28 August 2004

Day One Of South Island Snowboard Champs

The New Zealand Snowboard Association South Island Championships kicked off today at Cardrona Alpine Resort with the giant slalom and boarder-x disciplines.

The 540s giant slalom was the first event of the day with Jon Malcolm-Smith (Wanaka) running the fastest time in the senior men’s with a combined time of 104.92. Andrea Eckschlarger (Austria) was the fastest senior woman with 104.63 that was also quick enough to earn her second fastest time of the day. Fastest time went to 57 year old Graeme Burgess from Invercargill in the masters group with 103.02.

In the younger age groups, Joseph Mackenzie (16) from Dunsandel near Christchurch won the youth male with 109.41 while Phil Dominick (16) from Auckland won the junior male. In the girls Kendall Brown (15) from Mt Manganui took the youth title with 122.54 and Ellie Richards (16) from New Plymouth won the juniors with 119.32.

While the Onboard boarder-x time trials took place, racing was delayed until tomorrow morning at 9am due to poor weather. The Option Halfpipe in the Moro Monster Pipe will also take place tomorrow with qualifications starting at 11.00am.

ENDS