Great weather conditions prevailed for day two of the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games at The Remarkables. The Snowboard-Slopestyle qualifications kicked off with New Zealanders making up over half of the 30 strong qualifying field, six of whom made it through to the final 12. Head Slopestyle Judge, Ola Sundequist said the number of New Zealanders in the field reflected the depth of New Zealand’s snowboarding talent.

New Zealander Stef Zeestraten finished first in the men’s competition followed by Queenstown local Nick Hyne in second place. Gjermund Braaten from Norway, the World Rookie Champion of 2008, finished third. Stef Zeestraten said, “It was pretty cool to be home and do so well. Not only are all the New Zealanders killing it today but it’s awesome to see New Zealand put on a cool event.”

Fellow kiwi, Shelly Gotlieb, followed suit by taking out first place in the women’s event. Shelly, who originally hails from Ohakune, recently came fifth in the 2009 US Burton Open but thinks today’s win was more special due to it being at home. Second place went to recent Burton NZ Open winner Jamie Anderson from the USA and third place to Aimee Fuller of Great Britain.

Photo: Shelly Gotlieb’s winning style. Source: Getty Images

The Canadian team dominated the podium at today’s cross country competition. A dusting of fresh snow overnight and clear blue skies welcomed athletes to the Snow Farm today with fast paced action for the first of three days of cross country ski racing.

Canada dominated the podium in all categories taking first, second and third in the men’s 15km classic race. Devon Kershaw crossed the line first, with team mates Ivan Babikov and Alex Harvey in second and third place.

Canadian three-time Olympian Sara Renna won the women’s 10 km race saying it really tested athlete’s fitness and technical ability. “The fresh snow last night made the conditions challenging to predict for our wax technicians, I only received my skis 30 seconds before race start!” she said.

There were also strong performances in the adaptive competition, racing on the same course as the able-bodied athletes. Japan’s top disabled cross country athlete Kozo Kubo finished first in the sit ski category and Canada’s highest ranked Colette Bourgonje won the women’s sit ski category (10km). In the standing section Japan’s Nitta Yoshihiro took the men’s standing (15km) title and Ota Shoko the women’s title (10km).

Photo: Devon Kershaw on way to victory: Getty Images

Team Australia’s experience won through in the first match of the double header Trans Tasman ice hockey series in Dunedin last night. In front of a crowd of 2500 at Dunedin’s Ice Stadium, the Ice Blacks made a thrilling start with goals by Paris Heyd and Brett Speirs putting them up 2-1 within the first thirteen minutes of the game. The Ice Blacks have never beaten Australia at senior level and this was the first time in their ten match history that they had hit the front during a match. However Australia fought back and coasted home to an 8-2 victory.

Rob Starke the Australia Captain gave credit to the Ice Blacks for their very strong start but put the win down to his team’s superior skating experience. “We played offensive and defensive two-way hockey which is why we were able to win.”  The Ice Blacks have a chance to even the score between their Trans Tasman rivals tonight with the final ice hockey test of the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games starting at the Dunedin Ice Stadium at 5pm.

Photo: Casey Minson of Australia shoots for goal. Source: Getty Images

New Zealand cross country skier Ben Koons moved closer to qualifying for the Winter Olympic team today finishing eighteenth amongst a highly competitive international field.

100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games continues tomorrow, Monday 24th August, with Sprint Cross Country at the Snow Farm, Snowboard Cross at Cardrona, and more curling at Naseby.