News
Jindabyne local Russ Henshaw has taken out the double crown, winning the People’s Choice award after placing first in Australia’s first gold ranked AFP (Association of Freeskiing Professionals) big air event. Henshaw’s Southern Hemisphere first, a technical triple cork 1440 closely edged out Canadian Jaeden Schneider-Clark’s stylish switch 1080, stalefish grab.
Henshaw takes home an additional $5,000 cash prize after conquering an international field of some of the world’s best freeskiers, kicking off a successful competition season with Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic in his sights. The People’s Choice big air tricks were filmed over the biggest jump ever seen in Australia at Thredbo Alpine Resort, and were self-selected by each athlete as the trick they felt would impress the online public audience the most.
“This week has the most relaxed and fun vibe to it, which always brings on the crazy tricks. To come out on top feels amazing! I wanna thank everyone for helping me with the win!” said Henshaw from his high country villa.
One voter also walks away a winner with Alana from the Illawarra set to get the ‘Ultimate Winter Prize’. Alana and a friend will embark on a luxury powder filled adventure worth over $10,000, including return Jetstar flights for two to Japan staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel in Hakuba, brand new skis or snowboard from Salomon, head-to-toe Mons Royale merino first layer clothing and the new GoCam waterproof, wearable HD camera to film it all.
The Toyota One Hit Wonder has again has once again fostered enormous progression as Australia’s biggest skiing event. The athlete driven competition continues to support the development of tomorrow’s Winter Olympic champions as well as a spectacularly extreme feast above the snowline and will return even bigger and better next year.
Australia’s first AFP World Tour event saw the judges declaring Australia’s own Russ Henshaw’s triple cork 1440 enough to narrowly land him in front of New Zealand’s favorite Jossi Wells (2nd) and hometown hopeful Jordan Houghton (3rd). American heavy hitter Dane Tudor was edged into 4th place after qualifying in the top spot. Now the judging is handed over the public as the Toyota One Hit Wonder seeks to crown the People’s Choice champion.
The People’s Choice big air tricks were filmed on the same 95ft Charles Beckinsale built jump and lets the skiers choose their one single jump that they think will impress an online audience and ultimately win one of them the $5000 cash prize. The final ‘one hit’ big air tricks are online at www.onehitwonderevent.com/vote-win where voting is open until October 16.
“As public perception usually defers from what the judges generally look for, a handful of this year’s athletes have opted ‘one hit’ tricks that are slower, smoother spins with stylish grabs as opposed to a technically insane maneuver that would typically score well in front of a judging panel. Time will tell which game plan will pay off.” noted Event Director Tim Myers.
The tricks include;
- Jordan Houghton (AUS): Double cork 1080, high mute grab
- Olly Cain (AUS): Double flatspin, Japan grab
- Dane Tudor (USA): Cork 900, tail grab
- Russ Henshaw (AUS): Triple cork 1440, mute grab
- Anna Segal (AUS): 720, leading tail grab
- Bernie Rosow (USA): Switch 540, Cuban grab
- Jaeden Schneider-Clark (CAN): Switch 1080, stalefish grab
- Conrad Lucas (AUS): 900, tail grab
- Thomas Waddell (AUS): Double flatspin
Voters will be generously rewarded as each vote goes into the draw to win the 'Ultimate Winter Package' including return Jetstar flights for two to Japan staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel in Hakuba, plus brand new skis or snowboard from Salomon, some head-to-toe Mons Royale merino first layer clothing and film it all with the new GoCam waterproof wearable HD camera.
Jindabyne local Russell Henshaw beat a stacked field of invited international athletes on Saturday the 15th of September at Australia's first ever World Tour big air skiing event at Thredbo Alpine Resort.
The gold ranked event attracted big names like AJ Keppainen (FIN), Dane Tudor (USA), Jossi Wells (NZL) as well as the usual hometown heroes Jordan and Jesse Houghton. Though it was Henshaw who dug deep into his bag of tricks in the final round, including a triple cork 1440 - A trick only landed for the first time in Southern Hemisphere competition, again by Henshaw himself, on the first day of the Toyota One Hit Wonder 2012 event on
Tuesday - Holding off Kiwi Jossi Wells. Jordan Houghton from Jindabyne came in 3rd place whilst Dane Tudor rounded out the money in forth.
| Rank | Bib | Name | Jump 1 | Jump 2 | Jump 3 | Total |
| 1 | 11 | RUSS HENSHAW | 79.3 | 96.6 | 38.3 | 175.9 |
| 2 | 8 | JOSSI WELLS | 90 | 38 | 76 | 166 |
| 3 | 12 | JORDAN HOUGHTON | 76 | 85 | 83.6 | 161 |
| 4 | 6 | DANE TUDOR | 60 | 40 | 87 | 147 |
| 5 | 9 | BYRON WELLS | 55 | 73.3 | 65 | 138.6 |
| 6 | 4 | AJ KEMPPAINEN | 25 | 70 | 62.6 | 132.6 |
| 7 | 13 | JAEDEN SCHNIEDER CLARKE | 20 | 67.6 | 14 | 87.6 |
| 8 | 2 | JESSE HOUGHTON | 65 | 18.6 | 17.6 | 83.6 |
One of Australia’s biggest ski exports and future Olympic Gold hopeful for Sochi 2014, Russ Henshaw reigned supreme when he landed the first ever triple cork 1440 (four inverted rotations) on skis in the Southern Hemisphere.
Day one saw the original People’s Choice Big Air event kick off in stunning conditions at Thredbo Alpine Village, with world-class freeskiers performing their most impressive, crowd pleasing tricks off the biggest jump in the Southern Hemisphere built by Thredbo’s renowned park builder Charles Beckinsale.
International Salomon team athlete Dane Tudor (USA) and Jaeden Schneider Clarke (CAN) impressed the local crowd with their flawless style, while Thredbo ambassador and sole female competitor in the event Anna Segal landed 720 tail grabs.
Not to be outdone by their international counterparts, Jindabyne local, Salomon rider Jesse Houghton attempted a massive triple front flip which unfortunately resulted in his early retirement from the day’s competition, whilst 16-year-old youngster Thomas Waddell went big with double flat spins.
“I’ve never seen action like we did today in the Australian mountains. It was a great indication of what the younger riders in this sport can do. It’s the perfect environment for them to up-skill alongside the elite international competitors,” said Ramone Cooper of Ski and Snowboard Australia.
Spectators can expect a huge week of show stopping tricks and freeski progression as we head into the Gold AFP (Association of Freeski Professionals) judged Big Air event, which gives competitors the chance to add points to their overall AFP world tour ranking. The field includes a myriad of international stars including Finland’s AJ Kemppanien, as well as the battle of the brothers between Kiwi duo Jossi and Byron Wells up against local Jindabyne siblings Jordan and Jesse Houghton.
The People’s Choice online public voters also go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Prize’ worth over $10,000 including an all-expenses-paid holiday for two to Hakuba, Japan staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel, a complete Salomon ski or snowboard package and an all-new GoCam waterproof HD camera.
Saturday night will see the cash prizes awarded to the week’s winners at the Rekorderlig After Party at the Schuss Bar in Thredbo Village, where internationally renowned disco-house DJ’s Flight Facilities will bring together athletes, tobogganers and snow for the official closing party!
