Riders Vie For 10 Spots In Slopestyle Semis Of Volkl NZ Freeski Open (05-Aug-10)

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, August 5, 2010 - Thursday marks the official kick off

Thursday marks the official kick off of the 2010 Volkl NZ Freeski Open with the Men’s Slopestyle Qualifiers beginning at 10:20am at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

The competitors were out for an official training day today and according to the judges and spectators, the tricks were epic. 

“It was like having a front row seat at the X Games without the crowds,” said Ford Rylander, a visitor from Austin, Texas.

“I didn’t know it was a training day and couldn’t believe the tricks I was seeing.  It was humbling to watch.”

The men’s and women’s slopestyle practice begins at 9am with the men’s qualifiers starting at 10:20am.  The slopestyle course is within easy viewing from the base lodge and t hose riding either McDougalls Chair or Whitestar will get to see all the action all day long.

Riders will get two runs each with the best score counted and the top ten will advance to the semi-finals on Friday.

For a full schedule of the three-day slopestyle and halfpipe events, click here.