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4th August 2010

The World Heli Challenge kicked off yesterday with the Freestyle Day of the event. Typically this event sees skiers and snowboarders hitting a serious of natural hits and kickers down a powder coated run, with an insane backdrop.

Myself getting ready to take off

Driving out past Hawea to Back Country Helicopters head quarters in Makarora, the valley cloud started to burn off showing the obvious drenching the mountains had taken from the recent rain. Looking up at Mt Gilbert the venue of the Freestyle day was literally tussock.

In true Harro fashion, the man with the vision and putting in blood sweat and tears to make it happen had found a sunny slope off Mt Albert with terrain to let some of the worlds best session.

Queuing for a Heli ride

As Heli blades started to turn the intensity started to kick in, athletes were pumped even if some of them were playing the I fly heli everyday. Landing up top the view had even the most season pros snapping shots and standing in awe the view was simply stunning.

The Stunning Southern Alps of NZ

While the terrain was checked out below by the guides, which included setting a decent avalanche off, athletes settled into telling stories and killing time.

Hanging out telling tales

Once all was go competitors descended a gnarly chute of ice the only skier that looked totally comfortable was Julia Mancuso the American Olympic Gold Medalist.

It was decided the terrain wasnt suitable for a true competition, this proved the best decision as hip was built that saw an epic session go down.

On the snowboard side Travis Rice kicked things off with style, Will Jackways showed he is one of the best in the business stomping trick after trick along with Quentin Robbins.

Cam Mcdermid who won the Treble Cone Big Air gaining free entry was stomping corked sevens to his feet, he also went 9 but the bomb holed landing wouldnt allow a landing.

Cam McDermid throwing down

Luke Potts skipped worked from Base ski shop in Wanaka to throw down a couple of massive super man front flips. Salomon teammate the young Ralf Beazley took the opportunity to stretch his legs with some spins also.

Fraser McDougall timed his run perfectly corking a styled 7 as a speed wing flew pasted the background. Fraser also laid out a couple of big old back flips to please the throng of photographers.

Fraser's styley Corked 7

It was Australian Charlie Timmons who stole the show with a first hit cork three with zero wobble stomped deep, followed by a variation of 7s including a late shifty. Charlie truly showed his world-class skill, I look forward to seeing him ski on the Extreme day as he obviously has more than just kicker skills.

The landing had rather a narrow and short sweet spot so those didnt nail it were seriously worked. Its a good look to see a skier get up and jump again after a good rag.

Later in the day the crew moved down to session a natural pipe, this proved to a lot of fun and also very entertaining with Fraser overshooting a slash and Sam Smoothy flaring out of the natural pipe, however being very over vert it saw him nearly going into a Venus flytrap (flair to front flip).

 Smoothy had a solid day, and during the downtime I caught up with him to hear about him juggling University with a full on season including a call up too shoot with Warren Miller Films here in New Zealand with fellow Volkl skier Ted Davenport from the states.

Ted Davenport does more than ski well - Speed flying

The day finished for me with a short hike with Janina Kuzma to ski some sun softened ice- cream smooth turns. After being beaten by the sun all day I was happy to finish with a cold Corona with Harvey and the Back Country Heli crew.

Hackey Sack and beers to finish the day

All eyes are now focused towards the Extreme day; if conditions improve my feeling we are going to see an insane display of skiing and snowboarding. Fingers crossed the weather gods play ball.

Kiwi Men's contingent at WHC - Cam McDermid, Luke Potts, Sam Smoothy and Fraser McDougall enjoying the sponsors product...