The freestyle element of the Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup kicks of the new season with a halfpipe contest in Cardrona, New Zealand on August 31 and September 1.

“We’ll see probably one of the best competitions ever because so many good riders will be there,” said Tor Svensson, the Swedish coach of the Dutch team.

Besides reigning 2007 title holders Ryoh Aono (JPN) and World Champion Manuela Laura Pesko (SUI), many well-known stars will be there.

On the ladies’ side, Gretchen Bleiler (USA) and Kjersti Buaas (NOR), who took home Silver and Bronze at the 2006 Olympic Games, will battle for victory. In the men’s competition, 2005 Double World Champion Antti Autti (FIN), his former countryman Risto Mattila, Kazuhiro Kokubo (JPN) and Christophe Schmidt (GER) will drop in the Johnny Superpipe.

This year sees the introduction of a new halfpipe format. Only the best three ranked riders of each qualification heat will make it directly to the final. The fourth to ninth ranked of each qualifier have to fight for the last final spots in the semi finals where only the top six men and three ladies proceed. In the finals, twelve men and six ladies will compete in two runs like the years before.