NZ Free Ski Nationals - Slopestyle

NZ Free Ski Nationals - Slopestyle

The country’s top free skiers today took on the massive features of Cardrona Alpine Resort’s Heavy Metal Terrain Park for the Channel Z Slopestyle discipline of the NZ Free Ski Nationals.

It was a good day for Wanaka’s Wells brothers with Byron (12) taking out the youth male and older brother Jossi winning the men’s open at just 14 years of age.

Dion Newport, head judge, said Jossi stood out from the rest of the field.

“From beginning to end he consistently stepped up the difficulty of his tricks, flying from the rails into the jumps with outstandingly smooth riding. Byron is nipping on Jossi’s heels and the fact they are training with each other every day means they are constantly pushing their level of innovation.”

Another young competitor took second in the men’s open competition. Sixteen-year-old Lyndon Sheehan (Wanaka) rode most of his runs switch, hitting both rails and big airs backwards. Tom Dunbar from Hanmer Springs took out third.

“These guys have learned from the best,” said Newport. “They’ll be pushing the progression of free skiing promising a healthy future for the sport.”

In the junior girls, Wanaka’s Sarah Gillespie took first place with clean, controlled skiing. Fellow competitors, Amy Sheehan and Maria Oosterbaan, pushed the level of the girls’ competition but were unlucky not to stick clean runs.

Cantabrians Charlie Lyons and Lee McDermid represented their region with fine form, coming a close first and second respectively in the junior males (U18).

“With top junior competitors, Wells and Sheehan competing in the open, the way is clear for other talented riders, such as Lyons and McDermid to come through in the highly competitive junior male category,” said Newport.

The NZ Free Ski Nationals finish tomorrow (Sunday) with the Halfpipe at the Snow Park.

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