The Volkl NZ Freeski Open by the Royal NZ Air Force came to a spectacular close at Treble Cone today with New Zealanders Alastair Eason (Dunedin, NZ) and Janina Kuzma (Wanaka, NZ) crowned champions of The Big Mountain Event.
Eason, who breezed through qualifying round in first place at The Remarkables yesterday, secured his victory today in front of freestyle skier Dane Tudor (USA/Aust) and third place getter Luke Potts (UK).
Eason’s gutsy line choice conjured a roar of applause from the crowd as he put down the run of the day, with perfect landings off 15 metre high cliffs and fluid, smooth skiing.
“I’m really happy to have finally nailed it,” said Eason. “I’ve placed second once, and third twice over the past few years so I’m stoked!’

Kuzma took out the womens category with a score of 80 out of 100. Her spectacular cliff drops were backed up by faultless skiing and smooth clean lines. 15 year old Mikayla Austin skied beyond her years into second place, and Lorraine Huber (Aust) took out third.
“So super happy to win again," Kuzma said. "In the morning the snow was super firm, but the sun was shining and the weather was fantastic” said Kuzma

The finals took place in Treble Cone’s Mototapu Chutes with a vertical drop of approximately 1,000 feet. Spectators flocked to the other side of the valley from where they could watch the action.
A world class field included the likes of Canadian IFSA World Tour Champion Brett Crabtree and ex-world champ Geoff Small.

Head Judge Jim Jack, President of the International Freeski Association came over especially to judge the event. “I have a huge amount of respect for the competitors. They shied away from nothing, kept their composure and showed fantastic technical skiing.” said Jack “I’d sure hate to be a girl on the tour right now competing against the female athletes you have coming out of NZ!.

The event footage from the Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Big Mountain will be screened at the final event party on Friday the 29th August at Mint bar, Wanaka.

Check out the results from the Half Pipe here http://nzskier.com/news/2008/results-from-day-one-of-volkl-nz-free-ski-o...

And the results from the Slopestyle here http://nzskier.com/news/2008/results-from-day-two-of-volkl-nz-free-ski-o...

Al Eason Killing Treble Cone: Photo Camilla Stoddart

Janina Kuzma Retains Her Title: Photo Camilla Stoddart

Womens Podium: Photo Camilla Stoddart