Big Guns Come Out for The North Face
Freeski Open of New Zealand Big Mountain Finals
5th September 2013 – Queenstown, New Zealand – With fresh snow on the hills, the finals of The North Face® Freeski Open
of New Zealand Big Mountain competition got underway this morning in the Alta Chutes at The Remarkables alpine resort.
Switzerland’s Greg Tuscher and Sweden’s Lotten Rapp took the top honours in the 3 Star Freeride World Tour Qualifying
event. “Mother Nature prevailed, setting us up with some good snow conditions, with winds easing during the day and
skies clearing perfectly. The sun came out and the guns came out,” commented Head Judge Dion Newport.
“It was great to see the level of The North Face® Freeski Open continue to progress,” continued Newport, “with only one
run to prove themselves, nobody was holding back.” Seven women contested today’s finals, Rapp the stand out performer
with her score of 7.83. Judges described Rapp’s skiing as “totally on point, with two solid airs and two stomped
landings.”
Following closely behind Rapp in second place and a score of 7.55 was former alpine ski racer, Taylor Rapley, who
claimed the top spot at the K2 Big Mountain competition last month. “I just skied it like I was riding with friends,”
enthused Rapley. “I’m so pumped and happy it was on my home mountain.”
Third placed finalist was fellow New Zealander Alex Brook with a score of 7.23. “Things got slightly out of control at
the top, so I made a quick change and ended up skiing a different run that was a lot of fun,” said Rapp. “The snow made
me more confident to get a little wild!”
There was a strong Kiwi presence in the men’s field with 11 of the 17` competitors from New Zealand; however, nothing
and no one could match Greg Tuscher. Tuscher’s 9.55 scored-run included a huge backflip off a jump and had the entire
audience on their feet, hands in the air screaming.
“I feel great!” said Tuscher. “Today was a great day, fresh snow and beautiful sun! The vibe was perfect, we were
singing on top! I’m so stoked to be in NZ!”
“Greg Tuscher blew all the Kiwis’ minds,” said Judge Dion Newport. “Our hearts were in our mouths watching his top
feature of a left 360 to accidental double. Greg followed this up with four big airs, and a downhill take off back flip,
landing the cleanest and most technical (and most insane) run of the day.”
New Zealand’s Sam Smoothy - currently ranked 18th on the Freeride World Tour - placed second with his score of 8.95. Sam
lee (NZL) was third with his score of 8.55
Today was the final day of competition for the 2013 edition of The North Face® Freeski Open of New Zealand. The event is
the only one in the world to hold a Freeride World Tour qualifier in conjunction with AFP Silver Level Slopestyle and
Halfpipe competitions. The organizers would like to thank the sponsors, patrollers, riders, volunteers that made the
event possible, as well as Cardrona Alpine Resort and The Remarkables for hosting the competitions.
ends