Australia’s biggest ever snowboarding event, The Garnier Fructis Pro Challenge was held at Perisher Blue this weekend in ideal conditions. $100,000 in prize money was up for grabs, making it the richest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

It was a star-studded two-day event with some of the world’s most highly recognised snowboarders battling it out for the titles. Olympic Silver Medallist Danny Kass took first place the Men’s Slopestyle Final and 2nd place in the Superpipe Final, taking home a combined total of $18,000 in prize money.

Perisher Blue staff member Cohen Davies was the surprise second place getter in the Slopestyle final edged out by just 0.2, an amazing result for the 21 year old from Wollongong, NSW.

 US Open Half Pipe Champion and Cooma local Torah Bright faired extremely well in both the Slopestyle and Superpipe disciplines. She placed first in the Women’s Slopestyle Final and tied for second in the Halfpipe Final, scoring a total of $16,000 in prize money.

Of her slopestyle win, Torah said: “I am so happy to win today, I haven't competed in Australia for a number of years so it was important to win and it's fantastic to see Garnier getting behind the sport here in Australia and putting on such a great event - The conditions are awesome with perfect weather and snow - It's been a great day!"
 
In a day of upsets on Sunday, Perisher Blue local and Olympian Holly Crawford beat an impressive field including Torah Bright and current Olympic Halfpipe Silver Medallist Gretchen Bleiler to take the $20,000 winner’s cheque.

Louie Vito from the USA took out the Men’s Superpipe event from Kass, pulling a never-seen-before in Australian competition, backside 1080 rotation in his final run to clinch the title. Local competitor, also an Olympian, Andrew Burton was third and the leading Australian.
 
Perisher Blue spokesman Neil Thew was very pleased with the overall weekend proceedings.

”We are delighted to have hosted the biggest snowboarding event ever seen in Australia,” he said. “It is a real boost to the Snowsports industry that we are able to attract such a high calibre field of elite athletes and provide outstanding facilities for them to compete.”

Garnier Fructis Managing Director Mark Tucker confirmed that the event would return again to Perisher Blue in 2007, something to earmark in the calendar for August 25-26 next season. 
 
 Competition Results

Grommets’ Halfpipe Final
1st Jason Maxfield, AUSTRALIA
 2nd Scott James, AUSTRALIA
 3rd Billy Hayman, AUSTRALIA
 
Grommets’ Slopestyle Final
1st Charlie Steinbacher, AUSTRALIA
2nd Jye Kearney, AUSTRALIA
3rd Scott James, AUSTRALIA
 
Women’s Halfpipe Final
1st Holly Crawford, AUSTRALIA $20,000 + $1,000 for leading Australian
2nd Tie Gretchin Blieler, USA  & Torah Bright, AUSTRALIA $6,000 each
 
Women’s Slopestyle Final
1st Torah Bright, AUSTRALIA $10,000
2nd Emily Thomas, AUSTRALIA $4,000
3rd Gretchin Blieler, USA $3,000
 
Men’s Halfpipe Final
1st Louie Vito, USA $20,000
2nd Danny Kass, USA $8,000
3rd Andrew Burton, AUSTRALIA $4,000 +$1,000 for leading Australian
 
Men’s Slopestyle Final
1st Danny Kass, USA $10,000
2nd Cohen Davies, AUSTRALIA $4,000
3rd Louie Vito, USA $3,000