Snow sports: Teens ensure fine Finnish to champs

Alexander Adamyants, of Russia, holds the Marc Hodler trophy for best snowboarding nation. Photo...
Alexander Adamyants, of Russia, holds the Marc Hodler trophy for best snowboarding nation. Photo by Marjorie Cook.
Two 19-year-old Finns stole the show at the final event of the world junior snowboard and freestyle championships in Wanaka yesterday.

Enni Rukajarvi (women's) and Petja Piiroinen (men's) won their respective snowboard big air titles in the finale to 18 days of snow sports competition at Cardrona Alpine Ski Resort, the Snow Park and the Snow Farm.

Competition took place on a 20m jump that challenged the smallest of the girls, prompting some to use the 17m option instead.

Several men were encouraged to try the progressive Shaun White-style double cork (two spins then a double somersault).

Conditions were variable, with fog rolling in occasionally and causing a long delay in the middle of the day.

The best-performed New Zealanders were Stefi Luxton, of Wanaka (fourth in the women's event), and Ben Comber, of Christchurch (sixth in the men's).

Championships patron and New Zealand Olympian snowboarder Juliane Bray said the level of riding was outstanding.

FIS technical director Thomas Gurzeler, of Switzerland, said small changes had been suggested to the organisers and all issues had been discussed and worked through.

"The organisation was really, really good," Gurzeler said.

Results:

Women: Enni Rukajarvi, Finland, 1 (26pts); Urska Pribosic, Slovenia, 2; Klaudia Medlova, Slovakia 3.

Men: Petja Piiroinen, Finland, 1 (27.3pts); Seppe Smits, Belgium, 2; Ville Paumola, Finland, 3.

Marc Hodler trophy for best snowboarding nation: Russia 1; US 2; Austria 3.

 

Add a Comment