Since 1995. #1 in Snow
As the name suggests it is an event which features elastic-limbed skiers and boarders getting huge air watched by an appreciative audience including many resort guests riding the Ruined Castle Quad Chairlift.
After the qualifying session in the Frying Pann Nitro Snowboards sponsored Big Air between 11.30am to 1pm it gets very serious. The two and half hours allocated to the high-energy finals begin at 1pm when the skiers and boarders display their respective manoeuvres.
There are only two jumps which count from the top eight boarders and skiers who make it into the final round. The experienced panel of judges, three ski and three boarding, headed by Sean Oakley, always have a difficult task determining who takes out a share of the prize pool.
Local favourites often include members of Falls Creek park crew. However, an impressive number of well-known names in the freestyle fraternity, who know what the judges are looking for, are heading to Falls Creek.
With over twelve grand worth of cash and prizes up for grabs, the field in this year's Frying Pann Nitro Snowboards -sponsored Big Air will be extremely competitive.
Falls Creek's Head Park Builder Reuben Cameron, who has produced world-class features in the park every winter, will build the jump used in the qualifying and final jumps.
A combination of good snowfalls, hard-working snowmakers, groomer operators and the most accomplished park builders in the southern hemisphere has yielded the desired outcome- a terrain park that will challenge the world's best freestylers
Cameron, who spends most of his nights (with renowned boarder and kat operator Dougie Mercer) in the Castle Terrain Park, is reshaping some existing jumps in readiness for the enthusiastic freeriders who'll show up this Saturday for the Frying Pann Nitro Snowboards -sponsored Big Air event.
Matt Galina, and Jade McJannett who have won their respective divisions in the Big Air are also working with Cameron to produce a top-class jump for the event.
Galina said: "The riders always seek good features at a Big Air competition and I'm sure this weekend we will see some tricks that haven't been done before.
"It is quite an established event and it's a fun day for the competitors who will come from many other resorts to perform and celebrate at the event's after party in the Frying Pann Inn.
"Some riders will step up and others will light the fire under their butts."
McJannett said:"You have to pull off (and land clean) the biggest trick you can do to impress the judges and outride your competition. You need to push it but still produce solid, clean tricks. Any former gymnasts or diver that take up this sport have incredible air awareness."
A wrap-up After Partyyyy at the Frying Pan Inn includes Dragon giveaways and drink specials.
Fancy yourself a shot at the substantial prize pool? If you want to have a go you can. Simply submit your registration and entry fee ($48 per competitor) to the Falls Creek Race and Events Office by 3pm on Friday August 12.
For further information or to download a registration form, visit www.skifalls.com.au/Events or contact the Falls Creek Race and Events department on 03 5758 1026
