Wānaka’s Campbell Melville Ives (18) won the FIS Snowboard Halfpipe Australia New Zealand Cup (ANC) yesterday (Monday August 26) at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

His run featured a cab double cork 1080, alley-oop backside rodeo 540, and a backside 900, finished with a frontside 720 nose grab, to score 89.33. 

The judges were impressed by the difficulty of his cab double cork 1080 and the progression shown in his alley-oop backside rodeo. They also praised the variety and execution throughout his run.

"The highlight of my day was just getting to ride the pipe again,” Campbell said. 

“It's been so long since New Zealand has had a halfpipe, so it's awesome to have one in my home country again." 

Haku Shimasaki (JAP) took second place, while Kade Martin (USA) rounded out the podium in third. 

The men’s podium.

In the women’s competition, Sara Shimizu (JAP) claimed the top spot on the podium with a progressive and well-executed run, highlighted by a haakon 720 into a frontside 900.

Joining Sara on the podium were Rise Kudou (JAP), who took second place, and Giada Brienza (USA), who finished third.

Head judge Gareth Vogan said it was an incredible day under the sun.

"We aimed to reward progression as much as possible because it's the aspect of the sport we want to see continue evolving,” he said. 

“Overall, it was a really great day."

Winter Games NZ continues today (Tuesday August 27) with the FIS ANC Alpine Ski Racing programme at Coronet Peak.

PHOTOS: Winter Games NZ