An impressive field of riders were invited to the Mountain Dew Night Sessions final held at Snow Park last night, all hoping to impress the judges enough to take home the $9000 cash prize.

As the fifth and final event in the series, familiar names filled out the invite list including local girls Shelly Gotlieb and Callie Conaghan along with Wes Walsh, Dillon Sutton and Hamish Martin.  A few wild cards were added to the mix of riders on the day.

Snow Park NZ park crew were out in full force prior to practice perfecting the stairset set up for the final.  A brief  riders meeting lead into a 30 minute practice before the judges started scoring during an hour long jam session.

Leaders throughout the jam session included Dylan James, Queenstown local Nick Hyne and Nick Poohachoff from South Lake Tahoe, USA.  The girls field was dominated by Mia Stier, Shelly Gotlieb, Callie Conaghan and repeat MDNS winner Christy Prior.

Nick Poohachoff, photo: Pablo Azocar

Nick Hyne, photo: Pablo Azocar

Riders were judged on their best two tricks during the jam session with Christy Prior, 19 from Kaukapakapa taking out the female division with a frontside 180 switch 50 on the ledge followed by a frontside 50-50 back 1 out on the rail.  In the mens field it was a very close call with Nick Poohachoff, 18, winning by half a point with a combination of tricks including a switch hard way 270 and flat tail change up 270 out both on the rail.

Christy Prior ,photo: Pablo Azocar

Prize giving was short and sweet thanks to the winner takes all format with Nick Poohachoff taking home a massive Mountain Dew cheque for $6000 and Christy Prior leaving with $3000.

"The  Mountain Dew Night Sessions series has been really successful event over the 2008 season and we really look forward to developing the competition further in the next few years” said Snow Park NZ marketing manager Claire Jackson.  “The $9000 cash prize really motivated a lot of riders to go for it last night with spectators amazed at the amount and quality of tricks being thrown down”

Mountain Dew Night Sessions is proudly sponsored by Mountain Dew, Quest and Jameson Whisky.

Chirsty Prior with her massive Mountain Dew cheque, photo: Pablo Azocar

Nick Poohachoff takes home $6000, photo: Pablo Azocar

FINAL Results – September 5, 2008

Men’s snowboard
1. Nick Poohachoff, 18, South Lake Tahoe, USA - $6000
2. Nick Hyne
3. Dillon James  
4. Wes Walsh

Women’s snowboard
1. Christy Prior, 19, Kaukapakapa - $3000
2. Callie Conaghan
3. Shelly Gotlieb
4. Mia Stier