While most of the athletes are professionals, Sam Hazledine, managing director of Queenstown-based MedRecruit, decided to throw his hat into the ring only about two months ago.
While he may have decided on a whim to see if he could enter, he certainly has the qualifications which may see him as the dark horse in the men's competition.
Hazledine (30) was at the top of his game until a life-threatening head injury in 2002 put him in a coma for two days.
Doctors said he was unlikely to function at a high level again, was unlikely to be able to return to medical school and would certainly never ski again.
The extreme sports enthusiast would have none of it - within two months he was back in medical school and in 2003 won the national freeski title.
"It [skier cross] is one of the things I used to do - 2003 was the last year I competed full-time. I won the nationals, the extreme and the skier cross for New Zealand."
Hazledine is the only New Zealand man entered in the event, which he describes as "like motocross on snow, without the motorbikes".
In the knock-out competition four competitors begin each race, with the first two finishers going through to the next round.
Queenstown-based Mitchey Greig (20) will represent New Zealand in the women's event.
Hazledine competes at Cardrona on August 27.
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