Sporting mayhem champions at Queenstown Winter Festival

Media release from American Express Queenstown Winter Festival
2 July 2011

Sporting mayhem champions at Queenstown Winter Festival

Wild and wacky sports and classic Kiwi entertainment continue to dominate the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival programme as it draws to a close.

Nigel 'Retro Lady' Lloyd of Queenstown slides to the finish line for the Suitcase Race.

Today on-mountain assault courses and suitcases raced down the slopes in style were the flavor of the day at the Air New Zealand Holidays Mountain Mayhem on Coronet Peak. Watched by hundreds of bemused skiers and boarders about 20 people took part in the Dash for Cash race, which was won by Andy Fellows (men’s) Carly Tyler (women’s) and Hadyn Key (veteran).
Shortly after, 20 suitcase-wielding entrants took part in the infamous Suitcase Race but it was the reigning champion from 2010, Nigel ‘Retro Lady’ Lloyd of Queenstown, who slid into first place in the men’s division, swiftly followed by Will ‘Lego Man’ Oswald also of Queenstown, who completed the course painted in blue and fully wearing his leather suitcase.
In the women’s leg, Kelly ‘Buns of Steel’ Zontine of Queenstown won first place followed by Hayley Stevenson also of Queenstown, in second place.
Meanwhile on the other side of town more than fifty hard-core cyclists from all over the country arrived for the AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand Cyclocross Championships at Jardine Park in Kelvin Heights. Dan Warren rode in first place in the men’s heat, followed by Alex Rivell in second. Both men are from Wellington. In the women’s Ania McDonald of Dunedin won first place followed by Melissa Newell of Queenstown.
Tonight the Stoneleigh Jazz Night at Skyline showcases world class Jazz with some of New Zealand’s top musicians including international jazz export Nathan Haines, songstresses LA Mitchell and Sacha Vee, Funksters Oval Office, plus Rythmonyx and one of New Zealand’s most in demand jazz/junk/dub bands – Tahuna Breaks.
Tomorrow some of New Zealand’s best skiers and boarders, including Nick Hyne and Thomas Battersby join The Remarkables Parklife crew for the Quiksilver BoxZilla competition on the ski field’s beginners’ slopes in front of the Base Building. The BoxZilla is described as a 'ridiculously fun event involving lots of boxes'. It’s all about putting the fun back into snowboarding competitions, and is created by placing multiple boxes consecutively, forming an uber box – he or she who hits the box with the most style and goes the furthest, wins!

The Quiksilver BoxZilla is free for all to enter with prizes including $2,000 cash plus Quiksilver vouchers and Freedom Dolly skateboards for the top performing female and male snowboarders and skiers.

MC Josh Clarke will be playing tunes and giving out bonus prizes throughout the day.

Entries will be taken on the day from 9 -10.30am. The Quiksilver Afterburner party will follow at Revolver in Queenstown from 9pm with the first 150 people arriving receiving a gift and going into the draw to win bonus prizes including Quiksilver and Roxy snow outerwear and accessories.

For full programme details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.
Tickets for all events can be bought from TicketDirect online at www.ticketdirect.co.nz, by phone 0800 224 224 (03 450 9110), or in person at the Queenstown Events Centre or Queenstown i-Site (corner of Shotover and Camp streets)*.

Winter Starts Here! From 24 June to 3 July the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival celebrates 37 years of winter fun and festivities with 10 days of totally outrageous and uniquely Queenstown events. Join us on Facebook, become a Friend of Festival and keep an eye on www.winterfestival.co.nz to be first with the latest news and hot updates. For more information about Queenstown visit www.queenstown-nz.co.nz.
Ticket service fees apply.
ENDS

Festival Background
Since first being staged in 1975 by Queenstowners who thought the arrival of snow was a ‘great excuse for a party’, the Festival has evolved to forge a unique identity as New Zealand’s premier celebration of all things winter. Now an iconic event cemented on New Zealand’s calendar, it attracts 30,000 attendees and injects a whopping $50 million back into the local economy.

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