Norwegians Dominate LG Continental Cup Slopestyle Finals

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand (September 4, 2008) – Fresh snowfall and varied visibility did little to dampen the level of riding at today’s LG Continental Cup Slopestyle finals at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

Postponed from yesterday due to bad weather, the finals were again hampered by less than perfect conditions. However, for the Norwegians it was a bluebird day as they secured five out of the six medal spots, including the men’s and women’s titles.

Men’s title went to yesterday’s top qualifier, Roger-S Kleivdal, with a stunning first run scoring 8.15 that featured a frontside tailslide to 270 off on the down rail followed by gapping the kinked rail to a frontside boardslide. On the three jumps he stomped a 5 followed by a cab 9 to a front 7. He was closely followed by fellow teammate, Tore-V Holvik, just 0.06 points behind in a run that included a front 5, cab 7, finishing with a switch back 7. Third place went to Braaten Gjermund with his solid display of rail riding.

In the women’s competition, Olympic bronze medalist Kjersti Buaas took out the top spot with a solid second run that put her a convincing 1.25 points ahead of Lisa Wiik. The winning run featured a 50/50 on the kink rail olly (jump) over the second feature. On the first big air she pulled off a backside 7, followed by a frontside air on the second hit, finishing with a huge backside 180 indy. The only non-Norwegian on the podium was America’s Lizzy Beerman who took third place.

Head judge, Ste’en Webster said, “Kjesti Buass really came through to stomp a winning run that was so well deserved, and her riding was streaks ahead of the rest of the field. The level of riding in the men’s was much tighter with the top half of the field contesting the podium positions.”

Highest placed New Zealander was Queenstown’s Nick Hyne in fifth position.

The world’s best halfpipe riders also had to contend with poor weather during their official training in Cardrona’s Olympic pipe in preparation for this weekend’s LG World Cup. Training will continue tomorrow with the LG World Cup qualifiers starting at 8am on Saturday September 8 and the semi finals and finals from 10am on Sunday September 9. All the weekend’s action is free for spectators to watch with the halfpipe within easy walking distance of the Cardrona base buildings. For further information, visit www.fis-ski.com or www.snowsports.co.nz.

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