Epic Snow but Challenging Weather at The North Face Freeski Open Big Mountain Qualifiers
The Remarkables, New Zealand (14 September 2011) - Competitors in The North Face Freeski Open Big Mountain qualifiers were treated to amazing snow today but the weather proved challenging with low visibility followed by heavy winds.
"In the end we had to go with a one run qualification," said event director Cam Craighead. "At one point the winds reached 125 km and the Shadow Chair was closed. We didn't have the best-case scenario but that's the reality when you are dealing with a sport that involves weather. It's pretty common at Big Mountain events."
"In typical New Zealand fashion, the wind died and skies cleared shortly after the decision to call off the second run was made but it was too late to get it all rolling again," said head judge Dion Newport.
"While the 20 cm of new snow in Shadow Basin was amazing, it proved troublesome for some of the competitors with just enough snow to conveniently hide the rocks," said Newport.
"Given the flat light, the athletes skied really well."
A field of 24 men competed for ten spots in the finals where they will join the ten invited riders. Kiwis filled the top seven spots with the remaining three going to Americans.
Standouts included Pete Oswald with a score of 7.63 followed by Logan Sweeney who scored 7.47, Tom Brownlee who finished with a score of 7.30 and George Pengelly with a score of 7.23.
"Pete did a huge move at the top and then got really nice air through a chute at the bottom to finish a really clean run," said Newport. "Logan got some really good airs, with one of the biggest airs of the day at the bottom on to an icy landing which he managed to stick. Tom, a Mt Olympus skier, showed his club field experience getting two good airs over rocks at the top followed by clean skiing with a good air at the bottom."
"George, who's only 15 years old, was a strong contender for the podium."
The remaining six to qualify were Hayden Seddon, Roy Schott, Harry Giddings, Patrick Baskins, Taylor Seaton and Jason Waters.
Three women made it through the qualifiers today including Norway's Anja Gardii, Australia's Hanna Fisher and America's Vanessa Aadland. They will join New Zealand's Janina Kuzma, Mitchey Greig and Nicola Eves in the six women finals. Eves was wildcarded to the finals after a strong performance at last year's Big Mountain competition at Mt Ruapehu.
"Anja skied super fast and did four good airs in her run dealing with the snow really well," said Newport. "Especially given she was second out of the gate for the day."
"Hannah's great skiing technique and two good airs are what earned her second place in the qualifiers."
"Vanessa's run was really fast with two really solid airs."
While there was an option to add a few more competitors in the final rounds there were no wild cards today.
"It was a clear cut for those going on to the finals," said Newport. "The finals venue is very exposed and steep. It's only for those who really proved they could ski in any sort of snow condition."
The finals venue is new to big mountain competition. It will be one of the most challenging venues ever used by the Freeski Open. There are three major chutes with multiple line choices and opportunity for lots of big air. The venue also provides amazing viewing for spectators.
"The venue is so exposed that avalanche control is being facilitated from helicopters," said Craighead.
It looks likely that the finals, which will be based out of The Remarkables, will be held on either Friday or Saturday, weather permitting.
"Weather is being assessed on a day-to-day basis. We will post updates to the website and facebook," said Craighead.
Those seeking full results and/or more information on The North Face Freeski Open of New Zealand, presented by Volkl can log on to www.nzfreeskiopen.com