Spectators can expect the biggest week ever of Australian freeskiing, on and off the mountain, when the world’s best athletes descend on Thredbo Alpine Village for the Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under from Tuesday 11 September. Recently becoming Australia’s only gold ranked event on the AFP (Association of Freeskiing Professionals) World Tour, competitors will battle it out for a stake in the $20,000 prize purse in 2012.
This year the week-long jumping window will play host to three competition days including Wednesday’s AFP knockout final, giving competitors the chance to add points to their overall AFP world tour ranking. The field will include a myriad of international stars including Salomon team skiers Dane Tudor and Finland’s AJ Kemppanien. Currently sitting inside the top 10 AFP overall standings, Australian Russ Henshaw will be looking for a home town advantage to further edge himself towards the podium. American Colby West, Norwegian PK Hunder and Winter X Games medallist Jossi Wells will also shape up against Jindabyne brother combo Jordan and Jesse Houghton.
The top 10 performers will then advance to Thursday’s original People’s Choice Big Air event, where the public will vote online for their favorite crowd-pleasing trick. Voters also go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Prize’ worth over $10,000 including an all-expenses-paid holiday for two to Hakuba, Japan staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel, a complete Salomon ski or snowboard package and an all new GoCam waterproof HD camera.
On Friday, the Toyota One Hit Wonder will team up with The Beach Burrito Company and Skiers Junction to celebrate Mexican Mountain Mayhem. Invited skiers and snowboarders will don moustaches and converge on the Charles Beckinsale designed mini park to win cash for things like “wearing the tightest denim”. Following competition, the fun will continue in the village with Poolside Apres at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel before a screening of White Silk Road: Snowboarding in Afghanistan and the Southern Hemisphere premiere of the new Red Bull Media House ski movie epic WE: A Collection of Individuals.
The week will wrap up on Saturday night with our official cider sponsor Rekorderlig hosting the Rekorderlig After Party at the Schuss Bar in Thredbo Village, where internationally renowned disco-house DJ’s Flight Facilities will bring together athletes, tobogganers and snow goers for the official closing party!
Event Director, Tim Myers, is tickled pink about the quality of competition set to go down this year. “Out of the four years of the Toyota One Hit Wonder, this is undoubtedly the hottest freeski line up that the Australian mountains have ever seen. It’s going to be a huge week of progression from these future Olympians.”
Setting the bar for Australian freesking, the Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under has been announced as the first ever Australian event to be ranked on the international AFP (Association of Freeskiing Professionals) world tour, as the Big Air event gets set to return to Thredbo in the NSW Snowy Mountains from September 11th to 15th.
“This event provides our talented Australian snowsports athletes a great opportunity to compete alongside the world’s best freeskiers. With several of our athletes medal hopefuls for the 2014 Sochi Games and others vying for selection, the Toyota One Hit is the perfect platform for our contenders to hone their skills and make a mark on world rankings." says Ramone Cooper of Ski and Snowboard Australia.
This year the week-long jumping window will play host to three competition days, including a knockout final judged by a panel of AFP head judges, giving competitors the chance to add points to their overall AFP world tour ranking. The original people’s choice event will again return, where the top ten skiers from the previous day will be invited back for the public to decide their favorite crowd-pleasing trick via an online vote. With over $20,000 in the prize purse, expect some mind-melting acrobatics off the 100 foot jump, constructed by world renowned terrain park builder and Thredbo resident, Charles Beckinsale.
Public voters also go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Prize’ worth over $10,000, including an all-expenses-paid holiday for two to Hakuba Japan staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel, a complete Salomon ski or snowboard package and an all new GoCam wearable waterproof HD camera.
Details of the third day of competition are scarce at this stage, though there is speculation that in typical alpine-spring-fling-fashion; wigs, denim and/or burrito outfits will be mandatory for all invited skiers and snowboarders. No doubt more information will become available closer to the date.
Event Director, Tim Myers, envisions that 2012 will deliver another level of awe-inspiring big air action to the world. “I’m very proud that what started four years ago as an athlete-driven grassroots event is now the first Australian event recognized and sanctioned by the international governing freeskiing body. This is a milestone that could not have been achieved without the support and effort of the sponsors and event crew, the majority of whom are locals here in the Snowy Mountains and have been involved since the beginning.”
Last year, Gus Kenworthy from Telluride, Colorado was crowned the 2011 winner against the likes of free-ski superstars; defending 2010 champion Bobby Brown, AFP champion Jossi Wells and Joss Christensen, as well as Salomon Australia teammates and brother combo Jordan & Jesse Houghton. The 2011 event will be highlighted as part of a one hour television special called Generation Snow which will be broadcast on Channel Nine, July 22 at 1.30pm.
With 10 mind-blowing tricks to vote for and $10,000 on the line, it was never going to be easy for the public to make their choice. Yet as thousands of votes came streaming in from all corners of the globe, one clear winner emerged as the 2011 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under Champion – 19 year old Gus Kenworthy from Telluride in Colorado, USA.
“The One Hit Wonder was one of the sickest contests that I've ever been a part of. There were a lot of heavy hitters in attendance and it probably could have gone a few different ways, but I'm stoked that in the end my dub 14 took the win. I can't wait for next year and thank you to everybody who voted for me!”
Kenworthy pipped the likes of free-ski superstars; 2010 defending champion Bobby Brown, Jossi Wells and Joe Schuster, as well as Salomon Australia teammates and brother combo Jordan & Jesse Houghton. Had he landed his flawless double cork 1440 tail grab in front of a panel of judges, it probably would have garnered the same result.
Jindabyne local, Jesse Houghton also bagged the NIXON Peer Performance Award – a $659 NIXON 51-30 watch – as voted by his fellow competitors after unleashing a myriad of both technical and crowd pleasing tricks throughout the week.
Not to be outdone were the voting members of the public, who each went into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’ worth over $10,000. The lucky winner, Ellen Mowbray from southwest New South Wales has won for herself and a friend an all-expenses-paid holiday to Hakuba Japan, staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel, a complete Salomon ski or snowboard package, Von Zipper eyewear, plus a GE DV1 HD Waterproof & Shockproof Video Camera to film the entire trip.
The Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under and Thredbo Resort yet again played host to a world class big-air event thanks to first-class sponsors and the world’s ballsiest contenders. The Charles Beckinsale built 100 foot jump feature was the biggest single piece of snow construction in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Three years ago this event was just an excuse to build a big jump… Today, nothing has changed,” says Event Director Tim Myers. “I think the reason it works so well is because everyone on the team, from the event coordinators, the marketing team, the camera crew and even the work experience kid, grew up on snow and knows their way around the mountains. In 2012 I don’t know if we can keep building this thing bigger, but we will be keeping it fun.”
With the final curtain call on an awe-inspiring week of big-air style at Thredbo Resort, the competing athletes breathed a collective sigh of relief as the final day of shooting wrapped and there was only a Schuss Bar after party left to conquer.
During the week-long event we saw tricks from some of the world’s best freeskiers with only a few casualties - Chris Laker sustaining a shoulder injury after a triple cork attempt on day two and Elias Ambuhl still lost over the Tasman Sea.
