New Zealand Snowboard Nationals – Day One
The New Zealand Snowboard Nationals got underway today at Cardrona Alpine Resort with the Giant Slalom. A big field of
over 50 riders from throughout New Zealand and of all ages competed for the national giant slalom champion titles.
In the youngest age group, Rebecca Sinclair (13) of Taupo took the title of girls’ Youth Champion ahead of Natalie Good
(15) from Ohaupo with Kendall Brown (16) of Mt Manganui coming in third. The boys’ Youth Champion title went to Wanaka’s
Will Harris (16), closely followed by James Hamilton (16) of Auckland and Leroy Christensen (15) of Ohakune.
In the Juniors, Joseph Mackenzie (17) from Darfield took the boys’ title with a clear lead over Chris Hutchings (17) of
Taupo in second place. Cody Logan (17) from Auckland came in third. Dunedin’s Whitney Dagg (17) raced into first place
in the girls’ with a convincing win over Georgina Allen (16) of Christchurch.
Juliane Bray of Wanaka took the womens’ National GS Champion title over four seconds ahead of Queentown’s Fiona Duncan
and Ellie Richards of New Plymouth. Men’s National GS Champion title went to Richard Hunt (Wanaka) although he had to
make do with second place. World Cup racer, Mateusz Ligocki of Poland took first in a blistering time of 69.62, easily
the fastest time of the day.
The Nationals continue tomorrow at Cardrona Alpine Resort with the 540s Snowboarder-X. The event is also doubling as a
FIS Race and points earned will count towards Olympic and World Cup qualification. Athletes from all over the world will
compete including America’s Shaun Palmer (multiple X Games champion), Poland’s Mateusz Ligocki (ranked 5th in world) and
others from Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Australia.
ENDS