Team Europe have been crowned the inaugural Winter Games Obsidian Team Challenge champions following an "epic" display yesterday.
They won the back-country freestyle challenge, held on the ET face in the spectacular Minaret Range — accessed by helicopter — to jump ahead of Team Americas and claim the title.
Team Europe were the clear winners of the challenge, throwing down traditional free-ride lines and working together as a team, with team member Nicolas Huber a particular standout.
They were seven points behind Team Americas heading into the final round, which followed the big air challenge and park challenge.
Team Europe overtook the leading squad, leaving Team Americas to finish second, followed by Team Oceania and Team Asia.
Team Oceania claimed the prize for the best "team vibe", working together as a cohesive unit and supporting each other throughout their day in the back-country.
Athletes were taken by helicopter up to the race, containing rolling playful terrain. Each team was accompanied by a guide, and a videographer, with the rules stating each athlete on a team had to feature in the video.
Team Europe made the decision to choose a completely different zone from Team Americas. Team Oceania also chose their own unique line, and Team Asia opted for a line that had similarities with Team Americas.
After their first run down, each team had the option to bump back up to the top and take a second run.
Team Europe’s tactics came into play as they opted out of the second lap, and instead decided to keep hitting the huge "back-country booter" they had built.
Judges added a twist to the back-country criteria, with points also based on how each team worked together.
Obsidian lead judge Tori Beattie said they managed to run the events "against all odds" between two major weather fronts.
"The competitors had the day of their lives. Every team worked together so well, and each took a vastly different approach.
"The teamwork was the winner on the day, and we saw epic tricks go down in the beautiful New Zealand back-country."
Huber, a two-time Winter Olympian, called the Obsidian the "best competition I have ever been a part of".