The athletes have all selected their final ‘One Hit’ tricks including;
- double cork 1440 tail grab by Gus Kenworthy (USA),
- switch double cork 1080 safety to truck driver by Jossi Wells (NZL),
- double cork 1080 with a tweaked mute grab by Chris Laker (USA) before his injury,
- switch 1260 mute to tail grab by Joss Christensen (USA),
- cork 900 tail grab by Jerome Lambert (FRA),
- switch double cork 1440 by Bobby Brown (USA),
- double cork 1260 shifty by Jordon Houghton (NSW),
- 720 mute grab by Anna Segal (VIC),
- switch double 1440 mute grab by Joe Schuster (CAN),
- double front flip superman by youngster Jesse Houghton (NSW).
Just as we predicted Aussie Anna Segal was on point against the guys, landing her first ever 900 and stepping up her ambition with every hit over the monster jump.
However, it was Jesse Houghton who bagged the NIXON Peer Performance Award, presented at the after party as voted by his fellow competitors. The consensus among the crew was that the youngest competitor left his quiet personality in the boot room when he guinea-pigged the jump on the first day, and continued to unleash a myriad of both technical and crowd pleasing tricks throughout the week.
“Last year I said it was the best jump I’d ever hit, but this year’s 100-footer killed it. I’m stoked to be voted rider of the week by the best in our sport - it’s a pretty big honor,” said Jesse.
Jesse takes home a $659 NIXON 51-30 watch, but is still in contention for the major cash prize.
It’s now up to YOU, the public, to get online and VOTE for your single favorite athlete’s trick. The athlete with most votes will take home $10,000 in cash - the biggest first place prize on the Australian Alpine event calendar.
And what’s better than awarding someone else the grand prize? Each member of the public who votes will also go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’ worth over $10,000. This includes an all-expenses-paid holiday for two to Hakuba Japan, staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel, a complete Salomon ski or snowboard package, Von Zipper eyewear, plus a GE DV1 HD Waterproof & Shockproof Video Camera to film the entire trip.
No one but Al Roker could have predicted better conditions to get down and dirty in Thredbo on day three. When the athletes turned up under breathless sunny skies, they all knew this might be their last chance to put themselves in the direct path of the $10,000 cash. It was now or never and it was time to throw down.
Progression was the word of the day with riders collecting new tricks for their bag of goodies. Defying all means of comprehension, these freeskiers were in their element and pushing boundaries like their lives depended on it.
Gus Kenworthy left no opportunity untouched. Having hit the jump well into yesterday’s late afternoon, today he showed the world why he is the current AFP overall champ, with effortless switch double cork 1440’s amidst a flurry of grabs.
We saw switch 1260 mute grabs from Canadian Joe Shouster, big cork 720’s from Frenchman Jerome Lambert and some massive rodeo 5 safety grabs from NZ hero, Jossi Wells.
Victorian Anna Segal gave us true insight into why she is the only female finalist in this event. Not only going bigger with every hit, from 3’s to 5’s and then landing her first ever 900, what loomed large yesterday was conquered and dominated today. She was our unstoppable Aussie and promising Sochi Olympic gold medalist.
It didn’t stop there as 2010 AFP overall champ and Salomon team rider Bobby Brown made us question our own eyesight and replay the take again and again. Stomping a switch right 1260 mute grab for the second time ever, he left the camera crew and his fellow athletes lost for words. “Russ Henshaw dared me... enough said, it was time to mix it up and nail this trick,” Bobby said.
18-year-old Jesse Houghton played camera favourite again, sending his double front flip superman well into the carpark.
Jesse explained his game plan, “So far I’ve been trying to stomp both a technical trick as well as the crowd pleaser. It’s hard to know what the public are going to be looking for when it comes to voting.”
From Sept 12, you, the public, have three weeks to vote online at www.onehitwonderevent.com for your single favorite big-air trick. You will go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’ worth over $10,000, and the winning athlete with the most votes will take home $10,000 in cold hard cash, the biggest first place prize on the Australian Alpine event calendar.
With day one swept under the rug due to weather, the finalists could hardly be contained as overnight the rain turned to snow and they woke to a bluebird day at Thredbo Resort, and a perfectly groomed, seen-to-be-believed jump.
As the athletes stood at the base and visualised their first hit off the 100-foot, four-storey-high Charles Beckinsale-built behemoth, there was an audible murmur of nervous chatter and apprehension.
With speed checks underway and just a few warm ups on the 65-ft practice jump, the athletes wasted no time getting to work on producing some of the world’s most aesthetically pleasing tricks for the cameras.
Five invited young guns from Skiers Junction, all aged 15, joined in the warm up session alongside their local and international heroes who no doubt provided inspiration for Australia’s future freeskiers. The standout of the group was junior Salomon team rider, Ollie Immurs with his clean grabs and smooth style.
Local Jindabyne crowd-pleaser, Jesse Houghton launched into a dramatic, laid-out front flip and then later a double cork 1080 mute grab. Older brother and fellow Salmon team rider, Jordan Houghton equally impressed with his double cork 1080 high mute grab.
2010 reigning champion, Bobby Brown nailed the trick-of-the-day with a switch double cork, 1440 mute grab to Japan.
Day two was an unfortunate early end for Chris Laker (US), who came unstuck as he attempted a triple cork and was taken down the mountain with a serious shoulder injury.
Yet it was Anna Segal - the only female competitor in the competition and Australia’s freesking princess - who was the crowd fave, hitting the massive jump with a 360 mute grab to huge applause from spectators.
“The perfect conditions today meant we could all get out there and throw down our best...there is no doubt there is a lot more to come from all the riders throughout the next couple of days,” said Anna.
Jordon Houghton revealed his feelings on first arriving at the jump site. “The jump is massive. No one really wants to go first but we all thought my brother Jesse being the youngest, could handle it. And he did.”
The Toyota One Hit Wonder crew are teaming up with the Skiers Junction to invite 5 of their junior athletes up to Thredbo to hang out with the big boys on the 6th and 7th of Sept.
Ryan Cooke, Ollie Immurs, Harrison Mcinnes, Thomas Weddall and Ryley Lucas, all aged 15 will have a session on the 65ft sideshow stepover jump while the likes of Jossi Wells, Bobby Brown, Gus Kenworthy, Joss Christensen and more, provide some inspiration on the neighbouring 95ft main event jump.
Skiers Junction is committed to skiing and the development of all of our Australian athletes. "The juniors are super stoked to hang-out with some of the worlds best pro's right here in our backyard" says Skiers Junction founder Nick Franklin-Jones. "An opportunity like this for them to gain tips from like-minded athletes will no doubt inspire them to continue to further progress their skiing."
The Skiers Junction vision is see skiing prosper and continue to evolve. Watching events like the Toyota One Hit Wonder and the progression of our sport is both inspiring and encouraging. "We hope to direct and nurture Athletes towards their true and full potential without losing focus on where our discipline began. Progression starts with well-maintained progressive Park features, enthusiastic skiers, and a free mind where creativity and boundaries are not hindered by event ‘regulations’ but rather, the extent of a skier’s will and imagination!"
