Young Kiwi Freeskiers Impress World’s Best
Two young New Zealand freeskiers have achieved remarkable results on the USA competitive circuit during their Northern
Hemisphere training season taking podium places in nearly every competition they competed in.
Jossi Wells (14) and younger brother Byron (12), who train at Cardrona Alpine Resort near Lake Wanaka, competed in the
US Open Freeski Championships and the US Nationals as well as a number of smaller events in which they consistently came
first or second.
Jossi made it to the semifinals in the US Open Halfpipe and came 2nd in the US Nationals, both times competing against
skiers twice his age. Byron came 1st in his age group in the US Nationals Halfpipe and was also one of the top three
selected to compete in the Sports Illustrated for Kids Next Snow Search.
Their biggest achievement was their involvement in the World Superpipe Championships in Park City. An invitation-only
event for the world’s top 15 skiers, the brothers had so impressed world freeski champions Tanner Hall (USA) and Jon
Olssen (SWE) they were invited to forerun the event in front of thousands of spectators.
Then, in a dream come true, one of the competitors dropped out and Jossi was able to compete. As the youngest competitor
in the history of the competition, his remarkable display of riding and confidence earned him 8th place.
This outstanding result culminated in a personal invitation by Jon Olssen to take part in his elite invitational event
in Sweden, an invitation only extended to the world’s best freeskiers. Unfortunately an injury sustained in the US
Nationals prevented Jossi from taking part and the brothers returned to New Zealand this week.
Both brothers feel their skiing has benefited hugely from their time in the States and said the level of support given
to them was amazing.
“My skiing has improved so much and I feel more confident about doing my tricks,” said Jossi. “The standard of skiing in
the States is so much higher than in New Zealand and with so many good people, you really want to push yourself and get
as good as them. They were all really encouraging and I performed better as everyone was helping me and egging me on.”
“It was awesome standing at the top of the superpipe in front the biggest crowd I had ever skied for – it just made me
want to go higher,” said Byron of the World Superpipe Championships. “It was unreal skiing with all the pros we’ve been
watching in movies. We learned heaps from them and got loads of ideas.”
The brothers will train at Cardrona Alpine Resort for the New Zealand winter, defending their national titles and
continuing their quest for a place on the New Zealand Winter Olympic Team for 2010.
-ends-
31 March 2005