Video Coverage is Here! Choose Modem speed (28k) (56k) (T1) 1/2 Pipe Results: Men: 1/ Dylan Butt 2/ Quentin Robbins 3/ Tsuyoshi Fujiso 4/ Niels Wpellar Women: 1/ Julianne Bray 2/ Sasha Rhzy 3/ Suzy Parker 4/ Rachel Newton Juniors: 1/ Jah Harris 2/ Mitchell Brown K2 Giant Slalom The 1998 K2 Event The 1997 K2 Event

The pipe chosen for the event was the 'Monster'. It was an obvious choice due to it's size according to head judge Ste'en Webster. Big walls allow the good riders to really gain a lot of air out of the pipe. It's what the spectators come for as well.

The halfpipe event today is the first of four regional qualifying events being held for the NZ Snowboard Nationals later in the year. As such it was a good indicator for the intense season ahead.

In the women's event Australian champion Sasha Rhzy gave the Kiwi girls a scare. Going into the finals in top place. However, with two good high scoring runs local Julianne Bray came through a clear winner. ' Behind those two Suzy Parker, 1998 NZ champion and Rachel Newton.

The men's field contained many of the best Kiwi riders and the final dozen riders were getting up to 2.5m clear of the pipe. Number 2 ranked Japanese rider Tsuyoshi Fujiso put in some very technical runs but was unable to get in range of high flying Dylan Butt and settled for third. Dylan also left Quentin Robbins in a distinct second place. Dylan's three final runs were the top 3 scores of the day.

The event continues tomorrow with the Giant Slalom

Boarder Zone Correspondent - Nigel Kerr