The action in the third annual Volkl New Zealand Free Ski Open switched from the backcountry to Snow Park NZ today for the NZCT Halfpipe event.

Xavier Bertoni (FRA) dominated by dropping in switch followed by massive switch and regular airs, back to back fives, back to back nines, finishing with a 1080 in the pipe.

Kevin Rolland (FRA) also dropped in switch from the top doing big clean smooth airs.

Tucker Perkins and Taylor Seaton, both from the USA, just clipped highest place Kiwi, Jossi Wells, for third and fourth respectively. Well's big 1080 at the end of his run wasn't quite enough to repeat last year's success and he finished in fifth.

Angeli Van Laanen (USA) took out the women's title with big smooth airs and spins finishing off with a 720 at the bottom of the pipe riding out switch. Second place went to Mirjam Jaeger (SUI) who executed the only double grab of the day on her first hit with excellent height and style down into back-to-back spins. No Kiwis made it through to women's final.

"The results reflect the large international field this event attracts with eight countries represented on a day of high level riding," said head judge, Dion Newport. "The standard of riding was definitely up from previous years and we're looking forward to what the Red Bull Slopestyle brings tomorrow."

The park action continues tomorrow with the Red Bull Slopestyle event during the day at Snow Park NZ and the public judging of the Icebreaker Big Mountain Heli-Finals on the giant screen BaseCamp Wanaka. For further information, visit www.freeskier.co.nz.

Photo Caption: France's Xavier Bertoni.
Photographer: Camilla Stoddart.