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Posted on Wednesday August 3rd at 11:02 a.m.
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The world's bravest skiers took on the fearsome peaks surrounding Wanaka on New Zealand's South Island as part of the World Heli Challenge - including 12-year-old Mitch Reeves of Mt Buller
BEING dropped by a helicopter on top of some of the gnarliest mountains in New Zealand is not for the faint hearted.
But some of the world's finest big-mountain skiers and snowboarders made getting to the bottom look easy at the World Heli Challenge in Wanaka, New Zealand, this week.
The world's bravest skiers took on the fearsome peaks surrounding Wanaka on New Zealand's South Island as part of the World Heli Challenge. Here some of the competitors wave to fellow skiers, heading to the top of the mountains onboard a chopper.
The world's bravest skiers took on the fearsome peaks surrounding Wanaka on New Zealand's South Island as part of the World Heli Challenge.
Ted Davenport on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
Ted Davenport on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
Ted Davenport on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
Ted Davenport on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
One of the skiers on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
One of the skiers on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert. Picture
One of the skiers on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
One of the snowboarders on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
One of the snowboarders on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
One of the snowboarders on the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
Australian Chris Booth dropping into the Extreme Day of the 2011 World Heli Challenge on Mt Albert.
(All photos credited to Tony Harrington)
However, danger is never far away in the New Zealand mountains.
Two-time World Heli Challenge champion Ted Davenport, of the US, broke his leg when he failed to land a jump off a cliff face.
Davenport's biggest concern was not about how long he'd be out of action, but rather that he's getting married in two months.
"I'm not going to be too popular back home,"' he said.
Among those who skied to safety was the event's youngest competitor, 12-year-old Mitch Reeves, of Mt Buller.
"Just an awesome little skier,"
Davenport said of young Mitch.
The World Heli Challenge is the brainchild of noted Aussie adventure photographer Tony Harrington. The ridgelines were filled with top photographers and filmers, all vying for their chance to win awards for their work at the World Heli Challenge Shootout.
Their photos and mini-documentaries will be featured at the World Heli Challenge showcase night in Wanaka on Thursday, when the ski and snowboard competitions winners will also be announced.
The event's final day of competition, Extreme Day on Mt Albert, featured many athletes going huge with awe-inspiring cliff drops that had spectators holding their breath until they were landed safely.
Among the Australian skiers competing were noted freeriders Chris Booth, Charlie Timmins and Boen Ferguson, while Nat Segal was a standout in the women's section.
The snowboarders included Torah Bright's brother Ben and young Winter Olympian Scott James.
Source: Daily Telegraph
Article: Arthur Stanley