Billabong Big Air Day One Postponed-Wes Walsh Win's Panasonic Night Fight
Wanaka, New Zealand - Over 70 Snowboarders from 12 countries have descended on Snow Park in Wanaka, New Zealand to contest day one of the Billabong Snow Stock.
Early clear skies set the scene for Qualifying in the 3-Star Swatch TTR Billabong Big Air event, before strong winds blew in and forced a postponement of the opening round.
54 of 60 riders in the open men’s division completed their first of two runs but gale force NW winds made it impossible for the final four riders to complete their opening runs.
After going on hold for an hour, the wind increased and all qualifying action in the Open Men’s, Open Women’s and Junior Men’s divisions of the Billabong Big Air were called off.
All Open Men’s riders will have to redo their first runs when competition resumes tomorrow, weather permitting. Billabong Snow Stock organisers have the option to use Saturday 16th August as a weather day. The Billabong Big Air and the Nixon Quarter Pipe Throw Down will run over the following two days.
Despite the bad weather, the Panasonic Night Fight Rail Jam was held outside the Woolstore restaurant and Billabong Snow Stock festival tent on the 20-stair rail.
Wes Walsh (USA) took home a 42” Panasonic Plasma Television for best overall male performance while Callie Conaghan (AUS) scored a big screen for best overall female performance. Conaghan also won best trick for a front 50 to 180 out on the round bar. Scott Finch ( won best overall Junior Male and Nick Poohachoff (USA) won best trick in the men’s for a half cab 5 on to front 1 out on the round bar.
Video highlights of the Billabong Snow Stock will be hosted on billabong.com.au/snowstock at the completion of the event.
The Billabong Snow Stock is supported by Pacific Blue, Relentless, Panasonic, VonZipper, MTV, Snow Park NZ, Swatch TTR, Australian Snowboarder Magazine and DB.