06 Aug 2009 Over 200 of the world’s top snowboarders will be on the slopes at Wanaka next week, as the Burton New Zealand Open – the crucial first leg in the Burton Global Open Series – gets underway.
One of the world’s high-profile snowboarding series, Burton Open events are scheduled year-round in five different countries, culminating with the announcement of the men’s and women’s Global Open champions.
Snowboarding names
The seventh annual Burton New Zealand Open has attracted major names in the snowboarding fraternity, including Winter Olympic hopefuls Kelly Clark (USA), Justin Lamoureux (Canada), Jiayu Liu (China), Mason Aguirre (US), Sina Candrian (Switzerland), and Ryo Aono (Japan).
New Zealand is also fielding 24 top competition snowboarders for this prestigious invitation-only series.
Recently named New Zealand Snow Sports ‘Snowboarder of the Year’ Shelly Gotlieb, of Ohakune, will be competing on the slopes, along with Mitchell Brown, and Kendall Brown (Mt Maunganui); James Hamilton (Auckland), Ben Stewart (Whaangamata), Nick Hyne (Queenstown), and Stef Zeestraten (Wanaka).
Slopestyle qualifiers
Competition begins next Wednesday (12.08.09) with the men and women’s Slopestyle qualifiers.
The spectacular Halfpipe final will complete the competition events on 15 August.
Winter Games NZ warm-up
While the New Zealand event will kick-start the 2009 Burton Global Open series, it is also acting as an important warm-up for the inaugural Winter Games NZ, due to start just a week later.
Winter Games NZ will take place from 21 – 30 August, in five locations throughout New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
Many of the world’s top winter athletes will be in New Zealand for this international sports event that’s billed as the ultimate lead-up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
About 800 athletes will compete for the top titles in alpine, cross country and freestyle skiing, curling, figure skating, snowboarding, and ice hockey.
Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
Lake Wanaka – in the heart of New Zealand’s southern lakes region – is the gateway to Mount Aspiring national park and Te Wahipounamu world heritage area. Wanaka is a popular year-round holiday destination for those seeking to get into the great outdoors and experience nature.
In winter, Lake Wanaka becomes a snowsports mecca with four of the South Island’s best alpine resorts all within easy driving distance from a town that is bordered with spectacular alpine and lake-side views
More information:
Winter Games NZ: http://www.wintergamesnz.com/
Tags: Burton, Snowboarding, South Island, Wanaka