Cardrona Alpine Ski Resort will host two World Cup snow sports events from August 20-26, with world-class fields expected.
The FIS snowboard and freeski halfpipe competitions will be the first qualifying events for the 2014 Winter Olympics and preview the 2013 Winter Games NZ, Winter Games chief executive Arthur Klap said yesterday.
"We would expect 90% of the top competitors in the world to come to New Zealand to compete. The two events are also important build-ups for us for Winter Games next year when we will have eight World Cups [events]. In addition, Winter Games is keen to be able to provide annual benefits to both the sport and the local communities without having a full Games every year," Klap said.
The FIS freestyle ski halfpipe is a dual-sanctioned event with the Association of Freeski Professionals (AFP), allowing competitors to accumulate points on the AFP world circuit.
Snow Sports New Zealand chief executive Marty Toomey said events of this calibre in New Zealand provided opportunities to prepare for the Winter Olympics and develop athletes.
"The two World Cups will give our developing athletes the opportunity to compete alongside the best in the world, an opportunity that is otherwise very hard to get through the limited entries available in major overseas competition.
"These events will attract some of the top riders in the world due to their Olympic qualification status and 16 months out from the Olympics will give our athletes a chance to benchmark themselves against the best on home turf."
