The effort the Cardrona crew have put in all season on their man made features gave the resort a clear victory and took the award back from Coronet Peak, which won it last year. Anyone who's been to the area this season will testify to their impeccably maintained Halfpipes (4 of them), Boardercross Track and Terrain Park. They have done an epic job and rightfully deserve the recognition signified by this award.

"Just as things seemed to be quieting down around 2am, organiser Guy Alty pulled out a big tray of Vodka Jellies and forced one or three down the throat of each person in attendance."

The NZSBA snowboarder of the year award this time went to Aaron Jamieson, the Queenstown rider who has pretty much won everything in sight this year - Halfpipe, Boardercross and Big Airs all around the country all through the season. It's good to see the results rewarded with this prize.

Dylan Butt, who retained his National Halfpipe title this year, won the Freestyle male of the year and the female Freestyle award went to Rachel Newton, who's been going hard in the Pipe and Big Air's all year.

Adam Dyck has been charging all season at Cardrona, winning the weekly boardercross series there. The real drama for Adam came just before the finish line in the final at the nationals. With just a couple gates to go and in a commanding lead, Adam missed a gate and was DSQ'd to finish 6th. However, his talents didn't go unnoticed and he takes the award for Best Male Boardercross rider. And anyone who saw Adam's run to win the national extreme's at Cardrona will know how much he deserves this step up in recognition! Rene Hollis was awarded Best Female Boardercross rider.

Once the awards were presented, it was all on for a raging party at Volcano Bar in Lyttleton, with many of the crew not getting home till dawn! Just as things seemed to be quieting down around 2am, organiser Guy Alty pulled out a big tray of Vodka Jellies and forced one or three down the throat of each person in attendance, ensuring an extra couple hours of intensity and some very sore heads on Tuesday morning (and afternoon).

The Awards:
NZSBA Rider of the Year:
Aaron Jamieson
Freestyle Male Rider:
Dylan Butt
Freestyle Female Rider:
Rachel Newton
Boardercross Male Rider:
Adam Dyck
Boardercross Female Rider:
Rene Hollis
Alpine Male Rider:
John Shelly
Alpine Female Rider:
Louisa Muir
Junior Male Rider:
Will Jackways
Junior Female Rider:
Christa Woerlee
Contribution to Snowboarding:
Graham 'Spy' Dunbar
Retailer of the Year:
Cheapskates (Christchurch) .

— Shaydar, BoarderZone.com Staff |HAVE YOUR SAY|