Juniors Gear up for Nationals at Cardrona
The country’s best young snow guns go head-to-head at Cardrona Alpine Resort these school holidays for the prestigious title of Junior National Champion.
The Cardrona Grom Prix New Zealand Ski and Snowboard Junior Nationals kicks off on Monday September 27 and runs until October 1.
Cardrona Sales and Marketing Manager Nadia Ellis says this event, attracting hundreds of under-19s, has become the pinnacle youth age event on the snow sports calendar.
“The calibre of these young athletes is really amazing and the competition will be fantastic to watch,” she says.
“These kids are going to be stars of the future X Games and Olympics.”
The title of Junior National Champion will be awarded to the best scoring Kiwi in each discipline and age group.
Disciplines include Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Gravity Cross, Big Mountain and Duel Giant Slalom.
The winner of the Salomon Scholarship, presented by NZsnowboard.com, will also be announced.
One talented young snowboarder will receive support, instruction and mentoring from world-class athletes as well as hardware from Salomon Snowboards and outerwear from Bonfire.
“Cardrona is giving the lucky recipient a season pass for the 2011 season,” says Ms Ellis.
“We feel that Cardrona is the perfect training ground for these athletes.”
Age Divisions
Date of Birth is calculated from 31st Dec 2009
Grommets9 years & underBorn 2000 or later
Youth10 years - 13 yearsBorn 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
Juniors14 years - 16 yearsBorn 1995, 1994, 1993
Rookies17 years - 18 yearsBorn 1992 - 1991
Event Disciplines & Dates
Fri 17th SeptemberEntries close (late entries may not be accepted)
Sun 26th SeptemberBib collection (from 9am) Competitor meeting, 3pm Noodle Bar
Mon 27th SeptemberSki Slopestyle (SS)
Snowboard Cross (SBX)
Snowboard Duel GS (DGS)
Tues 28th SeptemberSki Dual GS (GS)
Snowboard Slopestyle (SS)
Ski Cross (SX)
Weds 29th SeptemberSki Halfpipe (HP)
Snowboard Freeride / Big Mountain (BM)
Thurs 30th SeptemberSnowboard Halfpipe (HP)
Ski Big Mountain (BM)
Fri 1st OctoberWeather day
IMAGE: Cardrona Grom Prix Junior Nationals 2009. Pic credit Jane Sinclair