With the finishing touches being put on the gargantuan pile of snow that will form the biggest jump in the world right now, the best skiers on the planet are beginning to clear Australian customs en route to take on the best local talent in Thredbo for the most anticipated big-air event on the Australian skiing calendar.
After a month long audition process, the following finalists will have from the 6th-10th of September to land their single best big-air trick on the 100ft Charles Beckinsale built jump. The winner, as voted by the public, will talk home $10,000.
Bobby Brown (USA)
Elias Ambuhl (SWI)
Jossi Wells (NZL)
Gus Kenworthy (USA)
Joe Schuster (CAN)
Chris Laker (USA)
Anna Segal (VIC)
Jesse Houghton (NSW)
Jordan Houghton (NSW)
Joss Christensen (USA)
Jerome Lambert (FRA)
Dhanu Sherpa (NSW)
In a first for the Toyota One Hit Wonder, Winter X Games gold medalist and current slope-style World Champion, Melbournian Anna Segal, will face up against the men, showing off her prowess as Australia’s distinguished princess on the international contest circuit.
“I know Jordan was feeling pretty confident until he found out that Anna is in the mix, but there is no reason she can’t step it up and throw down with the guys. I’ve got no doubt her style and finesse will impress the public voters,” says Event Director, Tim Myers.
After the finalists have gone head-to-head in the monster jump, a virtual grandstand, made up of anyone connected to the Internet, will then have three weeks to vote online at www.onehitwonderevent.com for their single favorite big-air trick to take home $10,000, the biggest first place prize on the Australian events calendar.
Each member of the public who votes will also go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’ worth over $10,000. This includes an all-expenses-paid holiday for two to Hakuba Japan, staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel, a complete Salomon ski or snowboard package, Von Zipper eyewear, plus a GE DV1 HD Waterproof & Shockproof Video Camera to film the trip.
As well as the people’s choice champion, the athletes themselves will vote at the end of the week to decide the NIXON peer performance award, who will take home a $600 NIXON 51-30 watch, to be awarded at the Schuss Bar after party on Saturday the 10th of September.
Ten days out from the start of the 2011 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under, Charles Beckinsale and his team have finished the build of the main jump above the Cruiser chairlift at the top of Thredbo Resort.
"Its 95ft from lip to knuckle..." Charles adds "the take off is 28 degrees and the landing is 32 degrees so I'm confident it will match up well. We will cut the sides of the deck closer to the event and put a 60ft stepover to the left of the main jump. I'm pretty excited. The jump will ride big..."
Anyone who has recently spied the huge pile of snow above the Thredbo Resort Cruiser chairlift may have been left wondering what it is for, or even, as previously suggested if Thredbo's attempt to get a headstart on the 2012 season will 
survive the summer temperatures. Here is roughly what resident snow-mover Charles Beckinsale plans to do with it...
With Salomon team rider Bobby Brown returning from Colorado to defend his title, and the likes of Elias Ambuhl, Gus Kenworthy, Jossi Wells and an unannounced backup of strong international and Australian skiers to challenge him, this pile of snow is likely to be put to good use in this year’s Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under event.
World-class athletes Elias Ambuhl, Bobby Brown, Gus Kenworthy and Jossi Wells will be competing in this year’s Toyota One Hit Wonder Downunder Event writes Powderhound's Christie Dowling. The mountains of Thredbo will be ringing with the squeals of adolescent girls and the oohs of ungainly punters as these guys take on our local talent, bringing a level of competition to rival any international event…
In 2010 Bobby Brown was the first skier to win double gold during a Winter X Games competition, taking out both the big air and slopestyle events. Placing second at the inaugural European Winter X Games, topping the AFP slopestyle rankings and being nominated for an ESPY obviously wasn’t enough for this Breckenridge local, he had to take out the One Hit Wonder Downunder as well. No doubt he’ll be thirsty to repeat this performance in 2011.
To celebrate the 2011 snow season, you could be hitting the slopes with a top of the range ski and snowboard setup worth $5000.
Go to www.tensport.com.au/rav4 before the 21st of August to enter.
Recently premiering on Channel Nine in a one hour exclusive, Australia’s most watched big-air competition, the Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under is returning to the slopes of Thredbo with the "Audition" stage launched today.
International and local skiers are invited to capture and submit online their best ‘one-hit’ tricks, before the 20th of August for their chance to compete as part of the final 16 at Thredbo Resort from the 6th – 10th of September on the Charles Beckinsale built park feature.
This is a totally unique big-air skiing event whereby you, the people, decide the winner. “A format that is unrivalled worldwide, probably, except by ‘Idol’” says Event Director, Tim Myers. After the finalists have gone head to head in the monster jump, a virtual grandstand, made up of anyone connected to the Internet, will then have three weeks to vote online at www.onehitwonderevent.com for their single favorite big-air trick to take home $10,000 in cash.
“Now in its third year, the Toyota One Hit Wonder event has made its mark as Australia’s best showcase of skiing talent, and in 2011, competitors and spectators should expect a new level of trickery amongst the gum trees” says Myers.
Each member of the public who votes will also go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’ worth over $10,000. This includes an all-expenses-paid holiday for two to Hakuba Japan, staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel, a complete Salomon ski or snowboard package, Von Zipper eyewear, plus a GE DV1 HD Waterproof & Shockproof Video Camera to film the trip.
In 2010, international ski superstar Bobby Brown from Breckenridge Colorado won the peoples vote. “The jump was one of the best I’ve hit and the competition format made for a very fun week, Thredbo did an amazing job” says Brown, who when asked if he would be defending his title in 2011, replied “my plane ticket is already booked.”
As well as the publicly voted champion, the athletes themselves will vote at the end of the week to decide the most impressive peer performance to be awarded at the Thredbo Village after party on the 10th of September.
To audition for The Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under Event, skiers must either email a downloadable high-quality video link (such as yousendit.com) to auditions@onehitwonderevent.com or upload it to vimeo.com themselves and email the link to auditions@onehitwonderevent.com by the 20th of August.
This Sunday 24th in a sexy new time-slot 1PM NSW, QLD, SA, WA, NT / 2PM VIC & TAS / 12:30PM Imparja, in the biggest event the Snowy Mountains has seen this year, the Nine Network will feature a special, 60 minute, presentation of the Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under and the subsequent overseas winter seasons featuring the countries best skiers and snowboarders. Never before has a local alpine production of this magnitude been broadcast on Australian television screens.
Viewers will get a taste for the incredible progression of the events’ elite competitors, as international ski superstar Bobby Brown, Kiwi Byron Wells, and current contender on the world stage, McRae Williams, throw down at Thredbo Resort alongside Australia’s own Charlie Timmins, Ryan Tiene, Jordan Houghton and Billabong rider, Robbie Walker.
The program then embarks on a powder-fuelled international journey, following Australia’s most hardcore snow riders. Through high definition camera angles and follow-cam shots, witness their dedication and passion for the art of sliding on white stuff.
