Chris Booth (Australia) flies into second place on the
freeride day at the World Heli Challenge. The event was the
first of three days of helicopter-accessed ski and
snowboard competition being held near Wanaka. Photo by Tony
Harrington.
World Heli Challenge organiser Tony Harrington is
delighted with the success of his revived back-country snow
sports and media showcase, based in mountains around Wanaka
during the past fortnight.
The Australian revived the event this winter after a
seven-year lay-off.
Mr Harrington said the challenge ran smoothly and he was
pleased with the content created for future television
programmes, a Sundance film festival production and a Warren
Miller cinema production.
Between 500 and 600 hours of television footage was shot,
focusing on the region's snow sports and adventure
activities.
Some of the footage would be screened at travel and trade
shows in Australia.
Wanaka sisters Janina and Maria Kuzma have won the top
women's prizes for best skiing and snowboarding,
respectively, while the men's events were won by Ted
Davenport (United States, ski) and Andy Finch (US,
snowboard).
All snow-based filming was finished, but adventure filming
would continue for a few more days, Mr Harrington said.
The Australia-based camera operator said yesterday he planned
to return to live in Wanaka and stage the event again next
year.
- marjorie.cook@odt.co.nz
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