K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series

Day Four – Final Day Wrap Up

Day four of four, epic! Despite a doom forecast the competitors were up early and so too were the organisers. Trying to outsmart Mother Nature the competition got underway at 10-am and as the wind picked up the list of remaining competitors dwindled. By 1pm with increasingly flat light and strong winds coming, the competition was over. Done! Four days of just epic competition in four days, the Weather Gods were smiling on the K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series.

The level of competition was extremely high. Yet again we saw massive back flips. Cored threes and even a Rodeo 7. On top of that, Plake’ Mistake was almost tracked out after many of the field decided to sniff out the gnar with a go big go home mindset.

Here’s the winners from day four and winners overall. A huge thanks to all who made the event possible, K2, CHILL and the competitors. Stay tuned to the edits. They’re going to be epic. The first edit drops Wednesday. Stay tuned to chillout.co.nz

Results Day 4 and overall

Final Day Today!

Sat 25 August

Get on up, we’ve got an early start with the weather closing it. With one last shot to better their score the competitors will be going for it.

K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series – Day 3 Wrap Up

Friday 24 August

Day three of the K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series wrapped up this afternoon and it was another banger. Clear skies provided excellent visibility for competitors and a new venue provided the perfect viewing spot from Whakamaru Day Lodge. The Venue was the ‘Castles’, located just outside the ski area boundary en route to North Peak. There were now shortage of gnarly lines including the renowned ‘Plake’s Mistake’, a long tight chute that introduced Glen Plake to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the New Zealand healthcare system a while back.

Today, the competitors had the choice of sunny or shady aspects and the snowboarders sought the shade whilst the majority of the skiers opted for the sun. Once again the level of competition was ludicrous, flat spins, 360′s and methods to end all methods. Check out the photos from some of the video footage today and keep your eyes pealed to chillout.co.nz for the official edits dropping soon.

Today’s results.

Female Snowboard: 1st Sophie Brown
Female Ski: 1st Hanna Fisher
Mens Snowboard: 1st Ruari MacFarlane
Mens Ski: 1st Alex Lyndon

Sophie Brown narrowly edged out Tess Carney today. Sophie rode fast and fluid and sent it off a drop at the bottom of the course. Tess opted for a more technical line but crashed on a small 180 at the end of her run. Hanna Fisher was pushed by Nat Segal but another solid performance saw her take the day’s honours again. All the male snowboarders stepped it up and made the most of the great snow conditions. Scotty Heale, Colin Boyd and Jordan Decker were all in contention for the win until Ruari MacFarlane threw down a run that needs to be seen to be believed. Look out for it in the official edit. Despite an awesome and creative run, Cam McDermid was edged out by Alex Lyndon in the men’s ski division. Alex rode the ridge when everyone else opted for from different lines. The ridge was littered with drops and Alex sent them one after another for the win.

Tomorrow is the final day of competition and is followed by prize giving at Craigieburn Valley. The good weather we’ve been having is set to conclude tomorrow so a decision on competition will be made at 6am. Fingers crossed there’s a small window as there’s a few people in the running for the overall title and with one last shot they’ll be throwing everything they’ve got for the cash, FWQ points and the glory.

Results Day 3

K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series – Day 2

Thursday 23 Auguest

K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series – Mt Olympus Teaser from Licence 2 CHILL on Vimeo.

What can we say. Epic! Massive Euro backies, 35 foot corked 360’s and more exposure than an R18 photo shoot. Obviously the weather gods wanted to see what these athlete’s could do at the ‘playground of the gods’ A completely cloudless and still bluebird day softened the solar aspects quickly and dry powdery snow awaited those that sought shaded lines. Once the competitors emerged from the chutes a niggly traverse tested those who were in control of their exit and spanked those who weren’t.

Ana Zgraggen of Switzerland took out the women’s snowboard honours and is now level with Tess Carney after two days of competition. Hanna Fisher showed why she’s defending champ in the female ski division and put down a solid run. Alex Brook bounced back from a disappointing first day to secure second place today with a technical line and a solid drop to get the crowed pumped. The men’s snowboard division, wow! Gnarly exposed lines, one massive back flip and good times had by all. Colin Boyd took line honours and is now in second place overall. Ruarui MacFarlane took out second place today and leads the field after the Mt Olympus day of competition. The men’s ski division was tight at the top and even tighter in the middle with solid skiing by all. Once again the French contingent flipped ludicrously sized rock drops with mixed success. Charlie Lyons skied aggressively and strongly before throwing down a massive corked 360 and stomping the landing to take the win. Tom Brownlee had a strong run on a more technical line but skied reservedly up until the end where he nailed a 30 foot 360 to finish the day in second place and first overall.

