The 2007/2008 Nokia sponsored Snowboard FIS World Cup will kick off this season in New Zealand for the first time. On August 31st and September 1st, the first Halfpipe contest will be held in Cardrona.

Riders from about 20 nations will fight for the first FIS World Cup points in the Johnny Superpipe.

Besides reigning 2007 title holders Ryoh Aono (JPN) and World Champion Manuela Laura Pesko (SUI), many well-known stars of the snowboard scene will put on quite a show in the halfpipe of Cardrona.

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 – just to mention a few big names.

“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.

All athletes will need to adjust to a new Halfpipe World Cup format. Only the best three ranked riders of each qualification heat will make it directly to the final. The 4th to 9th 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 last year.

www.fis-ski.com / www.cardrona.com