The World Heli Challenge beginning in Wanaka this weekend, will put online the 60 international freeriding skiers and snowboarders drawn to the region for two weeks.
The event's founder, Tony Harrington, said in a media release this week that one of the most exciting elements of the snowsport challenge was the ability to create a variety of media projects focused around the action.
The programme includes a range of "Shootout" awards for 15 photographers and cinematographers.
A new judging system has been introduced which involves filming every athlete's run with two long-lens cameras and putting footage on the event website so it can be viewed both by overseas judges and by interested members of the public.
"Until now, judges have been required to make what can sometimes be hasty and inconsistent scoring decisions whilst on the mountain during the staging of the event. We believe the online judging format is the best and fairest way to award athletes their points and embraces the technologies available to make our sport better," Mr Harrington said.
Athletes include Ted Davenport, of the United States, Anne-Flore Marxer, from Switzerland, Chris Booth, of Australia, and New Zealanders Will Jackways, Jake Koia, Abby Lockhart, Maria Kuzma, Janina Kuzma and Sam Smoothy.
Former world champion surfer Mark Occhilupo, of the US, who is a World Heli Challenge TV host, will surf on the West Coast as part of the media programme.
The media launch is at 3pm on Sunday on the lakefront across from Pembroke Park.
The adventure snowsports event will raise funds for the SOS Outreach programme at the Snow Park on Tuesday next week. The SOS Outreach programme is a nonprofit organisation that offers a youth leadership curriculum.
The Snow Park launch on Tuesday from 5pm includes night-riding, movies, music and a silent auction.
The event will finish with an awards night at the Lake Wanaka Centre on August 11.