The K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series now moves to Craigieburn Valley ski area and with a another stunner of a day looking likely the level of competition should be fantastic, stay tuned for, photos, results and the day’s wrap up at www.chillout.co.nz

Results Day Two and Mt Olympus combined results

K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series, Day 1 Wrap Up

Day one of the K2 Big Mountain CHILL saw plenty of gnarliness and all round good times. A small dusting overnight did little to soften the conditions and with a full entry field, the skiing was tough come day end. This seemed to phase the competitors none with some fast, technical and somewhat nuts skiing throughout the day. The day’s competition was held in Demolition Chutes at Mt Olympus and first up where the female snowboarders. The iced up crud at the end of the course proved difficult for all but the half American half Kiwi Tess Carney billy goated her way into first place. Nat Segal, fresh from a win at the World Heli Challenge, threw down and leads the female ski section after day one. The men’s snowboard division was fiercely fought with some amazing riding by many coming undone by the tricky end of the course. Ruari mountain goat MacFarlane dominated both the top and bottom of the course to come away with the day’s honours. The men’s ski was all over after the second competitor dropped. Frenchman Arnaud Lesueur simply went massive off his first air and didn’t worry about scrubbing speed afterwards. He then hit a near vertical rock drop and threw an enormous back flip that looked unconvincing in the air, before deciding to pull it together and stomping the landing to ski away in first place. Honourable mentions must go to Tom Brownlee for a strong run, Cam McDermid’s solid line including a 360 tranny finder and wonder grom George Pengelly. George threw a 30 foot 360 onto the sketchiest of landings, despite washing out on his landing he looked good and still has a chance at the overall title with 3 more days of competition looking likely.

Tomorrow’s competition heads to “The Chuttes” and with punchy snow, fantastic coverage and this field expect some massive lines. K2 and CHILL’s tip, get up early and reserve the best viewing spot on the mountain….. the famous Mt Olympus Hot Tub! A moist enjoyable way to spend the day.

Day One Results

K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series gets underway today!

Wed 22 August, 2012

Looking good to day one of the K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series at Mt Olympus – Fresh 1cm overnight, flat light now but looking to clear, should be an epic day in Demolition Chutes.

Conditions Update – Tom Brownlee

21 August 2012

K2 Big Mountain – Conditions update from Licence 2 CHILL on Vimeo.

Two days and counting – Press Release

20 Aug 2012

Two of Christchurch’s ski fields are about to take center stage in one of the biggest events in the New Zealand Freeskiing calendar. The K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series is about to get underway this Wednesday and ‘conditions are looking great for four days of competition thanks to a high pressure system later this week’ says event director Stu Waddel. If you’re not familiar with Freeriding is the art making your way from the top of the mountain to the bottom finding the toughest lines and biggest drops and executing the decent with style, control, aggression and fluidity. Athletes are judged by a panel and there are valuable Freeride World Qualifying points up for grabs. Those that wish to compete on the World Tour and join the likes of Kiwi legend Sam Smoothy in the highest level of the sport must earn the right via accumulating qualifying points. Expect to see some big thrills and big spills!
The K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series is being held at Mt Olympus and Craigieburn Valley ski Area with two days of competition scheduled at both venues. There is a full field of national and international athletes vying for the title, the cash prize pool and their chance to compete on the Freeride World Tour at this qualifying event.

Last year’s champion, UK’s Jamie Adcock is set to defend his title. There’s no shortage of competition including Kiwi contenders Charlie Lyons, Roy Schott and super grom George Pengelly. The Men’s snowboard division will be hotly contested by Colin Boyd, Scotty Heale and Ruari MacFarlane amongst others. There’s also a mix of seasoned contenders and fresh faces aiming to walk away with the women’s divisions. Look out for Australians Nat Segal fresh from victory at the World Heli Challenge and snowboarder Sabrina Fiebig.

The K2 Big Mountain starts off at Mt Olympus and given good weather it will start at Craigieburn on Friday the 24th August and will conclude on Saturday the 25th. Be sure to hang around Saturday nightasthe drinks will no doubt be flowing in Korohek Lodge.

Daily results and competition footage are available right here!!!!

K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series schedule:
Wed 22 Aug – Day one of competition at Mt Olympus
Thur 23 Aug – Day two of competition at Mt Olympus
Fri 24 Aug – Day three of competition either at Craigieburn or day 2 of competition at Mt Olympus. If two days of competition have been held at Mt Olympus this day will be hosted at Craigieburn. If only one day have been run at Mt Olympus the this day will remain at “the playground of the Gods”
Sat 25 Aug – Final day of competition at Craigiburn Valley given three days have been successfully completed.
Sun 26 Aug – Weather day – Will be used at Craigieburn is any of the previous 4 days were unsuitable for competition.