A backcountry freestyle competition on the ‘ET’ face in the Minaret Range has confirmed Team Europe as this year's Obsidian champions.

Going into the third and final event on Wednesday (September 13) Team Europe was in second place, just behind Team Americas.

The day started early, with the athletes transported by helicopter to the ET face, which contains rolling playful terrain and plenty of natural features with great zones for the athletes to enhance the terrain. 

“Against all odds we managed to sneak this event in between two major fronts, [and] the competitors had the day of their lives,” lead Obsidian judge Tori Beattie said.

Bluebird conditions greeted the athletes.

“The teamwork was the winner on the day, and we saw epic tricks go down in the beautiful New Zealand backcountry.” 

Team Europe threw down traditional freeride lines, dropping cliffs, building a huge backcountry booter, stomping technical tricks and working together as a team to become clear winners of the challenge.

They leap-frogged Team Americas into first place to claim the Edgar Challenge Trophy as the 2023 Obsidian champions. 

Two-time Winter Olympian snowboarder Nicolas Huber (Team Europe) said Obsidian as “the best competition I have ever been a part of”.

In the overall standings Team Americas finished in second place, Team Oceania in third place and Team Asia in fourth place.

This event wraps up the 2023 edition of Winter Games NZ.

PHOTOS: Winter Games NZ