, was the best of the skiers, placing first, with Lincoln University’s Tim Harker and James Leigh making up the top three.

Rachel Holcroft led a small female skier field, winning the category wih Alexandrine Campbell and Kirsty Edwards, both of Auckland University,

The Uni Snow Games continue tomorrow (Friday September 2) with the Skull Candy-sponsored Big Air at Treble Cone.

University Sport New Zealand is a Wellington-based not-for-profit organisation and is the only national sporting organisation for tertiary sport in New Zealand. For more information visit our website at www.universitysport.org.nz.

UNI SNOW GAMES SLOPESTYLE RESULTS:
Male ski: 1. Guy Wilson (University of Canterbury); 2. Tim Harker (Lincoln University); 3. James Leigh (Lincoln University)
Female ski: Rachel Holcroft (Massey University Palmerston North); 2. Alexandrine Campbell (Auckland University); 3. Kirsty Edwards(Auckland University)
Male snowboard: 1. Marc Andri Riedi (Otago University); 2. Jonathan Arlidge (Auckland University); 3. Alex Liew (Auckland University)
Female snowboard: 1. Natalie Good (Waikato University); 2. Julie Kochan (Otago University); 3. Estelle Baker (Otago University)

ENDS

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