ASPEN, Colorado, USA (January 28, 2008) – Young Wanaka skier, Jossi Wells (17) today made history at the 12th EXPN Winter X Games by being the first New Zealander, not only to be invited to compete in the event, but to win a medal at the world's biggest snow sports event.

Wells took out silver in the Slopestyle and earned fifth in the Superpipe placing him at the pinnacle of his sport, not just in New Zealand but around the world.

His run saw him spinning on and off the trapezoid and up boxes before going into switch (backward) left and right 1080s and 900s on the four massive kickers. In detail: 450 on blind side 270 out on the trapezoid box, straight on misty 450 off the up box, switch right 1080 on kicker one, switch left 900 on kicker two, left 900 on kicker three finishing with a switch left 1080 japan on kicker four.

Gold medallist Andreas Hatveit (NOR) and Wells were the only two skiers throwing unnatural 1080's. Wells was leading the event right up until the last run when Hatveit knocked him off the top and into silver with a near perfect run scoring 94 to Wells' 90. Third place went to Jon Olssen (NOR) with 87.

Wells said winning an X Games medal was his long term goal.

"I have been dreaming of this day for a very, very long time. It was by far the best day off my life and I'm really pumped for the rest of the season over here," he said. "But this is not enough for me... I am going to train really hard this year and come back and win it next year. My life goal is to win X Games gold in both slopestyle and superpipe in the same year."

New Zealand National Free Ski Coach, Nick Draxel said Wells' win highlighted the incredible skiing talent that still remained largely unrecognised in New Zealand.

"It was an awesome performance, to put down a run like that as one of the first skiers down. Jossi had us all on the edge of our seats, and it was clear that he would be taking a medal," he said. "It's New Zealand's first X Games medal, but with Jossi and the rest of the team leading the charge ahead of our many up and comers we can be sure that it won't be our last. Well done Jossi!"

For further information, visit www.expn.com.