• Australian professional snowboarder, Clint Allan, ponders one of life’s difficult questions – Heli vs Cat snowboarding in British Columbia, Canada;
• Australia’s best terrain park builder and pro snowboarder, Charles Beckinsale rips through Whistler’s terrain park, which he built;
• Ex World Cup Champion & three time Olympian, Steve Lee, returns to the land of the rising sun, Japan, where he rose to World Cup glory with his now ripping daughter in tow;
• Australia’s fastest skiers Jono Brauer, and Craig Branch, retire from competition after the Vancouver Olympics and treat themselves to a bigger challenge – Alaska;
• Warren Miller athlete and Sydney-based freestyle skier, Chris Booth, joins forces with distinguished cameraman Rob Norman and collides with big mountains and even bigger personalities across the globe - from Mt Cook's Aoraki region to The People's Republic of Macedonia; and
• Winter X Games gold medalist and current slope-style world Champion, Anna Segal, shows off her prowess as Melbourne’s hardened princess on the international contest circuit, jaunting across Europe and the Americas with the likes of Jindabyne wunderkind Russ Henshaw.
The visually spectacular high definition footage has produced an international standard of cinematography that sets the One Hit Wonder event apart from anything the Australian Snowy Mountains has seen before.
All eyes are on the snow this week, writes Rachael Oakes-Ash, with Australian resorts experiencing one hell of a winter storm. Perisher reported 47 centimetres in 24 hours, Charlotte Pass measured 60 centimetres, Thredbo has had over 85 centimetres this week, as has Hotham. And the predicted metre of snow in a week is on target after another pounding blizzard overnight.
New Zealand has also finally scored the goods, bringing a smile to the furrowed brows of a snow industry that thought Mother Nature had forgotten them this year. Word on the streets is the Canterbury region will get the best of the storm, with more than two metres predicted for Temple Basin in the next seven days.
Then there was 'that announcement'. Australia's chances for medals at the Winter Olympics got a whole lot bigger when the International Olympic Committee finally included skier slopestyle and snowboard slopestyle for Sochi 2014. The Twitterverse shook this week from the collective sigh of relief from freestyle pro athletes around the globe, bonded by a love of the terrain park who have, until now, been kept in the Olympic dark.
What's the big deal you may ask? Well, for Australia it means the chance for serious podium placement, as two of the world's top-five slopestyle athletes are home-grown.
Read the full article and have the chance to win a Contour HD Helmet Cam.
Announcing The Nine Network's feature Presentation of the Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under:
First-of-its-kind Australian ski & snowboard production to be aired in exclusive program on Channel 9.
This coming July, the Nine Network will feature a special, 60 minute, presentation of the Toyota ‘One Hit Wonder Down Under’ event and the subsequent overseas winter seasons featuring Australia’s best skiers and snowboarders.
Never before has a local alpine production of this magnitude been broadcast on Australian television screens. Dubbed “Australia’s own ‘Warren Miller’”, by Sydney Morning Herald and The Age ski journalist, Rachael Oakes-Ash; Producer and Event Director, Tim Myers, takes viewers on a worldwide quest, showcasing the epic adventures and mind-blowing skill of our Aussie winter athletes in a collaborative effort exclusively filmed for Australian television.
The show kicks off with a recap of the 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder, filmed at Thredbo Resort In a totally unique, big-air event format that is unrivalled worldwide. International and Australian competitors are selected from a host of audition videos featuring their best ‘one-hit’ trick. The top 16 entrants then go head to head over a week in September, demonstrating their best tricks off a 100-foot jump, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Viewers will get a taste for the incredible progression of the events’ elite competitors, as international ski superstar Bobby Brown, Kiwi Byron Wells, and current contender on the world stage, McRae Williams, throw down alongside Australia’s own Charlie Timmins, Ryan Tiene, Jordan Houghton and Billabong rider, Robbie Walker.
The program then embarks on a powder-fuelled international journey, following Australia’s most hardcore snow riders. Through high definition camera angles and follow-cam shots, witness their dedication and passion for the art of sliding on white stuff.
- Australian professional snowboarder, Clint Allen, ponders one of life’s difficult questions – Heli vs Cat snowboarding in British Columbia, Canada;
- Australia’s best terrain park builder and pro snowboarder, Charles Beckinsale rips through Whistler’s terrain park, which he built;
- Ex World Cup Champion & three time Olympian, Steve Lee, returns to the land of the rising sun, Japan, where he rose to World Cup glory with his now ripping daughter in tow;
- Australia’s fastest skiers Jono Brauer, and Craig Branch, retire from competition after the Vancouver Olympics and treat themselves to a bigger challenge – Alaska;
- Warren Miller athlete and Sydney-based freestyle skier, Chris Booth, joins forces with distinguished cameraman Rob Norman and collides with big mountains and even bigger personalities across the globe - from Mt Cook's Aoraki region to The People's Republic of Macedonia; and
- Winter X Games gold medalist and current slope-style world Champion, Anna Segal, shows off her prowess as Melbourne’s hardened princess on the international contest circuit, jaunting across Europe and the Americas with the likes of Jindabyne wunderkind Russ Henshaw.
Producer and Event Director Myers, is no stranger to the world of elite skiing and filming himself, with his own cameo appearance in the latest Warren Miller flick, ‘Wintervention’ - demonstrating his unrivalled ability to both perform in front of the camera, as well as behind it. Myers and fellow principal cameraman, Rob Norman, have spent years following riders over 100 foot jumps, proving just how far the duo are able to go to get the ‘the shot’.
“It’s a fun job that is impossible to get insurance for, though with 1 to his 61, I have to refute the Warren Miller comparison” says Myers.
The visually spectacular high definition footage has produced an international standard of cinematography that sets the One Hit Wonder event apart from anything the Australian Snowy Mountains has seen before.
The Nine Network special presentation of the Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under will feature on July 24th at 2pm.
Q. Canada and the United States just had an amazing late season with deep powder skiing in April. Does this mean I will be getting face shots down the Schuss in Thredbo come October?
The Weather Channel's Ken Heatley turns weather forecasting into an exact science by telling you without a doubt when it will snow, how many flakes, and the quality of the face shots you'll get this year over at his "Dummies Guide" on Powderhound. Seriously, he's that good, or your money back.
*DISCLAIMER: Don't take the internet too seriously. No one is giving your money back.
La Nina, take a bow, writes Rachael Oakes-Ash. Thanks to the weather pattern that is known for precipitation, the ski fields of America's North West received a right royal pounding this winter just gone.
Snowbird in Utah copped over 18 metres of snow in their best season on record. Breckenridge and Vail in Colorado broke their records too with Vail having the best season in 10 years. Squaw Valley in California hit the 18-metre-plus mark, another record breaking figure, and Whistler Blackcomb in Canada recorded it's second snowiest winter on record.
The optimist in me thinks snow is like a new release movie, it opens in North America first and presents itself in all it's red carpet glory to Australia second. With that delusional logic I am convinced Australia and New Zealand are in for their own pounding come winter time with tales of broken snow records and powder face shots as early as June.
Read the rest of Rachael's words and blow an optic nerve over here...
Giving you too much detail would give the game away, writes Tess Cook, but we can tell you Tim Myers spent a fruitful couple of weeks in Canada creating footage for an upcoming TV project...Besting a tough effort from reigning champ Bobby Brown, rookie Alex Schlopy won Winter X men's ski Big Air Saturday night writes John Symms and Megan Michelson. Brown took second. Sammy Carlson got the bronze, his second medal of the day after winning men's Slope earlier.
