05 July 2003

Three metre kicker
As ever the annual Big Air comp held at Queenstown's Coronet Peak was one of the highlights of this weeks Winterfest. The scene was set with a huge 3 metre high kicker with a 5 metre table top to clear, live outdoor music sets, local and international top riders and skiers with an audience in the hundreds the event enjoyed a happy but chilled party vibe.

Kiwi star Anthony Leffalaar took the title as undisputed champion of the day. According to judge Stu Rae Leffalaar showed great skill and demonstrated peak performance against stiff competition. "The competition was close and we were privileged to see real international talent and a greater number of competitors than in previous

Big prizes and big barcrawl
Chicks were also impressively represented in style though not so much in numbers. Hana Sullivan stole the show pulling huge, clean stalefish grabs and successfully stomping each one. Prize winners were stoked with $5000 (stlg 1750) worth of prize money for free skier / snowboard divisions male / female donated by Ansell and Contempo condoms. Runners up in the snowboard category each won $750 with second place in the ski division winning skis and bindings.

An awesome day was topped off with after party celebrations in Queenstowns's coolest bars allowing entrants to numb the pain of major slams and for spectators to join in regardless of skill or talent, making it an entertaining and competitive show. We saw some great tricks and were impressed overall by the standard of jumping considering the size of the jump, the hard packed snow and the fact we are so early in the season. Anthony Leffalaar put in some big spins and was a clear winner." Second and third places were awarded to Maximus Labbe and Marasti Pierre respectively.

"Landings as smooth as butter"
The skiers division of the comp saw equally as impressive performances. Judge Hamish Acland says "It was great to see the top three entrants all in switch. The standard was higher than ever and the landings were smooth as butter." First place was awarded to Sam Haseldine, second to Nick Draxi and third to Brad Prosser.

Report by Zoe Watson, Resort Reporter, Wanaka, NZ

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