Top Kiwis also showed out in force, with Queenstown¹s Dylan Butt taking second in the snowboard event, followed by Methven-based rider Ryan Bluett in third.

The women¹s snowboard event was dominated by Kiwi Hana Sullivan, who threw a backflip in the first round of the finals, followed by a well executed backside 360 in the second. She was followed by second placegetter Momoe Iko
(Japan) with fellow Kiwi Paula Mitchell in third.

Competitors and industry insiders rated the event as the best Montana Christchurch Big Air yet, with Cathedral Square packed out with around 10,000 spectators jostling for the best view of the tricks on offer.

Among the tricks showcased during the two rounds of tonight¹s finals were a corked 900 from Thovex, a misty flip 720 from Kondo, and a daring switch backflip (skiing onto the jump backwards) from Marguet.

The snowboarders demonstrated their awesome abilities with tricks including a switch 720 from Butt, and a near-flawless switch rodeo 720 from Rice in the first round of finals.

Event manager Karl Randall was thrilled with the event, which comprised an elite field of invited skiers and snowboarders, and guaranteed an extremely high standard of competition. This was boosted by the inclusion of Kondo and compatriot Masanari Fukuoka (first and second respectively in the Queenstown Big Air recently), along with Thovex, Marguet, Rice, Iguchi and fellow American Carston Bahnson.

The enthusiastic crowd supported all competitors during the early practice rounds and two rounds of heats, followed by the action-packed final.

Final placings were: Men¹s snowboard Travis Rice, Jackson Hole, USA, 1; Dylan Butt, Queenstown, 2; Ryan Bluett, Methven, 3. Men¹s skiing Candide Thovex, France, 1; Makato Kondo, Japan, 2; Matthieu Marguet, France, 3. Women¹s snowboard: Hana Sullivan, Queenstown, 1; Momoe Iko, Japan (spending season in Methven), 2; Paula Mitchell, Methven, 3.