Winter Games: Wānaka teenager shines on snowboard halfpipe

Campbell Melville Ives took the win in the FIS Snowboard Halfpipe Australia New Zealand Cup (ANC) Premium at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

The Wānaka 18-year-old scored of 89.33 on Cardrona’s 22-foot Olympic Halfpipe on Monday, 26 August. His run featured a cab double cork 1080, alley-oop backside rodeo 540, and a backside 900, finished with a frontside 720 nose grab.

"The highlight of my day was just getting to ride the pipe again. It's been so long since NZ has had a halfpipe, so it's awesome to have one in my home country again," he says.

The judges were impressed by the difficulty of his cab double cork 1080 and the progression shown in his alley-oop backside rodeo. They also praised the variety and execution throughout his run.

Haku Shimasaki (JAP) took second place, while Kade Martin (USA) rounded out the podium in third.

In the women’s competition Sara Shimizu (JAP) claimed the top spot on the podium with a progressive and well-executed run, including a haakon 720 into a frontside 900. Judges commended her variety, clean grabs, strong amplitude, and overall ability to meet most of the judging criteria.

"I felt really good once I started competing today," Shimizu said. "I am really happy to be in New Zealand."

Joining Shimizu on the podium were Rise Kudou (JAP), who took second place, and Giada Brienza (USA), who finished third.

Head judge Gareth Vogan says: "It was an incredible day under the sun, and we're thrilled that the Cardrona team was able to build the pipe in time for the event.

"We aimed to reward progression as much as possible because it's the aspect of the sport we want to see continue evolving. Overall, it was a really great day."

The next ANC Premium event on the schedule is the Freeski Slopestyle, set to take place on the 4- 5 September. Winter Games NZ continues today, Tuesday, 27 August with the FIS ANC Alpine Ski Racing programme at Coronet Peak.