Skiing: Wanaka skier to fore on day one

Taylor King, of Auckland, leads Beau-James Wells, of Wanaka, through the gates of the skier X course as Max Schikker (Wanaka) and Grayson Meyer-Budge (Lake Hawea) play catch-up in the under-14 race at Cardrona Alpine Resort yesterday. Photo by Matthew Haggart.

More than 200 junior skiers and boarders from around New Zealand and Australia have converged on Cardrona, during the first week of their school holidays, for the four-day event.

New Zealand junior freeski development squad member Sam Lee (18), of Wanaka, was a stand-out performer, finishing the morning's action as the top-ranked competitor from the big mountain qualifiers, before going on to win the under-19 skier X race in the afternoon.

Auckland-based Italian skier Arianna Tricomi (17) won the girls under-19 skier X race, edging Wanaka's Mikey Austin (16), who had to be content with her first place in the girls' big mountain competition.

New Zealand Winter Games entrant Ethan Meyer-Budge (15), of Lake Hawea, was too big and too strong for the under-16 field on his way to winning his age division, while Taupo's Rose Battersby (16) won the girls' race.

Beau-James Wells (14) held his line to swoop past Aucklander Taylor King (14) on the final bend to claim the under-14 skier X title in a thrilling race, while younger brother Jackson Wells (11) won his under-12 age group. The pair are younger brothers of top New Zealand freeskiers Jossi and Byron Wells.

In the giant slalom snowboarding races, Wanaka's Tim Herbert (14) won the under-16 title from a clutch of Australian riders, while a trio of youngsters from across the ditch dominated the under-14 age group.

Benji Sutherland (18), of Wanaka, claimed the under-19 junior title, while 18-year-old Taupo girl Hannah Orchard was the best junior woman in the competition.