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Stephanie Gilmore wins Roxy Pro Goldcoast 2009

Final heat Stephanie Gilmore from Australia against Melanie Bartels from Hawaii. Steph with a solid 9.57pt and 6.5pt wins the event.

Hareb makes flying start to world tour

SYDNEY – New Zealand surfer Paige Hareb made a flying start to her world tour debut, beating her two Australian opponents to progress to the second round on the Gold Coast today.

The Taranaki 18-year-old scorched through her heat with 15.02 points, beating Samantha Cornish (12.10 points) and Jessi Miley-Dyer (11.50).

Hareb’s heat was first in the water and she ensured victory with two waves where she topped seven points from the judges, as the Australians were unable to match her.

It was an anxious three-day wait for Hareb to become the first New Zealand woman to surf the world tour, with flat seas postponing the action on Saturday and Sunday.

Competition finally got under way for the 18-woman field this morning after it was relocated from the primary venue at Snapper Rocks around the corner to Duranbah Beach, in consistent two-foot (0.75m) swells.

- NZPA

AI Swims crack of doom

Kangchenjunga Ski Expedition Update 6

NO SUMMIT ON KANGCHENJUNGA

The first day of our summit push on Kangchenjunga gave a big surprise. The weather was nice, the snow was solid to climb on and we were moving easily up to ?¢‚Ǩ?ìThe Hump?¢‚Ǩ?ì at 6200 meters where the site for our first camp was. Only one problem, there was no tent where we left it a week ago. The wind had taken it for a little flight about a hundred meters away and dumped it into a crevasse. Luckily we found it and it wasn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t too damaged. A bit of duct tape could fix it.

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Kangchenjunga Ski Expedition Update 5

Base Camp Life

At the moment we are stuck in base camp and all we can do is to wait for the weather to change. I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m getting a bit of d?ɬ©j?ɬ† vu from last year on Dhaulagiri. Acclimatization climbs passed by without any problems but as soon as I?¢‚ǨÀúm ready for the summit the weather changes totally. Last year it was a week of snowfall that stopped me, this year the jet stream has taken over the mountain. For about a week now it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s been around 90 km/h wind up on 8000 meters and that is no place for us to be in those conditions.

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Kelly Slater secures his ninth ASP World Title in Spain

Kelly Slater : photo ASP Cestari/Covered Images

Mundaka, Basque Country/Spain – Kelly Slater, 36, has won a record ninth ASP World Title after advancing out of Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Mundaka ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú the ninth event of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour. Slater came into the event needing an equal ninth finish to clinch the title, he secured that by beating local wildcard Eneko Acero (EUK) in four foot waves at Mundaka this morning.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìIt?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s going to take a little while to sink in,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù Slater said when mobbed at the water?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s edge. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìI?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m probably going to have to call home and talk to family for it to really hit me.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Slater?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s 2008 crowning comes 16 years after securing his first ASP World Title at age 20. He is the oldest and youngest surfer in ASP history to win a world title. The now nine-time ASP World Champion joined the tour in 1991 and won his first ASP World Title in 1992. When asked if he had ever dreamed about achieving such a feat when he came onto the scene 17 years ago, Slater was close to speechless.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìI never even thought about it,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù Slater said. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìIt never even popped into my head. It?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s crazy.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Kelly Slater & Taylor Knox : photo ASP Kirstin/Covered Images

Despite entering his 14th year on tour already the owner of most every accolade in professional surfing, 2008 has been a banner year for Slater. With five wins in the first seven events of the year, a second place finish at the last event in France and a Round 4 berth at the Billabong Pro Mundaka later today, Slater is on track to post his most successful season to date. Slater?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s winning average in 2008 is 89 percent at present.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìI felt a lot more at ease this year,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù Slater said. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìIt?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s probably my personal life. That?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s the biggest change in my life. I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m happy and settled and I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ve got the support there that just feels amazing. Nothing else has really changed, I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ve worked with my boards a little bit here and there and I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ve always worked on my mind and my emotions, but something just really clicked into place this year.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

After winning his first ASP World Tour title in 1992 and claiming five titles in a row from 1994 to 1998, Slater went into semi-retirement at age 26 citing burnout and lack of motivation. He returned to the tour full-time in 2003, lost a heart-wrenching title race to Andy Irons (HAW) that same year, and wasn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t able to reclaim the crown until 2005. Slater cruised to title No. 8 in 2006, finished World No. 3 in 2007 and is once again World No. 1 after winning his ninth ASP World Title today.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìIn 1996 I had a good year ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú I won 7 out of 13,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù Slater said. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìIn 1996 I won five events of 12 ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú but both years I was counting ninths at the end of the year. This year I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ve won five events of eight, I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m sitting on a second and I still have a throwaway to spare. The depth of success I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ve had this season is the deepest of my career.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Kelly Slater : photo ASP Kirstin/Covered Images

