World snowboarding No 1 Jamie Anderson is on her way to
Queenstown to compete in the Billabong slopestyle event held
in Wanaka this week and the New Zealand Open starting next
Monday at Cardrona.
The first of the two competitions runs over three days
starting tomorrow, and Anderson will touch down today at
Queenstown airport.
Anderson told the Otago Daily Times yesterday she was looking
forward to getting here and checking out one of her favourite
spots in the world.
"I'm very excited. I think the New Zealand Open is a great
event and all of us riders look really forward to kicking off
our season with this event," she said.
Anderson was the youngest Winter X Games gold medal winner
when she won the slopestyle event aged 16 four years ago. She
still holds that record.
Now, at 20, Anderson is the TTR world women's champion and
has won nearly 20 competitions worldwide. She has won the
overall world tour twice.
She is determined to hold on to her world No 1 ranking this
year, starting with the season opener.
"I would love to keep top honours and progress this year."
The Californian admits there will be some big challengers
here during the week.
"Well, it's the first event to get points for all of us and
they [world rankings] could change 100% and it could go
either way," she said.
Competition in the slopestyle will heat up this year due to
the large number of international and local riders looking to
claim the major titles.
Anderson nailed first place last year and she said she was
impressed with the mountain conditions.
"It's good snow, great conditions. I just love going there."
Anderson's boyfriend, who is a cinematographer, will be
joining her for the trip and podcasting a documentary of
their trip.
"We're planning a road trip after the open to the Milford
Sound. I'll have some free time to enjoy the country -maybe
go to the coast, sky-dive, heli-board. I want to do it all."
Anderson has her eyes firmly set on a gold medal at the
Winter Olympics in 2014.
"I'm so excited for the Olympics. There is so much excitement
already here for it and my family's really excited."
- Olivia Caldwell
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