Nearly ninety competitors lined up today at the top of Cardrona Alpine
Resort to compete for ten spots in the KGB streetstyle in Wanaka this
Saturday.
The jump at the top of Mac Dougall's chair attracted a huge crowd of
several hundred skiers and boarders enjoying the proceedings.
Each competitor had two runs with the best scoring run ranking the jumpers.
Head Judge Phil Taare was impressed with the overall level of riding.
"There was a high standard in the execution of manoeuvres by many of the
riders. There were a lot of spins, inverts and twists today."
The overall winner was Korean visiting professional Kim Sung-bae who stood
out with a flat flight above the judges and a 'lazy' 360 with a perfect
landing. "If he takes that form into the Streetstyle he will certainly be
a contender" noted Phil. Kim took away $250, his share of over $1000 in
cash prize money.
Only one woman and one skier made it to the Streetstyle. Yasuko Akutsu was
a stand out in the women's with two clean jumps and a very smooth
completion of manoeuvres. Hamish Ackland was the sole skier to pass muster
and go through to 'exhibit' in the downtown with a backflip and series of
360's.
"Overall the standard of riding was great, the entire day ran very
smoothly, so much so that it felt that there was always someone either in
the air or on their way down" according to event organiser Nigel Kerr. "As
usual there was a small section of competitors who took the kamikaze
approach. That if they throw themselves into the air and miraculously
manage to pull it off they might qualify or impress their friends. Most of
them landed on their heads so there were quite a few bruises dished out but
nothing too serious."
Boarder Zone Correspondent - Nigel Kerr
