Cardrona – New Zealand, August 21, 2013: U.S. snowboard star Jamie Anderson won the 2014 season opener of the FIS Snowboard World Cup in Cardrona, New Zealand. The 22-year-old rewarded the patience of a passionate crowd with a stunning display of slopestyle riding after weather had disrupted the day’s schedule leading to a late afternoon finish for the ladies and the cancellation of the men’s competition.
However, the performance of all eight women in the final was well worth the wait. Anderson scored 94.75 in her first run of the finals, relegating Jenny Jones (GBR, 87.00) and Cheryl Maas (NED, 80.50) to second and third ranks respectively.
It was the second World Cup win for Anderson in her third start and the first podium for Jones in her fifth showing. Maas had a Cinderella start to the season, earning a podium place after coming back from a knee injury (ACL and meniscus).
Maas said of her comeback, “I’m stoked because I just came back from a six month injury, so I had a lot of problems training and mentally getting back. I was just about to start and never expected to make it to the finals and definitely not to podium. So I’m really happy and quite surprised.”
Anderson said of her win, “today has been just wonderful… long but really good. I’m so thankful it worked out and that everyone was patient with the earth. It’s just a part of the journey. I just wanted to land a run and do well but I wasn’t totally obsessed with winning. All of us had to deal with the weather which was quite challenging but we all rode really well and I’m so proud of all the girls and I’m really happy with myself.”
Due to heavy fog, the ladies competition had to be postponed, which led to the eventual cancellation of the men’s event.
The 2013/14 FIS Snowboard World Cup in the freestyle events consists of halfpipe, slopestyle and big air and features a total of eleven competitions, with the first slopestyle and halfpipe contests currently taking place in New Zealand.
Logan and Kemppainen win FIS Freestyle Skiing opener
Devin Logan (USA) and Antti-Jussi Kemppainen (FIN) won the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup opener in Cardrona, New Zealand, as part of the Winter Games NZ 2013. Logan, who just returned from a knee injury took her career’s second victory with 84.60 points, relegating fellow American and top qualifier Angeli Vanlaanen (USA) with 80 and Mirjam Jaeger (SUI) with 79.80 to second third place, respectively.
Cardrona has proven to be lucky for Logan, who has won both of her career titles at the New Zealand ski resort. She said of the victory, “The weather didn’t co-operate as everyone had hoped but I’m stoked to be back from my injury and happy to take the top spot. Feeling good!”
On the men’s side, Kemppainen impressed with his high and smoothly executed run, rich in trick variety, deservedly earning the high score of 86.60 and as a result his first ever World Cup win. US riders Aaron Blunck (83.80) and Taylor Seaton (79.40) rounded out the podium in second and third place.
It was Kemppainen’s first career title, who to date had finished in second place three times. He said of the win, “winning my first World Cup feels pretty good. I didn’t really expect anything this cool, but it’s definitely a good start for the season and I’m happy. I’ll take it!”
The results of run one counted as Organisers were forced to cut the event short due to heavy winds and bad visibility. —- FIS
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