Wanaka, New Zealand (August 23rd, 2008) Australia’s Russ Henshaw (18) took his career to new heights taking the men’s slopestyle title at The Volkl NZ Freeski Open by the Royal New Zealand Air Force at Snow Park Saturday.

Competitors from around the world flocked to New Zealand for what is fast becoming the traditional opening event of the international skiing calendar, rivalling the US and European Open events as a benchmark in world-class freeski competitions.

An impressive line-up of the world’s best freeskiers competed for their share of the $35,000 prize pool. Henshaw shared the podium with Switzerland’s Andri Ambühl (second) and America’s Sammy Carlson (third).

The women’s title was won by American Ashley Battersby, whose smooth aerials and overall impressive slopestyle skills took the sport of women’s freeskiing to a new level. Aussie Anna Segal was second with Kaya Turski of Canada third.

Friday’s halfpipe champion and seven-time X-Games medallist Tanner Hall, said events like the Volkl NZ Freeski Open put New Zealand at the forefront of skiing worldwide.

“The NZ Open should be the kick off to the year – every year,” said Hall. “I want to help make that happen.”

Riding conditions were near perfect at Snow Park, under blue skies, on an innovative, challenging course that consisted of a down-rail stair set, then a butter pad/up-rail option, a 55-foot jump, followed by a 70-foot jump leading into two more rail options.
The course was designed by the NZ Freeski Team and Head Coach Nick Draxl, and shaped to perfection by the Snow Park shaping crew.

Head X-Games Judge and now NZ Freeski Open Head Judge Josh Loubek, and Austrian event director Alex Zika, have had their work cut out for them with the 120 riders that have entered the competition across each of the three disciplines.

Loubek was astounded at the level of competition in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

“This is the highest quality field the NZ Open has hosted to date,” said Loubek. “The athletes at the event today were really impressive. The level was as high as that of the world’s biggest events and the tricks that were being thrown were phenomenal.”

Wanaka local Amy Sheehan finished fifth after an impressive second run and Matt Soundy (Queenstown) finished seventh in front of last years winner Xavier Bertoni of France.

Local freeski hero Jossi Wells (Wanaka) was forced to opt out due to wrist and back injuries. His younger brother Byron made it to the finals, finishing 13th.

The event continues this week with the Big Mountain competition. Qualifying will be held at The Remarkables on Monday, 25th August, with the finals set for Treble Cone on Tuesday 26th August. Recent snow falls, adding to an already outstanding New Zealand ski season, guarantee a great show for spectators.

For more information about the Volkl New Zealand Freeski Open by the Royal NZ Air Force, go to www.freeskiopennz.com. Media representatives wishing to obtain an FTP login and password to easily obtain footage, photos and daily press releases please contact Kristy Quin at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it