Freeski competitors raced head-to-head down the Smith Skier-Cross course at Cardrona Alpine Resort for the opening day of the Torpedo7 NZ Freestyle Nationals (Monday October 4).

Despite the cloud that sat on the mountain throughout the day, the young athletes remained enthusiastic. 

The skier-cross course is an exciting course with rolls, bumps and bermed corners for skiers to navigate while they make their way through the alternating blue and red gates. 

Kiri Dolan (Wānaka Snowsports Club) took out the Girls U8 division.

Girls U8 Podium (L-R) Tatum Ball (2nd), Kiri Dolan (1st), Addison Sabin (3rd)

Kiri said she had a really fun day and enjoyed going around all the gates on the course and competing with her friends. 

David Liu (Wānaka Snowsports Club), who won the Boys U8 division, said his favourite part of the course was “the middle because it had those little bumps” and the best part of his day was winning the gold medal.

Delays on course due to the weather meant the U14, U16 and U18 elimination rounds have been postponed to later in the week.  

Girls U12 Podium (L-R) Michaela Bridgens (2nd), Eva Small (1st), Olivia Hein (3rd) 

“The Junior Freestyle Nationals are all about having fun while gaining competition experience; it’s a really important part of our development pathway,” Snow Sports NZ Park & Pipe High Performance Athlete Development manager Luke Hetzel said.

“It’s a great opportunity for young athletes from all over New Zealand to get together and have a week of competitive fun.” 

Athletes battling it out in the cloud today on the Smith Skier-Cross course at Cardrona Alpine Resort. 

The competition continues at Cardrona today (Tuesday October 5) with the Smith Snowboard Boarder-Cross and the K2 Ski Freeride event. 

The Junior Freestyle Nationals run from October 4 to October 8. 

As well as being a fun competition to finish off the season, the event is an important stepping stone on the competitive pathway for Kiwi snow sports athletes.

View yesterday’s results here.

PHOTOS: Ross Mackay | Snow Sports NZ