Cardrona NZ Junior Nationals Welcomes Top Juniors and First Time Competitors for Season Finale

The Cardrona NZ Junior Freeski and Snowboard National Championships got underway in Wanaka today with over 200 competitors aged five to 18 competing in the Salomon Skier-cross, Ski Giant Slalom and Smith Snowboard Slopestyle. The Junior Nationals run over five days and comprise a variety of disciplines from racing through to park and pipe, and freeride. Competitors have travelled from throughout New Zealand to take part in this long running event which has for many years showcased the talents of young snow sports athletes.

For many it is a chance to try their hand competing for the first time, for others it is a chance to hone their skills and provides a stepping stone to the international stage. NZ Winter Youth Olympian Tiarn Collins (Queenstown) is using the Junior Nationals as a final hit out before heading to the northern hemisphere to train and compete on the World Cup circuit for snowboard slopestyle and halfpipe.
 
Ski racer Ben Richards (Wanaka), who had an impressive northern hemisphere season with medal results at major international events such as the Whistler Cup in Canada and Trofeo Borrufa in Andorra, was one of the standout performers on the race tracks today, winning both the GS and the gravity cross in the male Secondary Year 11-13 age group.