NZ FREESKI OPEN: Kiwi takes Slopestyle

Australian Russ Henshaw, who finished third at last year’s NZ Freeski Open Slopestyle, moved up one place from last year by earning a second-place finish. Henshaw threw a clean Cab 7 on the 45-footer and a smooth Cab 10 on the last kicker. Rounding out the podium was Quebec native Alexis Godbout, another youngster like Wells who reached in his deep bag of technical tricks throwing a switch back-flip off the gap to step down up top to a huge Cab 1080 on the last kicker.

As for the pro-rollerblader turned freeskier, Turski, who has only been skiing regularly for a year and a half, she easily stood out in the ladies' field by stomping a switch 900 on the last kicker. Tori Beattie and Anna Segal, battled it out finishing second and third respectively, with Segal throwing massive Lincoln loops—yes, a female throwing Lincoln loops in a slopestyle comp.

Americans Simon Dumont and Sammy Carlson both threw down, but did not stand atop the podium. French-Canadian Charles Gagnier did not compete today due to a sore back.

Check back in a few days for the Volkl Big Mountain competition on Friday, continuing the two week-long NZ Freeski Open.

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