With such a monumental lead so early in the season, it was less a matter of if Slater would win the title, and more a matter of when. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìI think there were key heats this year, a few I had with Taj, Parko and even Bobby in Fiji, where I got waves under the other surfers?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ priority and won important heats, that it really sunk in that it was going to happen,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù Slater said. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìIt was probably JBay where it really sunk in.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Slater was quick to acknowledge 2007 ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) and the support he?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s given him both professionally and personally today.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìWhen Mick won last year I was obviously really stoked for him.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù Slater said. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìI think I knew from the first contest last year that Mick was going to win. He was really focused and he didn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t have anything standing in his way mentally or emotionally. He was the one person who sent me text when I was looking at leaving that said, ?¢‚ǨÀúWe need you to stay on tour. Don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t worry, you?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll find that personal stuff. It will happen,?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ and now it has. Even though he is the toughest competitor on tour he?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s always been a good friend and I have a lot of respect for Mick.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Because Slater lost interest after winning five titles in a row from ?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢94 to ?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢98, and then toyed with retirement again after winning No. 7 and No. 8 right after each other, it would seem like winning back to back titles might have lost its appeal for the world?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s most decorated surfer.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìNo, winning them back to back is still pretty sweet,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù Slater said with a smile. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìIf I can go back to back starting now that would be pretty sweet. It is really nice to come back and win it after you lost it the year before though. I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m sure if Mick were to come back and win one, or Andy were to come back and win one ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú C.J., any of those guys, they would definitely say how sweet it is to win it again.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Miller and Cafe Win Golden Bibs at the Australia New Zealand Cup Finals at Mt Hutt

September 14 2008: Volkswagen National Team members Janelle Miller 22 (Queenstown) and Tim Cafe 21 (Queenstown) have won the Australia New Zealand Cup (ANC) golden bibs following the final series at Mt Hutt.

 

The golden bibs have been introduced for the first time this year and allow the holders a 31 start position in all disciplines at Europa Cup, Nor-Am and World Cup races. Only Australian and New Zealand competitors are eligible for the bibs.

 

Cafe who won the Super Combi yellow bib as well says it is huge for him to win the overall bib. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìIt literally does mean gold for me and gives me a guaranteed start place at 31 in any of those events during the Northern Hemisphere winter. It?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s awesome.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

 

Miller is equally as excited after also winning both the Super G and the Super Combi bib. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìIt is going to be fantastic to know that I don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t have to start around the hundred mark in the races this coming season.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

 

National Team member Angus Howden 27 (Wellington) won the ANC men?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s giant slalom yellow bib, after consolidating his points for the series by taking out second place, in the international field at the ANC finals giant slalom. He made a 25 point result which will significantly improve his world ranking.

 

The race was won by Frederik Nordh of Sweden in 2.18.43, Howden was second in 2.19.25 and Bjoergvin Bjooergvinsson of Iceland finished third in 2.19.39.

 

Young 15-year-old athlete Taylor Smith (Auckland /Cardrona High Performance Centre) won the ANC women?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s giant slalom yellow bib after accruing the most points during the series.

 

The ANC women?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s finals giant slalom was dominated by internationals with Daniel Gasienica of Poland winning in 2.21.97 ahead of her team mate Katarzyna Karasinska in second place in 2.22.98. Kristen Mielke of the United States was third in 2.25.51.

 

Janelle Miller was first Kiwi in fifth place in 2.28.23 while Taylor Smith finished 10th overall in 2.32.47.

 

The ANC men?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s yellow slalom bib was won by Christian Geiger of Australia.

 

Arnaud Favre of France won the ANC men?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s finals slalom in 1.25.14, Ruedi Von Kaenel of Switzerland who trains with the Cardrona High Performance Centre was second in 1.25.77 and Frederik Nordh was third in 1.26.65.

 

Tim Cafe was first New Zealander in seventh place in 1.27.71.

 

Lucie Tait-Jamieson 20 (Auckland/Cardrona High Performance Centre) won the women?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s ANC yellow bib.

 

Third place in the ANC women?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s finals slalom went to Janelle Miller who clocked 1.37.71. The race was taken out by Katarzyna Karasinska in 1.32.51 and Tereza Kimochova of the Czech Republic was second in 1.36.27. Lucie Tait-Jamieson placed fifth overall in 1.38.85.

