Valle Nevado was an amazing place to be, the atmosphere was incredible with all the riders fully psyched on this first competition for the 2001 FIS season. The resort was perched at 3300m with the half-pipe and race hills just outside our hotel rooms and the giant hot tub.

The Kiwi's scored once again with the primo accomodation. Life was luxury in the Andes. As per usual at a World Cup comp, the half-pipe wasn't ready in time for training so myselfn Deni and Shelly had some great days free riding. The terrain reminded me of Turoa with beautiful packed spring snow only tracked out off the sides

Half-Pipe training ruled. The Pipe was longer than I was expecting with a 17ft wall and not much flat. It fell apart after a two hour session but improved as they rebuilt the pipe each day.

I had decided to do the Boarder-X even though it is a non Olympic event. It was the day befor the Pipe comp and the course was sick. Steep with lots of table top jumps and berms and gaps. I promised myself I wouln'd get hurt or take any risks.

In the first race I was leading up until the last jump when the girl in 2nd flew up and onto me causing a huge pile-up. I managed to still place 2nd putting me into the final round. The first corner of this next round another girl fell beside me, smashing my knee with her board. I had to cruise the rest of the course in Mega pain and end up in 8th place for the comp. Still in the prize money-$400 to take back home.

The Half-pipe followed the next day and it was a pearler. So many amazing riders trying their hardest to get to the finals. I decided to focus on having no sketches in my run and just be smooth and clean down the pipe. I pulled it off with a real smooth run of 9 hits, 2 spins, air to fakie and alley-oop. The height of my airs let me down and I placed 18th..