Free Ski Junior Nationals Days Two And Three

8 August 2005

Free Ski Junior Nationals Days Two And Three K2 Halfpipe And Skier-X

Perfect conditions with clear blue skies and not a breath of wind heralded the start of day two of the FSANZ Junior Nationals at Cardrona Alpine Resort featuring the K2 Halfpipe and Skier-X.

The K2 Halfpipe turned on some spectacular riding with 15-year-old Jossi Wells astounding the crowd with the two most technical run of the day, both of which started with a clean Cork 9 (in layman’s turn a 900 degree spin, off axis).

In the Under 14’s younger brother Byron (13) went super big for his age group while Charlie Lyons of Christchurch won the U18’s with a smooth 540 as his first hit followed by a solid run. Youngest of the competing Wells brothers Beau (9), took out the U10s while fellow Wanaka skier, Raphael Beazley (10) won the Under 12’s.

“One of the most encouraging aspects of the day was that there was the biggest number of girls we’ve ever had in a pipe competition,” said head judge, Dion ?. Some had come all the way from the North Island with their coach – a huge effort on their part and great to see.” The trip was worth it with Michaela Poots of Motuoapa getting the highest score in the girls.

In the afternoon the action turned to the K2 Skier-X with competitors racing so hard and fast it was easy to forget some of them were just eight-years-old. The first U16 heat resulted in a mass pile-up with all four competitors taken out although Fraser McDougall recovered quickest and went on to win the heat – on just one ski!

All age groups were fiercely competitive with final victories going to Beau Wells in the Under 10’s, Olly Allan in the U12’s, Harry Pettit in the U14’s, Joel Woods in the U16’s and Andrew Wylie in the U18’s. In the girls Piera Hudson, Hannah James, Michaela Poots and Alison Reid all won their respective age groups.

The inaugural FSANZ Junior Nationals conclude tomorrow (Sunday) with the Calhar Slopestyle. For further information visit www.cardrona.com or www.freeskier.co.nz.

ENDS

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