Top Field Through to Friday's Finals at The North Face Freeski Open of NZ
Field Set for Men's, Women's Slopestyle Finals
Lake Wanaka, NZ (1 September 2011) - The North Face Freeski Open of New Zealand, presented by Volkl, kicked off today with an elite field of international riders vying for a spot in tomorrow's slopestyle finals at Snow Park.
And once again, the bar has been raised. New Zealand's Jossi Wells was the top man through the semi-finals with a winning run that included a backside lip slide disaster, a switch 270 on to 450 out, a switch right 720 mute grab and a switch left 1080 Japan grab.
Qualifying second was Italy's Markus Eder with a switch 270 to blind 270 out (rail), a blind 270 out, a switch right 720 tail grab and a huge switch left double cork 1080 safety grab. The third in the lineup was Canada's Vincent Gagnier with a nose butter 450 to 270 out, a 270 out, a left cork 900 tail grab and a switch right 1080 truck driver.
Also qualifying in today's semi-finals were Joss Christensen (USA), Elias Ambuhl (SUI), Chris Laker (USA), Charles Gagnier (CAN), AJ Kemppainen (FIN), Klaus Finne (NOR), Cyrill Hunziker (SUI), Takumi Toyama (JPN) and Erik Hughes (USA).
"We are happy to see two of The North Face riders, Markus Eder and Chris Laker, through to the finals," said The North Face's Stephen Winnacott. "We wish them the best in tomorrow's competition."
"The park at Snow Park is in great shape, and aside from the wind which presented some challenges, we had a great day," said head coach Rafael Regazzoni. "Everyone is looking forward to an epic day tomorrow."
The slopestyle finals begin tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Complete qualification results may be found here (http://live.eim-solutions.com/freeskiopennz2011/event/archive)