Schlopy earned a score of 92 with a switch double cork 14 and a double cork 16, a trick he'd never done before the contest. "Once you get up top, you're just hanging there and stuff kind of just happens," said Schlopy. "I saw a couple people try that 16 and I just had to try it, too. And it worked out."
Brown's score of 89 left him in the second spot. After battling through an injury from the men's Slope earlier in the day, he was completely satisfied with his silver. "I hurt myself at Dew Tour in Vermont and it flared up again," Brown said. "But I felt good during the Big Air. I'm happy to be on the podium with these two guys." The injury was in a similar area to a broken pelvis that Brown sustained last March while filming in Idaho.
Sammy Carlson's score of 87, good enough for the bronze, might have been much higher if the triple flip that he was rumored to be thinking about had come out. "Bobby and I have both stomped triples before, but they were on much bigger jumps," said Carlson. "I was warming up for it, but I kept slipping on the takeoff. It was icy out, so I couldn't get a solid set."
Russ Henshaw had to withdraw from the contest after he injured himself attempting a switch triple rodeo 12 in training, giving the rest of the competitors pause when considering their own triple attempts. "I think everyone checked that out and thought, 'Man, I don't know if it's going to be big enough,'" Brown said. "I know we all hope that Russ is going to be okay."
Nineteen hours. That's how long it took Bobby Brown to vault from skier to superstar last January. It wasn't just that he became the first skier to win two gold medals at the same Winter X Games, something not Tanner Hall, Jon Olsson, Candide Thovex or any other freeskiing legend had achieved. It was how he did it, writes Devon O'Neil. Read the full story here.
Unlike last year, 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder champion, Bobby Brown is the man to beat at Winter X 15. Though with Australia's Russell Henshaw qualifying first heading into the Winter X 15 Slopestyle finals, Brown is set to have a fight on his hands. Watch the ESPN Winter X Games LIVE stream here and be sure to catch fellow Aussie's Anna Segal, Torah Bright, Scott Kneller, Chumpy and Holly Crawford alongside Russ.
The world's top free skiing talent has battled it out in France for the 2011 edition of Red Bull Linecatcher, the annual adrenaline-pumping backcountry freestyle ski course. Amongst an impressive line-up of pro-skiers from across the globe, 23 year-old Chris Booth of Cronulla, NSW waved the flag for Australia and ranked an impressive fifth place in the competition.
Beneath blue sunny skies and on tricky powder snow in Vars-la Forêt Blanche, homegrown talent Booth fared well but it was 18 year-old Canadian Sean Pettit's moment as he was crowned winner. From his first run, Pettit went straight on the attack with a perfectly landed double cliff drop, before hitting one of the ten shaped kickers on the course to spin a technical cork seven, and finishing with a huge 360 degree turn.
With a well-deserved score of 9.5 out of 10 from the judges, Pettit was already close to first place, but with two more runs to follow, and even after falling on his second, he gained an even higher score of 9.7. This was thanks to a 360 between the two cliffs at the start of the course, followed by a misty 720 and a backflip.
A jubilant Pettit declared: "It was a very close contest. I really went for it on my last run as I knew I wasn't safe! There were a lot of top riders today."
Final ranking – Red Bull Linecatcher 2011
1. Sean Pettit (CAN)
2. Markus Eder (ITA)
3. Tim Durtschi (USA)
4. Sage Cattabriga-Alosa (USA)
5. Chris Booth (AUS)
6. Leo Taillefer (FRA)
7. Wiley Miller (USA)
8. JP Auclair (CAN)
9. Richard Permin (FRA)
10. Mathieu Imbert (FRA)
11. Nicolas Vuignier (SUI)
12. Anthony Boronowski (CAN)
13. Chris Benchetler (USA)
14. Bene Mayr (GER)
15. Rory Bushfield (CAN)
“Hey knuckle dragger, pull your pants up, and get off your arse for once!”
“Screw you two plank w*nker!"
This is one of the politer exchanges that have occurred between skiers and snowboarders over the last 20 odd years writes Sam Baldwin. It all started in the haze of the 1960s when some American dude named Sherman Poppen of Michigan, conceived the idea of riding a single board down the slopes after seeing his daughter balancing on a lone ski in the back garden.
From the depths of his tool shed, Poppen created the “Snurfer”, a binding-less board of plywood, with a leash attached to the front, to which the rider held onto as he rode the snow. He sold the idea to a manufacturer, and half a million Snurfers left the shelves in the 60s and early 70s, giving rise to a new form of snow sport. Many riders including the now legendary Tom Sims and Jake Burton devoted themselves to the development of this new practice, pouring new ideas and technologies into the design and construction of boards and bindings, eventually giving rise to the snowboards that we ride today.
However, in those early days, skiing was still very much an elitist sport. Seen as expensive, and catering largely to the more wealthy citizens, resorts weren’t about to let this new, dangerous craze into their exclusive runs. The young snowboarding crowd just didn’t fit the demographic that the resorts or their skiing customers wanted to see on their slopes.
Read the full history lesson here...
Now, I found it to be a pretty accurate account of the evolution of two sports and a dying feud. I would however, like to footnote Balwin’s bottom line by saying that while almost certainly "young skiers and snowboarders today don’t care whether you ride one plank or two," it is a shame that these sentiments are not shared by apparently the oldest snowboarder, Jake Burton, who has seemingly been unable to mature his attitude towards skiing since the 80’s.
Remember the name McRae Williams, I know I will writes Tess Cook. First halfpipe, now slopestyle; the International Ski Federation (FIS) announced today that they will be adding ski slopestyle to the 2011 FIS World Championships writes Steve Hemphill of Freeskier. Although it may raise some controversy amongst “core” skiers, the reality is the addition of slope to FIS is a big stride in getting slopestyle closer to becoming an olympic event.
The press release says, “For the Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships 2011 in Deer Valley (USA) and La Molina (SPA), respectively, the Council confirmed the addition of slopestyle to the program. The final schedules for both Championships will be published on the FIS website shortly.”
It is unclear if this action will have any impact on the IOC’s decision to add slopestyle to the olympics along with halfpipe.
I love a good photo writes Rachael Oakes-Ash. One that evokes a mood and throws you back to the very place the image was taken. I spend my time online face-stalking Canadian Jordan Manley. Why? Because his photos make me cry, they're that good. His move to the world of moving images is making me sob with an emotive webisode of La Grave.
I think Jordan, together with Salomon Freeski, are changing the shape and format of skiing footage. Long gone are the days of simple ski porn, of blokes in bright colours shredding powder for the camera and girls in hot tubs. Snow film cinematographers have finally found the narrative arc.
Miss Snow It All has asked Australia's budding Jordan Manleys to submit their favourite photo from the Winter just gone and is giving you the chance to vote and win on her final blog of the season.
In an “Idol-esque” conclusion to the most watched skiing and snowboarding event in Australia, Salomon International Team freeskier Bobby Brown and South Coast local snowboarder Clint Allan have emerged as the people’s choice winners of the 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under.
