The NZ Rookie Fest, the first 2017/2018 World Rookie Tour stop, came to an end and the first rookies and groms had been qualified for the World Rookie Finals, to be held in Kitzsteinhorn at Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria, from the 10th to the 15th of April 2018.
Starting with the Halpipe competition, on the 4th of October, Mitchell Davern won his Junior Nationals age category by adding a crippler 720 on the last hit and landing it clean.
“I really wanted to push myself to see if I could get on the podium,” said Mitch. “Everyone was throwing down so I decided to try the crippler. It was a bit risky because I haven’t landed it that much so it was really cool to put down my run.”
Zephyr Lovelock won the Intermediate Snowboard Boys’ age group and impressed the judges by grabbing every spin, tweaking the grabs and maintaining consistent amplitude down the pipe.
The NZ Rookie Fest Champions are:
Mitchell Davern – Rookie Boys
Cool Wakushima – Rookie Girls
Zephyr Lovelock – Grom Boys
Meila Stalker – Grom Girls
Ending with the Slopestyle competion, on the 5th of October, Makayla Kellogg was one of the strongest female snowboarders of the day. Her rails were impressive with a 50-50 180 out, half cab to 180 pretzel, switch 50-50 to backboard, front 50-50 to front board, but the jump line was what secured the gold medal with a cab 5, straight air mute tweak, back 3.
Regarding the Senior Boys Snowboard age group, Lachie Blackmore became the winner thanks to his perfect landings combined with a technical rail line with hardways 270 on the down-flat-down.
“I was pretty nervous coming into today’s competition, there was a bit more pressure with it being a World Rookie Tour event as well.,” said Lachie. “I’m really pleased with my result because it means now I can go and compete in the World Rookie Tour finals in Austria next year.”
The Cardrona NZ Rookie Fest Snowboard Slopestyle Champions are:
Lachie Blackmore – Rookie Boys
Makayla Kellogg – Rookie Girls
Zephyr Lovelock– Grom Boys
