Day one of the Rip Curl Australian Freeride Pro supported by...

Day one of the Rip Curl Australian Freeride Pro supported by Jim Beam was held in perfect conditions in Thredbo today with many spectators calling it the best ever ski and snowboard event held in Australia.

The contest is different as it is not held in the controlled environment of the terrain park or half pipe, but was held in natural terrain of the Bluff/Cannonball area which contains some of Australia’s most advanced and varied terrain.

The Rip Curl Australian Freeride Pro attracted some of Australia’s best skiers and snowboarders as well as international competitors, and carried $20,000 prize money.

The event involved eight divisions – Men’s Open Ski and Snowboard, Junior Men’s Ski and Snowboard, Open Women’s Ski and Snowboard and Junior Women’s Ski and Snowboard.

Competitors were judged on two runs, their best score counting towards the results.

In the Open Men’s 12 skiers and 12 snowboarders have made it through to tomorrow’s finals and the action was fast and furious.

Today spectators were treated to a combination of big aerial manoeuvres and rock jumps as the competitors revelled in the soft dry snow.

In the Men’s Open the top three qualifiers in snowboard were Nathan Perry, Tyson Carr and Ryan Tiene. In the skiing Boen Ferguson, William Dawson and Jordan Houghton were the top three.

The open women’s snowboard saw three Thredbo riders take the top spots for tomorrow’s finals – Ali Deane, Wiki Jones and Kaura Williams.

The forecast is for another good day and great snow and organisers are expecting the competitors to step it up even further.

The other divisions were wrapped up today with Zoe Jaboor from Mount Buller, Vic wining the open women’s ski, Torie Hamilton-Wilson the junior women’s ski. The junior division was a great showcase of Australia’s future snow talent with Lucas Marshall (Jindabyne, NSW) winning the skiing and Billy Hayman (Jindabyne, NSW) the snowboarding. Jess Shanahan won the junior women’s snowboarding.

After tomorrow’s open finals the action continues with the Rip Curl Invitational Throwdown. It is a rail and air comp and will be held under lights tomorrow night, followed by a huge after party.

Added: November 6, 2008
Producer: Rip Curl
Copyright: Rip Curl
 This item has been viewed 1248 times