FIS events at Cardrona take shape

Mon 18 August 08

3rd-7th September will not only see the first ever FIS slopestyle event but also a WorldCup halfpipe comp, and many of the top names will be there

Snowboarding takes another step up for the 2008/2009 season with introduction of the first LG FIS ANC Continental Cup Slopestyle. Due to take place at Cardrona Alpine Resort on September 3, 2008, the first event of the FIS Series is expected to attract international riders from around the world before moving on to South America, Europe and North America.

“Being chosen to host Australasia’s first-ever FIS slopestyle event is a tremendous coup for New Zealand and for Cardrona Alpine Resort,” said Ross Palmer, CEO of Snow Sports New Zealand. “It’s a great opportunity for up-and-coming New Zealand athletes to gain FIS points and, just as importantly, it positions New Zealand as a leader in snowboarding.

“If this and future FIS slopestyle events are successful, there’s a distinct possibility that a slopestyle world championship will be organised,” Palmer added. “And that opens the door to potential inclusion in the Olympics in 2014.”

The first stop on the 2008/09 LG FIS Snowboard World Cup tour will take place on 6 September with over 100 athletes from 18 countries competing in the Southern Hemisphere’s only 22-foot halfpipe at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

The event has attracted a ‘who’s who’ of snowboarding, featuring high ranking riders as well as previous halfpipe World Cup winners, including Ryo Aono (JPN) who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and who took out the men’s halfpipe World Cup title in 2007. Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI) won the title in 2008 and is currently ranked just behind Aono as the world’s No. 2.

An extremely strong women’s field features the top five ranked women in the world. Manuela Pesko (SUI) is currently ranked No. 1 and has won the women’s halfpipe title each of the last two years. She is tied in first place with Liu Jiayu (CHN) who is relatively new to the World Cup circuit and has been impressing judges with her massive amplitude and consistent riding. Current world No. 3 is Holly Crawford (AUS) and tied fourth are Paulina Ligocka (POL) and Soko Yamaoka (JPN), all within easy reach of a victory at this first event of the season.

New Zealand riders are ready to take on this impressive international field on their home turf with Kendall Brown and Juliane Bray leading the way in the women’s field, both looking to improve their current top-20 standings. James Hamilton and Ben Stewart will also be looking to move up the ladder from their current top 40 positions in the men’s field.

For further information, visit www.snowsports.co.nz

Related Pages

  • One Pass New Zeland Tourists to Benefit from NZ One Pass Co-operative
    Tourists are set to be the big winners now eight of New Zealand’s top ski fields have joined forces to create the largest commercial ski network in the country. -26Apr12
  • Zoe Gillings at Sunday River Gillings Ranked World No 5
    Zoe Gilling’s, reached her 3rd World Cup final of the season in Blue Mountain, Canada, finishing in a remarkable 5th place. -9Feb12
  • Torgeir Bergrem wins the 2011 Winter Games NZ Mens Snowboard Slopestyle Winter Games NZ snowboard slopestyle results
    The ninth day of competition at the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games saw some of the world's top ranked freestyle snowboarders battle it out under picture perfect blue skies at Snow Park -21Aug11
  • Burton NZ 2011 open slopestyle winner Mark McMorris NZ Burton 2011 Results
    The first 5*TTR competition of the new season, the Burton New Zealand Open, was held at the weekend. Mark McMorris and Jamie Anderson win the slopestyle and Kelly Clark and Ryo Aono win the halfpipe -15Aug11
  • Zoe Gillings 3rd place at the World Cup Snowboard cross finals in Arosa 2011 Zoe Gillings comes 3rd in Arosa
    Britains Zoe Gillings re-affirmed herself as one of the best snowboard cross athletes in the World when she finished on the podium in 3rd place at the World Cup Snowboard cross finals in Arosa, Switzerland. -27Mar11
Related categories

:: FIS stories
:: Cardrona stories
:: LG FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe 08, Cardrona stories
:: FIS Continental Cup Slopestyle 2008, Cardrona stories

News feed AddThis Feed Button Add to Google
LG FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe 08, Cardrona
6-7 September 08

The first stop on the 2008/09 LG FIS Snowboard World Cup tour will take place on 6 September with over 100 athletes from 18 countries competing in the Southern Hemisphere’s only 22-foot halfpipe at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

Cardrona, New Zealand
Freeriding: 55% - No trees & some good off-piste
Freestyle: 80% - 2 Terrain parks & 4 pipes
Pistes: 55% - Some okay slopes
Related pages
Main headlines