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Sunday, September 8, 2013

NZ Open

This year the open got gnarly.

The comp was held in the Alta Chutes at the Remarkables, as it has been for the last few years.

Alta Chutes

The venue had a fresh 10 to 15 cm of snow all over, which meant most of the lines on the main part of the venue were on.

For what ever reason people were feeling extra huckable this year.
I guess it would have to be a combination of fresh snow and the new freestyle movement within big mountain.

Although it always spices things up when you get the big dogs like Charlie lyons and Sam Smoothy over to play.


Photo By: Pete Oswald


Most of the competitors were throwing either big tricks or big cliffs, often attempting both together.
On the outside that sounds awesome, but when you look at the crash rate you have to wonder what happened.

Something like 16 out of 22 crashed, I guess people were just pushing their limits.

You only need to listen to Cam Craigheads commentary in the official comp edit below to understand what I mean:

NZ Open Big Mountain Finals Video


Photo: Neil Kerr



I tend to think I ski very safe in comparison to a lot of other skiers and even I got carried away in this specific comp.

I dropped the biggest cliff I ever have in a competition right into a chute which looking back on it had a fair amount of risk involved, but I was confident I could nail it.
And I did.

Although I stomped my line and finished my run, I took both knees to the face of the big cliff.
The impact made my vision green for a minute or so and although I don't believe I concussed myself I was pretty out of it for most of the afternoon.

I feel like a got lucky there.

Photo: Charlotte Percle


My run awarded me 3rd spot with a score of 8.55 just below Sam Smoothys 8.95.

Greg Tuscher took out the mens division with a mad dog gnarly run and a score of 9.55!
A pleasure to watch.

I feel like I am constantly achieving the goals I set for myself.

Although tricks are becoming a bigger part of the sport, It still seems that good ol fashion big mountain lines can get you on a podium.


Photo: Neil Kerr

Photo: Neil Kerr






Monday, September 2, 2013

Temple Basin Big Mountain

Photo Cred: Mark Bridgwater

The second competition of the Chill Series was held at Temple Basin, in Arthurs pass.

This trip was my first time skiing at Temple Basin and I can honestly say my mind melted.

The terrain surrounding the lift access is some of the most epic I have seen, anywhere.


Day one of competition started slow.
Due to and unstable and extremely difficult to ski snow pack, the venue was moved from the planned
location not long before we were due to start.


Photo Cred: Ace Media

The day one venue ended up being pretty limited, so I found It hard to pick a line that I was really excited to ski.
Although the bottom section was an on course inspection the top was visual only.
I scoped two lines which I realised were impossible by the time I was at the top.
I had to improvise and pick a new line from the top, so my run was not quite as exciting as I had hoped it to be.

Even still skied it solid and fast and was placed 4th at the end of the day.

Day two was held on the same venue and I managed to pick a better bigger line that I was more interested in skiing.

Everything went to plan, I skied fast without hesitation and I stomped all my airs clean.
I won the day and that put me into 1st place overall, my first Chill Series win!





Official comp video from Chill:
https://vimeo.com/73722962#at=0


Results at the bottom of the page.

Excerpt from day 2 write up up on Chill:

The men’s div saw no shortage of amazing skiing and huge airs, some a little more successful than others. Stand out runs on the day go to Sam Lee, Nick Pascoe and Jamesa Hampton who all sent solid airs with bomber landings!
Cam McDermid continued his good form and was once again back on the CHILL Series podium. Jeremy hunt had another solid run but Sam ‘Ibex’ Lee crushed it and took out top spot on the podium, much to the crowd’s delight.

I think it is important to thank Stu and Chill for running these comps and giving the Kiwi Big mountain community somewhere to test our skills.
Without them NZ big mountain skiing might not have reached the impressive standard it is at now.

Good job guys!