World?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Best Freeskiers Get Ready For The Volkl NZ Freeski Open 2008

Wanaka, New Zealand (August 19, 2008) The Volkl NZ Freeski Open by the Royal New Zealand Air Force kicks off this week with an all star line up of the world?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s best extreme freeskiers.
The fourth annual event covers three major freeski disciplines: Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Mountain. The Slopestyle and Halfpipe are held at Snow Park NZ. Big Mountain freeskiers face the steepest and most challenging terrain testing the chutes of The Remarkables and Treble Cone ski areas. 180 entrants will compete in total over the three disciplines for the $35,000 prize pool.

Top athletes include Winter X Games medallists Jossi Wells (Wanaka, NZ) and Colby West (USA), European Open Winner Russ Henshaw (AUS) and World Freeskiing Tour Medallist Janina Kuzma (Wanaka, NZ). The athlete line-up is in fact so power packed that it rivals that of the biggest events on the international circuit.
For up and coming New Zealand elite and professional athletes, the event provides an opportunity to compete against the world?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s best in an international level event right at their doorstep. Run by Snow Sports NZ (SSNZ) and the Freeski Association of New Zealand (FSANZ) the event is now the pinnacle freeski event of the Southern Hemisphere.
Nick Draxl, President of FSANZ says that the event is crucial for the development of the sport in NZ.
?¢‚Ǩ?ìHaving an international freeski event held on home soil not only allows our athletes the best opportunity for international success it also increases the profile of NZ as an international destination for winter sports?¢‚Ǩ¬ù.
Aside from the athletes, the event has attracted the world?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s best Judges including Winter X Games Head Judge, Josh Loubek (USA) and World Freeskiing Tour Head Judge Jim Jack (USA). As a NZ Freeski Association initiative, both judges will be running workshops prior to the event to help the development of NZ Judges.
Winter sport brand Volkl Ski has returned as naming sponsor and The Royal NZ Air Force (RNZAF) has stepped up to the plate as presenting sponsor to show their support for young Kiwi?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s staking their claim in the world of freeskiing.

RNZAF Director of Recruitment, Lisa D’Oliveira is excited to be supporting the event.
?¢‚Ǩ?ìThis is a not for profit event run for the benefit of the sport in NZ so RNZAF will be helping to support health and fitness of young New Zealanders through this popular sporting genre?¢‚Ǩ¬ù.
In a bid to make the event accessible to New Zealand and the world, daily webcasts will be posted on the internet, giving athletes along with their friends, family and fans the opportunity to view each day?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s footage at their leisure.
Spectators are encouraged to witness the finals of the Slopestyle and Halfpipe events from 1pm at Snow Park on the 22nd and 23rd August. The Remarkables will host the qualifying round of the Big Mountain event on the 25th August and Treble Cone is hosting the finals from 10am on Tuesday the 26th August. Spectators should bring a comfy seat/rug.
To visit the event promotion, 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 kristy@snowsports.co.nz

Confirmed invited athletes:
FEMALE:
Anna Segal (AUS)
Ashley Battersby (USA)
Kim Lamarre (USA)
Anais Caradeux (FR)
Janina Kuzma (NZ)
Rosalind Groenenwoud (USA)
Kerri Herman (USA)

Male:
Colby West (USA)
Xavier Bertoni (FR)
Jossi Wells (NZ)
Russ Henshaw (AUS)
Sam Smoothy (NZ)
Brett Crabtree (CAN)
Justin Dorey (CAN)

Final Call To All Big Mountain Rippers

The count-down is on ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú just 2 days to go until Craigieburn Valley Ski Area comes alive with the buzz of this winter?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s first K2 Big Mountain event.

All big mountain skiers in the country right now are encouraged to make the pilgrimage to the Cragieburn range for next weekend?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s first event of the two part K2 big mountain series. First prize for the event is $500 cash, with a total prize pool of $2800 cash across the two events.

Cragieburn Valley Ski Area is awesome right now, completely loaded with snow with an average base just under 2 metres. Significant snow falls have filled in the ski area with an excellent snow pack, and the competition promises to be an epic battle of the many free-ride masters in attendance.

The K2 video teaser for the event can be viewed right now at Snowflick. This clip has some action from previous events.

Weather permitting, the main competition will be held on Saturday 16th of August with each skier/rider getting two runs to impress the judges. If the weather holds, and snow conditions are suitable, a Sunday super-final will be held in the Remarkables terrain to crown overall men?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s and women?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s champions.

Athletes are encouraged to log onto the CHILL website at to register for the K2 series now. Registration prior to the event can be made for $40, or can be organised on the day. Competitors are required to be at Whakamaru lodge from 9am, competition briefing will be at 9:30am at Whakamaru.

More information with CHILL on 03 318 4830, at www.chillout.co.nz, or you can email on hq@chillout.co.nz.

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