The inaugural 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games came to a close today on a wintery Coronet Peak in Queenstown. The celebrations were marked by a closing ceremony that featured aerials, a parade of nations down the mountain and the New Zealand Prime Minster before a final closing by Ngai Tahu elder Sir Tipene Regan and a celebratory fireworks display.

Over 800 athletes, 40 countries, 400 volunteers and 37 events over 10 days marked the first 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games which was heralded a success by athletes, stakeholders and organisers alike.

Winter Games NZ chairman, Sir Eion Edgar, said that it had been a fantastic 10 days and it was a credit to the athletes who had made these Games an outstanding world class event. He then presented the award for the top performing country of 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games to Canada who won 10 gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals. The USA was runner up, followed by Japan.

Prime Minister John Key said he was proud to showcase New Zealand to the international athletes and it was testament to the commitment of the athletes that they were prepared to compete in spite of challenging weather conditions. He also paid tribute to the many volunteers who were instrumental to the success of the event and went on to indicate his support of the 2011 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games.

Winter Games NZ CEO, Arthur Klap, said the international coverage of the event had been outstanding with expected global TV audiences of 500 million and extensive print and internet coverage.

"It has been highly rewarding that this inaugural 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games has reached all the objectives that we set. Not only did we get the targeted number of competitors but the qualify far exceeded expectations and we had a number of Olympic and X Games medallists. Most satisfying is the incredible international media interest and although the weather has been against us, we have still achieved fantastic still and video images for international audiences"

WinterGamesNZ.com
Monday, August 31st, 2009

Big Air marks final day New Zealand Winter Games

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand (August 30 2009 - Some of the world’s top freeskiers and snowboarders took part in the ultimate battle at the Queenstown Resort College Big Air today on the final day of the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games at Coronet Peak.

Despite high winds and rain, the crowds packed out the Coronet Peak deck to watch local freeskier names such as Jossi Wells and Beau-James Wells dominate the monster 85ft kicker, but it was 18-year-old Bobby Brown from the USA who struck gold with a double-cork 1080 mute, landing him an impressive 83.33 points.

"The jump was just perfect for me, I really enjoyed it," he said. "The landing was soft and slushy, which made it difficult for some of the guys but you just have to make the most of it and I had a lot of fun. I'll be heading back to Colorado very happy to have won."

Head freeski judge Phil Larose said he was impressed with how the skiers battled the conditions.

"The weather was the big issue with only the ‘braves' wanting to jump - it's a risky game and it was scary seeing some of the riders overshoot due to the high winds. Because of the conditions none of the riders reached their full potential but Bobby Brown stole the show with his double cork 1080 mute," he said.

Second place went to Sweden's Kim Boberg who scored a total 74.67 points and in third place was local Byron Wells on 71.60 points. Crowds also went wild for 13-year-old Beau-James Wells and older brother Jossi Wells from Wanaka, with spectators filling out the restaurant and deck to catch the action.

Jacob McLeary, a freeski judge, was impressed with how well the riders performed.

"The riders were nervous at the start but in the end everyone enjoyed themselves and threw down some pretty big tricks. Bobby Brown was stand out and didn't let the conditions get to him. It was testament to the high level of these athletes that they could still throw down very technical tricks, including double corks which are relatively new to the sport and not often seen in New Zealand."

The snowboarding contest was cancelled after the qualifiers, so the judges used the qualifying scores as results.

New Zealander Stef Zeestraten pulled off a well-executed backside 7 and his second hit was huge with a switchback 9, but unfortunately he wiped out. However his first run was enough to put him at the top of the field with an overall score of 22.5 points. Close behind, Jan Necas (CZE) rode into second place with a frontside inverted 5 while Queenstown's Nick Hyne stomped a frontside 7 earning him the final place on the podium.

Ste'en Webster, snowboard judge watched how the riders still wowed the gathered crowds below.
"It was a good competition considering the conditions and the top three riders really stepped up and threw down huge tricks," he said.

The women's competitions in both freeski and snowboarding were unable to run due to weather.

Chris Schuster, Big Air Manager, helped make sure the riding conditions were as controlled as possible.

"It was disappointing we had to make adjustments to the start list as conditions were far from perfect. The riders, both skiers and snowboarders, made the best out of the conditions but were limited to what they could do," he said.

"Working with Winter Games NZ has been great for a first-time event, helping get it off the ground - I'd be very excited to get involved again in the future."

WinterGamesNZ.com
Monday, August 31st, 2009

Intense freeski halfpipe competition at 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games

After the wild weather of previous days, conditions mellowed but tricks remained intense for the freeski halfpipe at 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games.

American skier Taylor Seaton took gold in the men's competition with a score of 84.20 out of 100. Victory capped a successful NZ season for the Colorado resident following his second place in the Volkl NZ Freeski Open at the same venue nine days before.

The winner of that event, local favourite Jossi Wells, couldn't repeat his success at Winter Games NZ and pulled out early into his first run. "It's all part of the game," he said, clearly disappointed not to put on a show for his home crowd. "I injured my knee in the slopestyle and knew after the first hit that it wasn't going to hold up. Hopefully I can make it to the big air tomorrow."

David Wise of the USA came second in the men's event with 80.80 after nailing a double flare in his second run - one of the tricks of the day. This pushed Xavier Bertoni of France into third place by just 0.2 points. The reigning X-Games champion and current FIS world number two matched Wise's back-to-back 9s but was just shaded out by the American's style.

Lyndon Sheehan of Wanaka was the top Kiwi, flying into fifth place with a great first run. Jossi's younger brothers Byron (17) and Beau-James - just 13 - finished 11th and 15th respectively. Olly Allan was 17th while Andy Bowie tied for last place with world number one Kevin Rolland from France who couldn't land some huge tricks in the gusty conditions.

Taylor Seaton said this was his first win in a while, "The weather turned out good and this is definitely my best trip to New Zealand. Competing here means I can go home and start next season off real strong."

In the women's event, Swiss skier Mirjam Jaeger was a clear winner marking a successful return from injury. She scored 83.80, five points ahead of Rosalind Groenewoud. Fellow Canadian, Dania Assaly just edged FIS world number two Anais Caradeux from France out of the medals.

Mirjam Jaeger said, "I just feel great - what else is there to say? I'm super stoked right now. I love New Zealand. I'm definitely going to be back next year!"

Janina Kuzma was the highest placed New Zealand woman in 5th place, followed by Amy Sheehan (6th), Bridie-Anne Read (8th) and Hannah James (10th).

Head judge Phil Larose was impressed by the competition at Cardrona, "It went super well. Organisation here was really professional and the athletes felt very comfortable - as if they were competing at X-Games.

"Taylor pulled it all together today and ran really well from top to bottom. Despite the strong wind that held some competitors back he had great amplitude and wasn't conservative.

"I'm really happy that the girls showed a lot of variety in their tricks today. We were looking for clean style, amplitude and a good choice of tricks. Mirjam showed she can ski clean and smooth and was an easy winner to pick."

WinterGamesNZ.com
Monday, August 30th, 2009