Top honours in the World Heli Challenge, held in the mountains west of Wanaka last week, have gone to snowboarder Will Jackways, of Wanaka, and skier Jacqui Edgerly, of Alaska.
The pair were presented with their "X Factor" awards at a dinner in Wanaka last night after being judged to have had the best overall "aggressive performance" during the two-day event.
Head ski judge Dion Newport said Edgerly took the prize for her determination and "amazing line choice" and head snowboard judge Mike Hygemann said Jackways showed great control and use of terrain pulling off 360-degree spins and other tricks.
Seven photographers took 25,000 images in the competition for the best photographs of the competition.
The best shot from the "extreme" event is of Sam Smoothy, of Cromwell, and was taken on Mt Albert by Antony Hansen, of Hawea.
The best shot from the freestyle event is of George Pengelly, of New Zealand, in the Buchanan Mountains and taken by Miles Holden, of Queenstown.
The best "Canon Shot" was taken on Mt Albert by Mark Von Roy, of Germany.
