After two days of cancellation due to a polar blast that swept up the country, we were back in action today with perfect spring weather at the Cardrona NZ Freestyle Nationals. 236 athletes descended on three of Cardrona Alpine Resort’s world class terrain parks to battle it out for the National Slopestyle Championship Title.
The slopestyle open division was a FIS sanctioned Australia New Zealand Cup (ANC), drawing an international field with over 70 athletes competing across freeski and snowboard. Each athlete had two runs through the rails and jumps to impress the judges, with their best score counting.
Wānaka athlete Lucia Georgalli (15) asserted her dominance from her first run, scoring a 86.00 to hold the top spot. Not one to take her foot off the gas, Georgalli further upped her score to an 88.67 to take the win.
Mari Fukada of Japan finished in second place and fellow Kiwi Ava Beer rounded out the podium in third.
Georgalli’s run consisted of a boardslide to 270 out of the first rail, 50/50 to wildcat out of the cannon rail then she linked together two 540’s and finished up with a solid back 720 on the final jump.
Georgalli explained, “I am really happy, this was the best run I have ever landed in competition and also the first time I have landed this trick combination in competition. Landing this run brings my confidence up, the level of riding was good and it was awesome competing against people from other countries today.
Snowboard judge Ben Rhety explained that, “Lucia had a really good run, a solid rail game and great jumps, she absolutely dominated today. She was also the only woman getting inverted off the cannon rail.”
Luca Harrington (Wānaka, 18), FIS ANC Freeski Big Air champion from Tuesday, once again proved he was the man to beat in the men’s freeski field in slopestyle today. Scoring a huge 94.33 for his first run, his score was untouchable for the remainder of the event.
Rai Kasamura of Japan finished in second place and young Kiwi up and comer Luke Harrold claimed third place.
Harrington laced together a technical run including big rotations on and off the rail features and finishing up with right double cork 1260 and a switch right double cork 1440 on the jumps.
When asked about his consistent top performances Harrington said, “It’s been a really good training year so far, I have become really comfortable on the course so taking that same comfortable mindset into a competition is key. It really worked well for me today and the other day in Big Air as well.”
Victoria Beattie, Head Ski Judge and Cardrona NZ Freestyle Nationals Judging Coordinator said, “Luca was quite dominant in a field where a lot of the competitors struggled for speed with the fresh snow, Luca showed his comfort and prowess on the course.”
Beattie further explained, “The FIS ANC Slopestyle today gave Kiwi athletes a chance to see just how clean they have to be when they are competing overseas and get a real taste for the high level events. It’s an opportunity for our younger athletes to get a feel for what a true international competition is like.”
The younger age divisions showed us what they could do in the Little Bucks terrain park, a great course that encouraged inclusivity from 69 young skiers and snowboarders from all over New Zealand who competed today
The older age divisions consisted of an impressive 96 athletes who competed in Antlers Alley and Stag Lane.
The action continues tomorrow (Saturday) with the freeski and snowboard FIS ANC Halfpipe competition and the FIS ANC snowboard Big Air, the final events of the 2022 Cardrona NZ Freestyle Nationals.
Results:
FIS ANC Slopestyle - https://snowsports.co.nz/assets/Results/FIS-ANC-Slopestyle.pdf
U14 – U16 Slopestyle - https://liveheats.com/events/52848
U8 – U12 Slopestyle - https://liveheats.com/events/52847
19 months ago