Parklife Invitational rocks Queenstown with tricks and spills

More than 40 of New Zealand’s top freestyle skiers and riders showcased their best ‘tricks’ in front of thousands of spectators at the Parklife Invitational rail jam in downtown Queenstown tonight (Friday August 12).

Riders and skiers dropped down a specially-built 27-metre-long snow ramp, going head to head on a purpose-built stair feature covered by snow trucked down from nearby mountains.

The event was held as part of the opening ceremony of New Zealand’s ‘100% Pure Winter Games’.

The Remarkables terrain park crew set up the ramp and features for the iconic downtown event which thrilled a crowd of up to 3,000 with spectacular tricks and spills.

Wanaka freeski brothers Jackson and Beau James Wells, among the youngest competitors at just 13 and 15 respectively, showed off their skills with gravity-defying 720-degree spins while The Remarkables’ Nick Hyne also shone.

First prize overall and $2,000 cash went to snowboarder Nick Brown while the gong for best trick was taken out by Thubga Josayama (TJ) of Wanaka.

Top skier was Gus Kenworthy of the USA, first female boarder was Jen Brown from the UK, a Snowsports instructor at The Remarkables, and first female skier was Jule Seifert from Germany.

The Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence said he was delighted to have delivered a fantastic free event that had everyone in town buzzing.

“The Parklife Invitational for 2011 has been the best yet, in talent, crowd and atmosphere,” he said.

“The talent’s right here and it’s great to have this sort of spectacle in town for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s been a crisp and clear night, lit by a full moon which just adds to the atmosphere.”

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