The South Island’s largest ski area Treble Cone (Wanaka, New Zealand) hosted the annual DB Export Banked Slalom snowboard event on Saturday the 16th of August, with a strong contingent of riders, great snow, and beautiful blue sky day for racing.

The 2014 event offered a $2000 cash prize pool, including $750 cash for each of the fastest overall male, and the fastest overall female, along with $250 cash for the runners up, trophies for first place, and spot prizes including a Never Summer snowboard.

With the mass of recent snow and great conditions in the Saddle Basin at Treble Cone, the venue looked fantastic, and the natural halfpipe Shooter was set as the course.

‘A solid turn out of local riders from Treble Cone and other Southern Lakes ski areas, along with international riders visiting our great region for training and freeriding set the scene for a fantastic banked slalom event.’ Nick Noble, Treble Cone Marketing Manager.

The female division was won by Kiwi Winter Olympian and snowboard slopestyle specialist Christy Prior, ahead of runner Ash Cowper and in third place Hannah Orchard.

In the male event local rider and Rookie Academy coach Richie Johnstone took out first place in the open division, ahead of Treble Cone snowboard instructor Volker Blepp, and Keith Stubbs in third place.

Masters results
1st Nick Bourke 54.01
2nd Damion Lee 57.71
3rd Roy Kewish 58.6

Open mens
1st Ritchie Johnston 49.22
2nd Volker Blepp 52.16
3rd Keith Stubbs 52.8

Open womens
1st Christy Prior 59.93
2nd Ash Cowper 1.00.11
3rd Hannah Orchard 1.02.50