Three weeks after 16 of some of the worlds most talented skiers and snowboarders were invited to showcase their best ‘one hit’ for the cameras, over 3000 public votes from around the world were counted to crown two of the most progressive big air tricks seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
Allan, 23, won the public vote with a backside double corked 1080 on the first day of jumping the 90 foot step-over feature, right before landing short a few jumps later. The impact was so severe he broke both his ankles, ending his season. “It almost makes breaking both my legs worthwhile… Almost”, Allan quipped from his wheelchair. “I’ll probably spend the money on a bit of rehab so I can get back on a board as soon as possible. I can’t wait to start jumping again.”
Brown, 19 from Breckenridge, Colorado, unleashed his Winter X-Games gold medal winning switch double misty 1260 to convincingly claim the skiers title. “I’m so stoked to have won The Toyota One Hit Wonder. Coming out to Australia and competing in this event was an amazing experience. I loved the competition format and the jump was mind blowing”, said Brown, who also hinted he’d love to return to Thredbo in 2011 to defend his title.
Everyone who voted in the Toyota One Hit Wonder event was in the running to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’ prize. Congratulations goes out to Simon Sellers from Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, who has won an all-expenses-paid holiday to Niseko Japan for two thanks to DEEP POWDER TOURS Ski Holidays, an all-inclusive weekend for two at Thredbo in 2011, staying at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, plus a Salomon ski and snowboard equipment package. Total package is valued at more than $10,000.
With the Toyota One Hit Wonder now wrapped up in 2010, the event organisers are already looking towards 2011. “We held our breath numerous times this year as the athletes threw caution to the wind, literally, as strong gusts throughout the week threatened the possibility of anyone hitting such a huge jump”, said Event Director Tim Myers “but these guys are truly calculating when flying through 100+ foot of air space. The strength of the athletes, along with the open-minds at Toyota made it hugely successful.”
Vote to win the Ultimate Winter Package. One lucky voter will be randomly drawn after voting closes on the 10th of October to take the lot!
An all expenses paid DEEP POWDER TOURS
holiday for two to Niseko, Japan:
Return economy airfares via Sapporo ex SYD, MEL, BNE, ADL or PER,
7 nights accommodation at the Pension lodge
(including breakfast daily (twin share),
6 day All Mountain lift pass,
Return coach airport transfers Chitose to Niseko ski resort,
Holiday support from DEEP POWDER TOURS Niseko office.
An all expenses paid weekend for two to Thredbo,
staying at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel in 2011:
2 nights bed & breakfast,
2 day lift & lesson passes,
2 day hire of skis, sticks, boots or snowboard & boots.
AND a complete Salomon ski and snowboard kit:
Tornado Ti ski, Impact 9 boots, & Patrol poles - $2237;
The Salomon X-Wing Tornado Ti ski is among the most well-balanced ski in the X-Wing series. Based around a wood core, it is designed for all-mountain, high performance skiers favoring carving performance and stability.
Sanchez snowboard, Dialogue boots, & Code bindings – $1377
Sanchez knocks the wrinkles and kinks right out of freshly laundered rails with its easy flexing twin shape. Full woodcore, radial sidecut, centered stance and twin shape.
Seriously, what more could you want. Watch the tricks and vote for the skier and snowboarder that you think deserves the 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under crown and cash.
We didn't think it would happen this year, but on the last possible day of the event window, the athletes got a third day of jumping… And what a day it was.
The wind hadn’t completely vanished but the usual suspects weren’t deterred. Though by ‘usual suspects’ I mean anyone that wasn’t injured – This beast has claimed more than its fair share of broken bones and torn ligaments this week. Not one of the aforementioned was our youngest invited athlete, 17 year old Jesse Houghton, who had benchwarmers gapping with respect for his myriad of flat 9’s, 10’s, 12’s, and a dub tuck front flip (which I personally have been waiting all week to see).
Not much information is known about the after party apart from the $2,000 bar tab ran out in 1.5 hours and Park City’s McRae Williams was voted by his peers the ‘Red Bull Rider’s Choice’ and is $1,000 richer (which might buy him a medium sized snack at Sydney airport on his way back to America). Matty from Nine22 Apparel threw out some freebies to the hungry (and thirsty) crowd before things started to get hazy.
Keep an eye out for each riders trick video to go online shortly so that you can have your say and vote for the 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under ski and snowboard champions, as well as go into the draw to win the 'Ultimate Winter Package'. This includes an all-expenses-paid holiday for 2 to Niseko Japan valued at $6,200, thanks to Deep Powder Tours Ski Holidays, plus a complete Salomon ski and snowboard equipment package valued at $3,800.
Ask and you shall receive... At the athlete’s request, during the bad weather conditions, the jump was made even bigger by adding extra kick on the take-off, as well as making the landing steeper. This has unquestionably built even more anticipation amongst the riders. For two days, athletes anxiously waited for the strong winds to calm down, so they can continue launching off the 90+ foot Charles Beckinsale built booter.
Although the winds were still present, some managed to step it up and nail some very impressive ‘one-hits’. The stand out performer of the day was undoubtedly USA’s McRae Williams, who threw down two personal best tricks, including a switch double-cork 1440, and a right double flat 900. “I came to Australia to compete in the Toyota One Hit Wonder with the aim of landing a right double flat 900, and I’m so stoked that I managed to stomp it. This event is sick, and I’ll definitely be back again next year”, says USA’s rising freeskier star, McRae Williams.
Also on the top list of performers was New Zealand’s Byron Wells, also landing for the first time a switch double rodeo 1080, as well as top Billabong snowboarder, Victorian Robbie Walker, outperforming other snowboarders on the day attempting an impressive front 1260.
The final day of The Toyota One Hit Wonder is today and the good news is that the weather is shining upon us, with little wind and sunshine predicted for the day. The wrap-up after party is also on tonight, where all the athletes and crew will be hitting up the Schuss bar, in Thredbo from 7:30pm onwards. During the evening’s festivities, the ‘Red Bull Riders Choice’ award will be handed out to the skier and snowboarder, nominated by the riders, who charged the hardest during the event. Each award is worth $1,000.
Footage captured from each rider’s best ‘one-hit’ trick during the event will be uploaded to www.onehitwonderevent.com on Wednesday 22nd September. The general public then has until the 10th October to vote for their favorite and decide who will be crowned the 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under ski and snowboard champions.
By voting, consumers go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’, including an all-expenses-paid holiday to Niseko Japan for two valued at $6,200, thanks to DEEP POWDER TOURS Ski Holidays, and a Salomon ski and snowboard equipment package, valued at $3,800.
The distinct rumble of the Park Bully that has kept the local pygmy possums awake for the last few weeks was not within earshot today. The Thredbo park crew were down to hand tools putting finishing touches on the Toyota One Hit Wonder arena that will set the stage for these world class skiers and boarders.
International freeskier Bobby Brown, kiwi Byron Wells, and Thredbo local Russ Henshaw ventured up the mountain to check out the Charles Beckinsale built feature which has taken over 88 hours and 57 satay chicken burgers to build.
"This feature is possibly an Australian first," says Charles. "...at the least, it is certainly the biggest pile of snow in the country right now."
