FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (8/2005) 686 Middle Earth Superpipe Championships Final at SnowparkNZ Wanaka, New Zealand On the third and final day of the 686 Middle Earth Superpipe Championships, 30 athletes advanced to the finals to compete for the title. With tunes playing on the sound system and crowds gathering in the stadium, the sun broke through the clouds and the wind subsided to showcase some of the world’s best halfpipe talent. The superpipe was cut to perfection for the highest caliber of riders New Zealand has seen yet. Snow Park’s Frank Wells noted that “the investment in the team of international groomers has fully paid off with the best pipe day in Snow Park history”. The women’s final kicked off at 11:30am with some solid runs from local kiwi rider and 2004 Middle Earth Champion Kendall Brown, 16 from Mt. Manganui. USA Snowboard Team member Hanna Teter and Kjersti Buass from Norway, also showed off some big air and style, with the allover level of riding pushing the limits. Hannah Teter, 18, from Vermont, said the Snow Park superpipe was “The best pipe in the world, this competition had great weather for girls finals ” adding “ Snow Park is the best!” The men’s finals was nothing short of spectacular with riders going hard pulling off several back to back spins, big airs and inverts. Swedish rider Stefan Karlsson , 24, reached an amazing 15 feet out of the pipe on his first run and little Louie Vito, 17 from Vermont, pulled off a cranking run of 7’s, 5’s, flips and spins. On his second run, the crowd went wild for Kier Dillon, 28 from San Diego, as he pulled off a 9 and completed a solid ride. It was to be Kier Dillon taking the men’s top podium spot on the day, walking away with $2,500 cash courtesy of major sponsor 686 and a Snow Park NZ lifetime “black pass”. Second and third places respectively went to Danny Davis, 17 from Michigan and Louie Vito. “This was the most fun contest I have ever done, the pipe was better than at the X-Games and the level of riding was insane. I am stoked I can be hanging out at Snow Park for the summer” Kier commented about the day. Hanna Teter took the top spot among the females, also taking home $2500 in cash and a Snow Park lifetime “black pass”. Soko Yamaoka, 31 from Japan, scored second followed by US rider Tricia Byrnes. Every finalist walked away with a prize pack from 686 as well as a bottle of New Zealand’s finest vodka from 42 Below. Snow Park NZ would like to thank all the sponsors that made this event possible: 686, NORTHWAVE, DRAKE, BAKODA, VENUE, 42 BELOW and EXPORT GOLD. Middle Earth Superpipe Championships @ Snow Park NZ Men’s Final Results: Middle Earth Superpipe Championships @ Snow Park NZ Women’s Final Results: Snow Park NZ Resources:click here Snow Park NZ Summer Snowboard and Ski Camps page click here Video clips and photo galleries from Snow Park NZ. Snow Park NZ terrain is World class. TV ONE News tells the story.... ### Media Interviews & High Resolution Photographs for Media Use Available About All Star Adventures All Star Adventures specializes in unique travel to prime international locations with Olympic style sports instruction for all levels. Offering first-class holiday destinations and encouraging you to expand your cultural and personal horizons. Guest of an all star trip are invited to realize their full potential, while enjoying a vacation and making new friends. The atmosphere of an All Star trip is relaxed, positive, and exciting, while the classes are fun-filled, patient, and never intimidating. The entire experience is geared toward helping guests maximize their pleasure while honing new skills you’ll draw upon for the rest of your life. Coaches include top skiers, snowboarders, surfers and skateboarders. All Star Adventures, the only comprehensive adventure tour company of its kind, offers a wide range of exciting, proprietary, instruction-based tours designed for today’s dynamic travelers. All tours include professional instruction, breathtaking destinations, innovative itineraries and unique accommodations. For more information about All Star Adventures, visit www.allstartrips.com or call toll-free within North America at 1.866.758.2267 or 1.970.372.4564 outside North America. |