Wanaka, New Zealand (Monday, July 8, 2002) - The Johnny Superpipe at Cardrona Alpine Resort opened today. The Johnny is the first Superpipe ever in Australasia and the first one to open in the southern hemisphere this season.

Pipe and park team leader Jon Malcolm-Smith noted that “everyone was 110% stoked about the pipe – people were running to get up even before the lifts opened”. Malcolm-Smith was impressed with how well the pipe was riding after its very first shaping. “I think the pipe is going to prove to be an absolute winner throughout this season,” he added.

Current New Zealand halfpipe champions Dylan Butt and Julianne Bray were among the first to hit the pipe. Some of their runs were truly inspirational for the other riders who had gathered. “It’s so smooth! It’s fantastic to ride a pipe like this in New Zealand” Butt commented.

The Superpipe is a much larger halfpipe making a smoother transition to and from vertical, allowing boarders to ride faster and fly further. Between 12-15,000 cubic meters (15,700-19,600 cubic yards) of snow was used to build the pipe -- enough to cover a rugby field in 6 meters (nearly 20 feet) of snow.

New Zealand halfpipe champion Dylan Butt goes big in Cardrona's new Superpipe on Tuesday. (photo: Dave Kidston)

The pipe will host several key events this year. The first will be the Burton Jam this Saturday and the Vodafone Junior World Snowboard Championships in early September.