Freeride Day Extreme Day Chinese Downhill Gallery Background

The final day of The World Heli Challenge kicked off yesterday, with the Chinese Downhill.

The event rules are simple: Don't jump the gun, Cross the line first to win. It's a straight-line tuck to the bottom and the difference in runs comes down to the wax job and starting position.

Excited and nervous competitors hit extremely high speeds over the course, concentrating on not falling, to avoid injury. Fortunately there were no injuries and the professional athletes maintained balance and speed, tucking into themselves as tight as possible through the course of natural obstacles.

The course was short with deep powdery snow, a couple of rollers added to the excitement when hit at this high speed launching the competitors into the air, struggling to land solid and not hit anyone else. The runs were quick and exciting, and once the finish line was crossed it signalled an end to the three days of events for this year The World Heli Challenge.

Once the final Chinese Downhill was over, they hung out on the top of New Zealand's Southern Alps and discussed the day's activities. Not satisfied however, with the adrenalin rush of the Chinese Downhill some built a quarter pipe, while others hiked to the higher peaks for an extra charge of serration. Marc Andre Believeau ruled the quarter pipe session, even though he was on his huge racing skis. Also impressing the crowd was Patrik Leistedt on skis as well. Interesting to the note that mostly skiers took the quarter pipe option while mostly snowboarders hiked the peak and free rode down, slashing the deep snow, dropping cliffs and riding in the many untouched chutes. New Zealand's Sam Hazledine, dropped off an impressive sized cliff perfectly, charging on down the hill.

The four helicopter pilots, responsible for ferrying the competitors, organisers, media, and spectators up the hill for the three days of events cut loose, and displayed some of their skills by 360 degree spinning and diving into valleys. The charged crew off loaded the helicopters, set for a huge night of partying in the small town on Wanaka in New Zealand's South Island.

While all The World Heli Challenge events are now finished, still left for a lot of the competitors is the Boost Big Air on Saturday.

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