Marmot Extreme Ski and Snowboard competition @ Whakapapa

The second annual Marmot Extreme Ski and Snowboard competition kicked off on Saturday at the 'Pinnacles' at Whakapapa on Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand. The competition hosted 37 of the best freeride competitors from around the world in both ski and snowboard disciplines.

Day one action took place on ‘Police-mans’ in front of a large crowd of spectators. Conditions on the venue where very firm in the morning due to some rain the day before and a subsequent freeze over night. Fortunately the sunshine was out all day and conditions on the course and all over the mountain softened into some excellent spring corn.






The day’s highlights included Hamish Acland's fast smooth triple-drop-straightline through a large choke in the middle of the course. Geoff Small and Janina Kuzma also stepped up with impressive lines through the same area but it was Acland who ended up in first place by a very slim margin. The events jam format let competitors compete side by side with skiers and riders, taking two runs each at they're own pace.






Sunday’s venue was moved up to the 'Door', a steep line with lots of features for competitors to work. With tight races in all the category's it was anyone’s comp to win. Local Tess Pirie laid down a very impressive run on day 2 but it wasn't quite enough to catch Janina Kuzma, who's difficult line choices paid off, winning her the women’s ski title.






Robbie Walsh stepped up in the snowboard competition coming out the clear winner of the day with his smooth line. Maria Kuzma followed her sisters’ lead and rode a solid and difficult line to come out almost 10 points ahead on the women’s snowboard side.






On the men’s skiers side it was a battle for first between Kiwi superstars Geoff Small and Hamish Acland. Small found his way into an exposed section of the course that no one thought possible, stomping at least 3 big airs and making it look easy. Acland linked together 4 huge airs but took an awkward tumble before taking another huge air with an injured arm. Two Canadians, Kyle Armstrong and Tim Haggerty, took third and forth respectively, skiing strong smooth lines with plenty of air. Whakapapa legend Lyall Crump was a crowd favourite when he went huge, showing everyone he wasn't about to be out done on his home turf.
















The whole event was a huge hit amongst the participants, almost all of whom got a little something from headline sponsor Marmot. Event organisers did an excellent job ensuring that there will be plenty of competitors coming back next year, helping the competition grow in popularity and notoriety.

MARMOT EXTREME SKIING and SNOWBOARDING COMP - 2006



Placing BIB Name Run 1 Run 2 TOTAL


SNOWBOARD - FEMALE

1 2 Maria Kuzma 17.8 21 38.8
2 63 Ann Paterson 15.8 13.8 29.6
3 48 Monica Font Puig14.8 12.8 27.6
4 27 Lili Naesstroem 15.2 11.6 26.8

SNOWBOARD - MALE

1 60 Robbie Walsh 25.6 27.4 53
2 26 Willie Beggs 29 15.4 44.4
3 24 Stefan Segedin 18.6 23.4 42
4 47 Jamie Cannery 23 18 41
5 69 Joel Richard 18 18.6 36.6
Equal 6 17 Eric Urbaniak 16.4 18.8 35.2
Equal 6 8 Travis Russell 21.8 13.4 35.2
8 56 James Johnston 19.6 15 34.6
9 18 Luke Paull 17 16.6 33.6
10 31 Brad Galloway 17 14.6 31.6
11 20 Timmi Dauenhauer 13.4 16 29.4
12 39 Greg Robertson 13.4 15 28.4

SKI - FEMALE

1 1 Janina Kuzma 32.8 25.6 58.4
2 95 Tess Pirie 27 28.6 55.6
3 43 Helen Griffen 20.2 18.4 38.6
4 29 Sarah Dunckley 22 12 34
5 67 Meagan Klassen 20.2 12.6 32.8

SKI - MALE

1 88 Geoff Small 39.2 41.6 80.8
2 90 Hamish Acland 39.8 30.2 70
3 6 Kyle Armstrong 31.6 26.2 57.8
4 9 Tim Heggarty 29.6 26 55.6
5 41 Lyall Crump 21.8 32.8 54.6
6 54 Haydon Seddon 26.2 28 54.2
7 93 Klas Englund 26 26 52
8 62 Alex Lynden 25.4 23 48.4
9 42 Marc Walker 24.2 22.8 47
10 68 Raymond Goff 20.6 25.4 46
11 14 Dave Mewha 19.8 15 34.8
12 77 Glenn James 20.2 14.6 34.8
13 5 Tom Woolley 18.8 15 33.8
14 72 Matti Wade 17.2 16 33.2
15 74 Patrick Faulkner16 13.6 29.6
16 10 Michael Dawson 20.6 DNF 20.6

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