James Hamilton - winner of the men's contest

A massive field of 115 snowboarders and skiers took part in the Electric Quarterpipe Battle at Snow Park NZ, on Saturday.

New Zealand’s best freestyle skier Jossi Wells claimed the title of Best Male Skier and Best Ski Trick while James Hamilton (18), a member of the national snowboard team, took first place in the male snowboard competition.

For the second year in a row Abby Lockhart won the women’s snowboarding event and Jainina Kuzma was triumphant in the women’s ski section.

Following a two-hour jam-style competition, three finalists from each category went through to the next round where riders pulled of a succession of tricks to stay in the competition. The creative mix of tricks, including back flips, back-to-back rotations and big air grabs, enabled competitors to perform for the crowd and get some huge air along the way.

The quality performances from the finalists resulted in only the winner of the male ski section determined after the first round. The remainder of the field went to a big air competition to decide the winners for the other categories.

Quarterpipe snowboard Judge Nick Brown said the talent displayed by competing riders was excellent.

“It was tough to pick the finalists as there was impressive riding from the whole field. It was great to see such a big field for the first competition of the season, I was particularly impressed with the talent in the Groms section,” he said.

All winners praised the relaxed and fun nature of the event, Jossi Wells said the camaraderie between the competitors was great. “Everyone is pushing each other on, it’s more of a skiing session with your friends, which is great this early in the season,” he said.

For more information and pictures of the Electric Quarterpipe Battle Championships visit www.snowparknz.com

Results:

Men’s Ski
1. Jossi Wells
2. Jon Lafferty
3. Ma Fukuoka

Men’s snowboard
1. James Hamilton
2. Will Jackways
3. Mark Anderson

Women’s ski
1. Janing Kuzma
2. Kerry Herman
3. Amy Sheehan

Women’s snowboard
1. Abby Lockhart
2. Ju Bray
3. Fi Duncan

Best Grom Boy Snowboard – Ben Stewart (14)
Best Grom Female Snowboard - Steffy Luxton
Best Grom Ski – Olly Allen (12)

Biggest Air – Daisyke Hosono
Best Ski Trick – Jossi Wells (Cork 9)
Best Crash – Byron Wells