Wind delays free ski event

Wanaka skier Anna Smoothy during her qualifying run for the big mountain final. Photo by Action...
Wanaka skier Anna Smoothy during her qualifying run for the big mountain final. Photo by Action Mickey Ross.
Strong winds at the Remarkables yesterday closed the skifield and delayed the big mountain final of the Freeski Open of New Zealand.

Organisers have their fingers crossed for a clearer day today.

The freeski competition in the Alta Chutes was to feature slope- style, halfpipe and big mountain skiing and moved from the Snow Park near Wanaka to the Remarkables on Tuesday.

Event judge Victoria Beattie said big mountain skiing was the modern evolution of extreme skiing.

"It's where competitors ski an off-piste mountain face with cliff faces and hopefully, powder snow. They are judged on their line and how they ski their line."

Despite strong winds and heavy fog on Tuesday, all 52 skiers completed their two runs during the qualifying round for the big mountain final due to be held yesterday.

Austrian skier Fabio Studer took the top qualifying position after his flawless run and Swede Tove Kockum won the women's qualifying run.

Second and third positions in both the men's and women's races were secured by New Zealanders.

For the men, Cantabrian Tom Brownlee was second and fellow Cantabrian George Pengelly third, while Anna Smoothy, of Wanaka, came second and Alex Brook third in the women's event.

Twelve men and three women qualified for the big mountain final and were added to the final list which included professional athletes and others who had pre-qualified.

Event manager Cameron Craighead said today's forecast was for slightly better weather than yesterday, but organisers had not decided what to do if the wind persisted.

 

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