If the weather plays nice the invited finalists will begin sessioning the hit tomorrow (14th) and have until Saturday the 18th to lock down their best 'one hit' for the cameras. After which, the public are given the power to choose the winning skier and boarder who will share in the $10,000 cash prize pool. Voters also go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’. This includes an all-expenses-paid holiday to Niseko Japan for two valued at $6,200, thanks to DEEP POWDER TOURS Ski Holidays, a complete Salomon ski and snowboard equipment package valued at $3,800 as well as an all expenses paid weekend for two to Thredbo in 2011.
Andy Lloyd and Andrew Roth will be joining 2009 snowboard champion Robbie Walker alongside the Ryan & Dane Tiene v Clint & Mitch Allan 'bro-down'.
Bine Zalohar will be defending his skiing title from the likes of Salomon's Bobby Brown and 19 year old Park City local, McRae Williams. Byron Wells is flying over from across the 'ditch' to join Johnny Lipzker, Charlie Timmins and brothers Jordan & Jesse Houghton at the top of the in-run.
Thanks to everyone who auditioned. Now, watch this space for updates on the jump build, interviews with the contenders as well as developing news heading into the 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under.
International freeskier Bobby Brown is set to make some serious noise at the Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under when he is set to battle it our against a hand-picked line up of big-name Australian and international riders this September 14th – 18th.
As a supporter of the Toyota One Hit Wonder, Salomon were invited to put forward one of their team riders to compete in Australia’s most watched skiing and snowboarding big-air event. They’ve nominated Brown, the 18 year-old from Colorado, who in one short season, has gone from a promising freshman to the man to beat in big-air competition. Earlier this year he made history when he became the first to win two events (slopestyle and big-air) in the Aspen Winter X Games. “I’m pumped to be heading Down Under! I can’t think of a better way to spend my off-season than Thredbo in the spring-time,” says Brown.
Brown will be competing alongside other hand-picked big-name Australian and international riders aiming to secure the best ‘one-hit’ in front of the cameras. “Having an international pro of Brown’s caliber in our mountains is a first for Australia and no doubt will push our own athletes out of their comfort zone.” Comments editor of Powderhound magazine, Christie Dowling; “The Powderhound lenses will be front-row to capture the spectacle.”
Each finalists best ‘one-hit’ from the event is filmed and uploaded to www.onehitwonderevent.com, where audiences have until the 10th October to vote and decide which Toyota One Hit Wonder skier and snowboarder will share in a $10,000 prize pool. Voters also go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’. This includes an all-expenses-paid holiday to Niseko Japan for two valued at $6,200, thanks to DEEP POWDER TOURS Ski Holidays, plus a complete Salomon ski and snowboard equipment package valued at $3,800.
Skiers and snowboarders have just one week left to submit their audition for the chance to compete in Australia’s most watched skiing and snowboarding big-air competition, the Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under event.
To be eligible to compete alongside 2009 ski and snowboard champions Bine Zalohar and Robbie Walker, athletes must film their best trick and email a high-quality video link (such as yousendit.com) to auditions@onehitwonderevent.com by 20th August 2010.
“The Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under Event has one of the biggest cash offerings on the Australian snow sports calendar with a prize pool of $10,000 up for grabs; $4k to each publicly voted people’s choice skier and boarder, and $1k to each rider’s choice champion. We’ve been stoked by the auditions we’ve received so far and I can guarantee the competition is certainly going to be fierce this year,” said Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under Event Director Tim Myers.
Finalists will compete in Thredbo from the 14th to 18th September.
Each finalists best ‘one-hit’ from the event will be filmed and uploaded to www.onehitwonderevent.com, where everyone has until the 10th October to vote for their favorite and decide who will be crowned the 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under ski and snowboard champions.
By voting, consumers go into the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’, including an all-expenses-paid holiday to Niseko Japan for two valued at $6,200, thanks to DEEP POWDER TOURS Ski Holidays and a Salomon ski and snowboard equipment package, valued at $3,800.
Check out a few of the auditions here.
What do you want to do tomorrow?
Jacqui Cooper, one of Australia’s most successful women's aerial skiers is just one of the famous Aussies who feature in a new campaign that asks us to consider how what we do today, impact on our world for tomorrow.
The campaign is promoting Australia’s biggest community tree planting event, Planet Ark’s National Tree Day, proudly supported by Toyota, on Sunday August 1. Planting a tree is one of the simplest things you can do today, for tomorrow.
To view the video visit http://www.tomorrow.org.au/
Competitions often leave skiers wishing they had an opportunity for a re-do. This September, they will, writes Colette Maddock. At the four-day Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under competition at Thredbo Resort, Australia, skiers have an opportunity to try a trick as many times as they can.
The unique competition, held in the Southern Hemisphere’s spring, gives riders a chance to perfect their best trick on the jump that’s set up for the four-day-long competition. The creators of the event wanted to let skiers get used to the jump, and make progress with their skiing each day in the competition.
Read the full story and an interview with 2009 ski champion, Bine Zalohar, here...
Real-time reports, high-tech lift passes and smart ways to clock your speed: technology has officially arrived, writes Rachael Oakes-Ash.
IF YOU'RE connected to the world with a mobile phone, an iPod or the internet, life on the snow just got a whole lot easier. Technology has officially arrived at the ski resorts of Australia and New Zealand and we're not talking automated snow guns and high-speed quad chairs.
Auditions start today for the 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under Event.
Australia's most watched skiing and snowboarding big-air competition of 2009, The Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under Event will return to the slopes of Thredbo in 2010 with the first stage (the "Audition") launched today. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to capture and submit online their best ‘one-hit’, before the 20th August for their chance to compete in the finals
Dubbed as "the event to watch in 2010" Snow It All Blog, Sydney Morning Herald, the One Hit Wonder crew will judge each video audition with finalists invited to compete on one of the biggest custom built jump features in Australia at Thredbo from the 14th to 18th of September.
“The Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under Event showcases Australian snowsports on an international stage and in 2010 spectators should expect nothing short of an insane jaw-dropping spectacular,” says Event Director, Tim Myers. “The event brings out the best in riders and is a great way to highlight the skills of our upcoming athletes and progress the sport in Australia.”
A virtual grandstand, made up of anyone connected to the Internet, will decide on the winners by voting for their favorite big-air trick on www.onehitwonderevent.com. The public have three weeks to vote which one skier and one snowboarder will be awarded 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under Champion. By voting, consumers go into the draw to win the 'Ultimate Winter Package'. This includes an all-expenses-paid holiday for 2 to Niseko Japan valued at $6,200 thanks to Deep Powder Tours Ski Holidays, plus a complete Salomon ski and snowboard equipment package valued at $3,800.
2009 One Hit Wonder ski winner, Bine Zalohar said, “I came to Australia to work as a ski instructor and heard from my friends that there was a big event going down at the end of the season. On the final day of jumping I landed my money trick and the people voted for me.”
The 2010 total prize pool is valued at $10,000. As well as the publicly voted champions, the final athletes will vote amongst themselves at the end of the week to decide the most impressive peer performance, which will be awarded at the Thredbo Village after party on the 18th of September.
To audition for The Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under Event, riders must either email a downloadable high-quality video link (such as yousendit.com or vimeo.com) to auditions@onehitwonderevent.com by 20th August 2010.
