Winter Games NZ Launches, Teams Up With X Games

mike lewis

• May 25 2009
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A new contest is hitting the southern scene. Some of the world’s top riders will come to New Zealand in late August to compete in pipe, slopestyle, big air, and boarder cross at the Winter Games NZ. In addition to getting riders geared up for the Olympics, organizers announced they have teamed up with ESPN’s Winter X Games to serve as a qualifier for the X Games.

According to the release: two of the key men behind the scenes ensuring a world-class event are Americans Josh Loubek and Chris Schuster.
“Winter Games NZ will provide a perfect venue for them to compete. This, along with other big name athletes from around the world, will create a huge event certain to capture a receptive audience. I look forward to a high level competition as we lead into the Winter Olympics in Whistler the following season,” Loubek continued.

Schuster is president of the AFP and has been instrumental in the development and management of ESPN Winter X Games for over ten years. He will oversee the slopestyle at The Remarkables and big air at Coronet Peak for both freeski and snowboard at Winter Games NZ.

“I am looking forward to the first WGNZ in anticipation of a successful, high quality event,” Schuster said. “It is events like these around the world that are the platforms the athletes use to continue to push the sport of skiing to new levels.”

Winter Games CEO, Arthur Klap, said having the buy-in from such well-respected industry professionals was not only a positive reflection of Winter Games NZ, but also a huge asset to the first-time event.

“Chris and Josh bring with them a wealth of experience from all over the world and are key players in the massive success that is the Winter X Games,” Klap said. “To have them as part of Winter Games NZ is a privilege and the expertise they will be able to impart to our local organizers will be invaluable. Their involvement also sends a message to the competitors that they an be assured of a world-class event.”

Winter Games NZ is among the events that are used to select athletes for ESPN Winter X Games in free ski halfpipe, slopestyle and big air.