A $40,000 Prize Pool is what entrants competing in the Marmot Extreme Skiing & Snowboarding Competition are vying for when they hurl themselves down the dangerous double black diamond terrain known as The Pinnacles at Whakapapa Ski Area, the largest area in New Zealand.
Opoen to both skiers and snowboarders
In its second year the Marmot Extreme Comp is one of the few Big Mountain competitions in the world that includes skiing and snowboarding (and telemarkers!).
The Comp is open to anyone 18yrs old and older and will be held at Whakapapa Ski Area on Mt. Ruapehu from 23-26 September 2006 (with extra contingency days if needed).
Geoff Small & Hamish Acland raring to rip...
Already some big names within freeskiing have committed to ride. Ex-Mt Ruapehu Pro Patroller and sponsored Marmot skier Geoff Small will be competing. He may be a local boy, but he's a global palyer on the freeski scene. Geoff was seven times New Zealand Big Mountain Freeskiing Champion and 3 times North American Freeski Champion during his career! Geoff will also be running a Freeskiing Clinic during the week before the Comp (not surprisingly spaces are highly sought!).
However, an air of anticipation has arisen ever since Hamish Acland, currently World Freeski Tour #5 ranked athlete, confirmed he'll be there. Hamish pushed Geoff into a controversial 2nd place at this year's NZ Freeski winner at Treble Cone. A riveting battle for supremacy is expected.
Awesome in-bounds terrain awaits the riders
“The in-bounds extreme terrain here at Mt Ruapehu is insane. No other commercial ski area in NZ comes close to it for sheer challenging terrain, except maybe the Chutes at Treble Cone. We encourage skiers and boarders from NZ and around the world to come and try their luck at winning part of the $40,000 prize pool, thanks to our sponsors Marmot, 4FRNT Skis, Option Snowboards, Giro Helmets and Nokia”! Mt. Ruapehu Marketing Coordinator Tim Wilkinson said.
More details on Mount Ruapehu website.
[Source: Mt Ruapehu]
