Mischa Thomas (15, Auckland) claimed the gold medal at Thursday’s (September 28) international FIS Australia New Zealand Cup Slopestyle competition, the first event of the 2023 Cardrona NZ Freestyle Nationals. 

Madeleine Disbrowe (15, Queenstown) joined Mischa on the podium in bronze medal position, showing the depth and breadth of the women’s freeski talent in New Zealand.  

Mischa, who came into the event off the back of a third place finish at the FIS Freeski Slopestyle Junior World Championships, was the first athlete to drop into the world class Big Bucks slopestyle course at Cardrona Alpine Resort.  

The 15-year-old laced together a quality run, with a technical rail section and a clean jump section. The judges were impressed and rewarded her with a 83.67, which was the top score of the competition by a significant margin.  

Madeleine, who finished just off the podium at the FIS Freeski Slopestyle Junior World Championships in fourth place last month, was stoked to secure a podium finish.  

The snowboard women competed on the same course, with Ava Beer (14, Te Anau) representing New Zealand. She put down a solid run and finished just off the podium in fourth place.  

The Cardrona NZ Freestyle Nationals are made up of the Freeski and Snowboard FIS ANC Slopestyle event, before moving into the age division competitions, from which the overall NZ National Champions are crowned.