Enthusiastic competitors descended on the Salomon Slopestyle courses at Cardrona Alpine Resort yesterday (Thursday October 7) for the penultimate day of the Torpedo7 NZ Junior Freestyle Nationals.   

The younger age divisions competed on the Little Bucks slopestyle course and Ellie Stevens, Girls U10 Snowboard division, scored an impressive 96.00 to claim the top spot in her division. 

“For an athlete who is so new to the sport Ellie’s run was impressive - she had big airs, grabbed her spins and did a technical 50/50, 180 off on the tube,” Little Bucks head snowboard judge Juliane Bray said.

Boys U10 Freeski Podium. (L-R) Ben Wilton (2nd), Riley Hein (1st), Ezra Worth (3rd) 

Riley Hein scored a 94.33 in his first run to take the win in the Boys U10 Freeski division and Little Bucks head freeski judge Ruby Andrews described Riley’s run as “really impressive”.

Luke Harrold, Boys U14 Freeski winner in action on the Antlers Alley jumps.  

“I was stoked to see him land a 720 on the first jump, followed by a technical rail run with a front 270 off the down tube at the end.”

The older divisions competed over on the Stag Lane rails and the Antlers Alley jumps with Luke Harrold (Wānaka Snowsports Club), Boys U14 Freeski winner, giving a standout performance.

A young freeski competitor in action on the Little Bucks jumps. 

He landed a highly technical first run, scoring 91.67. 

“My day was really good, my first run was amazing,” Luke said. “I am so stoked with how I rode, there is definitely room for improvement but I am really stoked.” 

Dean Liu, Boys U8 Snowboard division in action on the rainbow rail in Little Bucks.

Today (October 8) is the final day of the Torpedo7 NZ Junior Freestyle Nationals, a five-day competition which began on October 4.

The competition will conclude today with U8, U10 and U12 K2 Ski Big Mountain and Snowboard K2 Freeride events in Tulips, Captains Basin. 

See the full results list here.

PHOTO: Ross Mackay/Snow Sports NZ