Kiwi Ski and Board Pros at the Mt Ruapehu Xtreme Competition

Kiwi Ski and Board Pros Scoop Top Spots at the Mt Ruapehu Xtreme Competition

It was a standout performance at the Mt Ruapehu Xtreme competition last week with kiwis featuring on the podium in each of the four freeride skiing and snowboarding events, fending off top competition from several high profile international skiers and boarders.

The Mt Ruapehu Xtreme is a three-star qualification event for the Freeride World Tour, and was held at Whakapapa.

Wanaka’s Sam Lee has taken out the top spot in the men’s ski event, with Austrians Fabian Lentsch and Raphael Webhofer coming second and third respectively. In the men’s board event, Kiwis took out the top two spots with Colin Boyd of Wanaka coming first, Jordan Decker (Warkworth) and Raphael Bullet (Switzerland) third.

Leading the ladies table was Australian Nat Segal taking out the ski event, with Anna Smoothy (Wanaka) and Erica Prestige (Taupo) picking up second and third place respectively. In the woman’s board event, Swiss Ana Marea Zgraggen took out first place, and Wanaka’s Maria Kuzma and Malin Lindroos of Finland came second and third respectively.

Dion Newport, Free Ride World Head Ski Judge commented on the status of the event being as high in New Zealand as overseas free ride events.

“We had a huge international field, and the level of talent from home-grown riders was a standout for this Xtreme event. I am always happy coming back to my home field to judge, and it’s great to have an event of this status in the North Island,” says Newport.

Dave Mazey, General Manager of Mt Ruapehu said that he has been blown away by the standard of competition and proud of the Kiwi performance.

“This year the competition has attracted some well-known international talent, as well as some of the top names in Kiwi freestyle skiing and boarding,” says Mr Mazey. “I’m very impressed with the level of skiing and boarding showcased at Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa Ski Area”.

For more information please visit www.mtruapehu.com.

About the Freeride World Tour

The Freeride World Tour was originally established in 1996, called the Verbier Extreme and was strictly a snowboard contest. This all changed in 2004 when ten of the world’s top two-planked freeriders were invited to participate. Today the Freeride World Tour is an annual world ski and snowboard circuit that travels from Russia to America and back to Switzerland for the final events. The very cream of riders – skiers and snowboarders, men and women – all vie for an invitation to this prestigious event.

About Mt Ruapehu

Operated by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), Mt Ruapehu is home to the Whakapapa and Turoa ski areas. Mt Ruapehu is New Zealand’s largest ski area covering 800 hectares of lift accessed terrain, and is New Zealand’s only ski-in-ski-out facility, as well as having the longest ski and snowboard season in both Australia and New Zealand.

For further information, visit www.mtruapehu.com or www.facebook.com/mtruapehu

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