29 August – 12 September 2009 | Top snowboarders and skiers with a taste for the wild side are preparing to descend on one of New Zealand’s most remote mountainous regions.
Wanaka, a ski resort on the shores of Lake Wanaka – in New Zealand’s southern lakes region – will host the World Heli Challenge from 29 August – 12 September, 2009.
Most of the competition will take place in the Mount Aspiring national park region of the Southern Alps, on the western side of Lake Wanaka.
Snow-based thrills
The World Heli Challenge transports competitors by helicopter into otherwise inaccessible terrain for snow-based thrills and action-packed tests of snow and skill. The overall goal is to find the best all-round skier and snowboarder.
“Unrivalled camaraderie among athletes mixed with two weeks of continuous adrenalin activities, and incredible helicopter skills makes for a one of a kind event,” director Tony Harrington said.
“Every competitor will be tested both physically and mentally in the challenge, which is unique to every other snow event in the world,” Harrington said.
“The World Heli Challenge offers athletes the best conditions in which to ultimately test their all-around ability as a snow athlete.”
Harrington, who travels the world filming and photographing snow sports, and organising extreme events, is a former surfer and snowboarder.
Invitation-only event
The invitation-only selection of 50 “international stars of snowboarding and skiing” will compete across three disciplines during three days of competition.
The competition days are staged over a two-week period to allow for perfect weather conditions.
Athletes vie for top honours in extreme, free ride and downhill events, and the overall title of World Heli Challenge champion.
International competitors
There are 36 places for male snowboarders and skiers, and 14 places for female competitors. Riders represent a cross section of freestylers, extremists, ski racers and freeriders.
Contestants will include Kiwi brothers Jossi and Byron Wells. Harrington describes the brothers as “two of the hottest ski kids in the world”.
International snowboarders confirmed include Ralph Backstrom, Matthew Annetts, Rob Kingwell, Susan Mol, Paula Dewey (USA); Rachel “Ratty” Sheidow, Mitch Allen (Australia); Matthias Haunholde (Austria).
Skiers include Jeff Annetts, Erik Roner, Chris Davenport, Ted Davenport (USA); J P Auclair (Canada); Andrea Berchtold, Chris Booth, Charlie Timmins, Boen Ferguson (Australia); Sam Smoothy (New Zealand).
Outdoor sports lifestyle company Quiksilver are major sponsors, and the event field is likely to include several Quiksilver team members.
Favourite competition
American sports commentator and former world extreme ski champion, Chris Davenport says the World Heli Challenge is his favourite competition. Davenport was the inaugural World Heli Challenge champion.
“No other ski or snowboard event combines freestyle, extreme and psycho downhill skills like the Heli Challenge,” Davenport said.
The World Heli Challenge comes on the heels of the Winter Games NZ due to take place from 22 – 30 August, in various locations in the Southern Alps.