Cardrona To Host Premier Snowboarding Comp

Cardrona To Host Premier Snowboarding Comp

Cardrona Alpine Resort is once again hosting the ultimate event in the Southern Hemisphere’s snowboard calendar, the Burton NZ Open on 17 July 2004. The world’s top riders together with New Zealand’s best will battle it out for supremacy in the Johnny Superpipe.

“Last year the event attracted Olympic gold medallists Ross Powers and Kelly Clark from the USA and some of the largest crowds ever seen at a New Zealand snowboard event,” said Guy Alty of Burton. “This year we’re expecting a number of top riders fresh from the World Cup in the Northern Hemisphere which’ll make for some spectacular competition as these guys know no bounds when it comes to the half pipe.”

In addition to the NZ Open, which carries a large pool in prize money, the competition is preceded on 16 July by an informal Rail Jam session in Cardrona’s renowned Heavy Metal terrain park.

“It’s going to be a real privilege to see some of the world’s best riders hit the rails and throw down aerials off the table tops,” said Cardrona’s Nigel Kerr. “It’s not every day you see this level of riding in New Zealand.”

Kerr goes on to say that the Burton NZ Open has raised New Zealand’s profile in the snowboarding world considerably, providing a boost for the industry and local riders.

“Until last year many of our most promising riders didn’t have the opportunity to measure themselves against the world’s best as all the high profile open competitions took place in the Northern Hemisphere. The advent of the Burton NZ Open has not only given them the chance to gain some invaluable competitive experience on home turf but has also introduced New Zealand to a very influential snowboarding audience. Another positive outcome is it became obvious to everyone we have some very talented athletes here. They rose to the challenge and positioned New Zealand riding at a whole new level.”

Sponsors of the event are Burton Snowboards, Vodafone, New Zealand Snowboarder, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Nixon and Gravis.

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