K2 Chill Big Mountain Competition

This weekend was the annual FWQ 2 star K2 Chill Big Mountain competition at Craigieburn in Canterbury. Format was 1 run each day over 2 days, combined to make your final score. Day 1 I skied technically well but choose a pussy line and skied it like even more of a pussy to sit ninth. Day 2 snow conditions deteriorated considerably so I kept the same line, staying with what I already knew. The ice threw me slightly off my line causing quite a spectacular crash - See below.

Cam McDermid, Tom Brownlee & Craig Murray scope theirs which would land them 3 of the top 4 spots

Ross Nimmo with a natural mystique

Craigieburn day lodge littered with remarkable talent

The judges perch including Sportive’s own Simon Night whose sponsorship makes this event happen

The venue – Middle Chutes

One of my Queenstown shred dogs, John Howland, ripped a sick line but came unstuck and fell down some bad exposure. He is recovering in Christchurch hospital from a broken pelvis and wrist… Wishing him a speedy recovery and back on shred horse soon!

Johns good friend and travel buddy, Dane Weister, takes a couple wind down laps after we were first on scene to assist John and package him into the chopper.

Owen Braddock shreds down his second run

Taylor Rapley airs into a chute on her way to winning the woman’s ski category, Ross waits to drop from the ridge

Tom Brownlee and Cam Mcdermid – stoked after their runs

Tom, Jason Waters & Cam of the podium from 3rd to 1st repectively taking high fives from the rest of the top ranks of the ski men

Results:

Snowboard Women:

1 - Mikaela Hollsten, FIN
2 - Tess Carney, USA
3 - Sara Hutman, FRA

Ski Woman:
1 - Taylor Rapley, NZL
2 - Elin von Friedichs, SWE
3 - Sanna Vikberg, SWE

Snowboard Men:
1 - Irian Van Helfteren, NLD
2 - Justin Bobb, USA
3 - Alexandre Alfano, FRA

Ski Men:
1 - Tom Brownlee, NZL
2 - Jason Waters, USA
3 - Cam McDermid, NZL

Bad ass Kea (native New Zealand mountain parrot, notorious for ripping shit to bits and common at Craigieburn)