The first ever Relentless Cardrona Games at night took place in front of 2000 people at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Brett Turlotte and Paul Thacker showed what could be done on a snowmobile with some 12+ metre jumps. Luke Smith stood out with a number of FMX motor bike back flips, with the landings on snow.

In the Ski Big Air, Australian Russ Henshaw won in his first run when he stomped a near perfect and unbeatable “straight ten” (three full turns) with a “double mute grab” (holding the front of the skis through the jump).

In the Snowboard Big Air, New Zealander Jake Koia also won it with the first of his three runs pulling off a “switch nine” (two turns jumping backwards) with a “stale grab”.

Skier Lyndon Sheehan pulled out all stops in his last run with a stomped “switch nine” (backwards two and a half turns) with a “mute grab” beating Byron Wells who was in second spot until that run.

Snowboarder Andy Kennerley did a “backside seven” with a grab. His final run was impressive as he did a “nine” but it was no better than his previous scores and Koia stayed ahead.

“It was a world class quality of riders most of whom were New Zealanders”, says Ste’en Webster, Head Judge.

Jossi Wells has to pull out due his passport being stolen while in the States last week. Mitch Brown arrived late to the competition but will compete tomorrow.

No female skiers or snowboarders made it through to the finals. However special mention goes out to skiers Amy Sheehan and Keri Herman both of whom did great jumps and did receive prize money.

Tomorrow the competition continues for a second and final day with a similar format.

See www.cardronagames.co.nz for full results.

Podiums:

Snowboard
1. Jake Koia (NZ)
2. Andy Kennerly (NZ)
3. Nick Poohachoff (USA)

Ski
1. Russ Henshaw (Australia)
2. Lyndan Sheehan (NZ)
3. Byron Wells (NZ)

Total prize money of $10,000 was given out to skiers and snowboarders tonight with the same amount given out tomorrow night. FMX and snowmobile riders compete tomorrow for $10,000 in each discipline spread over the two days.

Big Air size: 24 metres.