Riding high in NZ's ultimate snow challenge
27 Jul 2010
World Heli challenge, Lake Wanaka
30 July - 8 August, 2010
Not for the faint-hearted, the World Heli Challenge in Wanaka is considered the most exotic snow-based event on the planet and brings the world’s top snowboarders and skiers to New Zealand for the "ultimate challenge".
The event starts on Saturday (30.07.2010) in the South Island region of Lake Wanaka, and promises spectacular action as the snowboarding and skiing skills of the world’s top athletes are put to the test.
Competitors will be flown by helicopter into a normally inaccessible remote mountain area and then face the ultimate challenge of free-riding or skiing out.
Mt Aspiring National Park
The World Heli Challenge involves an 'extreme day' and 'freestyle day' and takes place amongst the dramatic scenery of the Mt Aspiring National Park in the Southern Alps, on the western side of Lake Wanaka.
With several Olympians and the cream of the world’s top snow sports men and women heading to New Zealand’s South Island, the 2010 event will attract global attention as the chosen finalists compete for the title of "best all-round skier and snowboarder".
Top billing
Athletes from eight countries will be represented including Travis Rice from Wyoming, who is rated as one of the world’s most influential riders.
Several Olympians, including Julia Mancuso (ski racer, USA), Andy Finch (snowboard halfpipe, USA), Mitchell Brown (snowboard halfpipe, NZL), and Juliane Bray (snowboard halfpipe, NZL) will also take part.
And, back defending their 2009 titles will be Ted Davenport (overall men's skier), Janina Kuzma (overall women's skier), Andy Finch (overall men's snowboarder) and Janina's twin sister, Maria Kuzma (overall women's snowboarder).
The world's top ranked female big mountain skier, Ane Enderud (NOR) and snowboarder, Aline Bock (GER) will both be competing this year, giving the Kuzmas competition on their home territory.
Australia’s Chris Booth, Andrea Berchtold, Charlie Timmins and Boen Ferguson have also been confirmed for the event.
Mixed competition
The are just 50 spots available for athletes, divided into 18 male snowboardersand 18 male skiers, and seven female boarders and seven female skiers.
The three days of helicopter-accessed competition is staged over a two-week period to ensure perfect weather conditions. Athletes vie for top honours in extreme, free ride and downhill events, and the coveted overall World Heli Challenge Champion title.
The overall men and women's winners will receive free entry into the 2011 World Heli Challenge plus free entry into the King of the Hill and World Extreme Skiing Championships in Valdez, Alaska.
There is also an overall major prize known as the "Fktor" award which goes to the person who puts on the most "outstanding performance" of the event.
‘Exstreamtv’
The 2010 World Heli Challenge will again involve Australasia’s Exstreamtv with competition content streamed live.
An Exstreamstv Street Style Snow show will be held at the Hawea Hotel on 7 August followed by an "Afterburner party".
Truckloads of snow and a big ramp will be set up to ensure participants get plenty of air with a soft landing thanks to a giant "NZ airbag".
As well as the snow show, the family-orientated event with food and entertainment will raise money for a local community centre.
Favourite challenge
Two-time world champion and inaugural World Heli Challenge Champion, America’s Chris Davenport says the World Heli Challenge is his favourite competition on earth.
"No other ski or snowboard event combines freestyle, extreme and psycho downhill skills like the Heli Challenge," Davenport says.
Event organiser Tony Harrington says the incredible helicopter skills of the pilots, the unrivalled camaraderie amongst athletes and the two weeks of continuous adrenalin activities that the Wanaka region is renowned for make the heli challenge a stand-out event.
More information
New Zealand Winter 2010 highlights
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