Alpine Skiing Starts Winter Games NZ
30th August 2022
Last modified on September 4th, 2022
The Winter Games NZ is the largest snowsports competition in the southern hemisphere. It runs for 16 days. The medals have been handed out in alpine skiing as competition moves on to the Freeski and Snowboard Halfpipe and Slopestyle.
The opening events of the 2022 Winter Games NZ got underway last Saturday.
Alpine ski racers competed in two FIS Australia New Zealand Cup Super G races at Queenstown’s Coronet Peak ski area.
New Zealand’s Willis Feasey and Canada’s Candace Crawford each claimed back-to-back wins in the respective men’s and women’s fields, making the best of a tight, technical course.
FIS ANC Super G Race 1
Women | 1st Candace Crawford, 2nd Rebeka Jancova, 3rd Charlotte Henriksson
Men | 1st Willis Feasey, 2nd Adam Zampa, 3rd Teo Zampa
FIS ANC Super G Race 2
Women | 1st Candace Crawford, 2nd Ava Sunshine, 3rd Alice Robinson
Men | 1st Willis Feasey, 2nd Adam Zampa, 3rd Garret Driller
On Monday the first of the two FIS Australia New Zealand Cup Giant Slaloms on the Winter Games NZ schedule were held.
Following a race postponement due to poor visibility and soft snow conditions on Sunday, day three of the Winter Games NZ dawned clear and sunny on Monday with cold overnight temperatures bringing the hard and fast snow conditions needed for ski racing.
The strong international field included athletes from 14 nations and featured a mix of experienced World Cup racers and some exciting up and coming talent.
Canada’s Candace Crawford took home the win in the women’s field to back up her two first-place finishes in the Super-G.
Isaiah Nelson from the USA topped the men’s results in a hard-fought finish.
FIS ANC Giant Slalom Race 1
Women | 1st Candace Crawford (CAN), 2nd Katie Hensien (USA), 3rd Riikka Honkanen (FIN)
Men | 1st Isaiah Nelson (USA), 2nd Timon Haugan (NOR), 3rd Andreas Zampa (SVK)
Over 80 athletes from 13 nations descended on The Hurdle at Coronet Peak for the final day of alpine ski racing.
On the schedule was the second FIS Australia New Zealand Cup Giant Slalom, rounding out the series.
Kiwi alpine ski racing superstar Alice Robinson has taken the win in the women’s field today, along with claiming the Yellow Bib for the Giant Slalom Australia New Zealand Cup.
Andreas Zampa (SVK) has claimed the top spot in the men’s field, off the back of yesterday’s strong silver medal performance in the same discipline.
FIS ANC Giant Slalom Race 2
Women | 1st Alice Robinson (NZL), 2nd Ava Sunshine (USA), 3rd Katie Hensien (USA)
Men | 1st Andreas Zampa (SVK), 2nd Isaiah Nelson (USA), 3rd Adam Zampa (SVK)
Winter Games NZ. Image © PlanetSKI
At the Winter Games NZ there are 16 events across alpine, freeride and freestyle with more than 400 athletes from 23 nations competing.
It all takes pace at Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables on the South Island.
“After a few challenging years it is fantastic to be able to welcome international athletes back to New Zealand and provide a full programme of Alpine Ski Racing, Freeride, Park and Pipe in the Queenstown Lakes District,” said Winter Games NZ CEO, Marty Toomey.
For the first time since 2019 international riders are able to attend as border restrictions have eased.
Competition has taken place during the pandemic but under strict restrictions.
“We are excited to bring back the Winter Games NZ this year and look forward to providing a platform that allows kiwi athletes to benchmark themselves against their international competition across many disciplines and events,” added Marty Toomey.
The event is committed to a four-year plan.
It will see Winter Games NZ growing year on year towards the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Winter Games NZ. Image © PlanetSKI
“We love showcasing the Southern Lakes to the world and want to encourage as many people as possible to watch our events live on mountain. For those who can’t be there in person we will be producing amazing content for our digital and television audiences.
“With so many events to choose from across our world class venues, the 2022 Winter Games NZ will be quite the celebration.”
As the alpine skiing concludes all eyes now turn to the other events.
Freeski and Snowboard Halfpipe and Slopestyle action is at Cardrona Alpine Resort from the 1st to the 4th of September.
These FIS Continental Cups will draw a big crowd with kiwi stars dropping in alongside their team mates and other international competitors.
The North Face Frontier is back between Saturday 3rd and Thursday 8th September, at The Remarkables.
The event will be hosted within a 6-day weather window with the two best snow and weather days identified for the action.
This kiwi freeride institution features 2* and 4* Freeride World Tour Qualifier events and will attract many names you now see on the Freeride World Tour.
16-days of snow sports competition will end with Big Air and Park Jam events at Cardrona Alpine Resort.
Winter Games NZ. Image © PlanetSKI
For more information see www.WinterGamesNZ.kiwi.
Image c/o PlanetSKI
