Lake Wanaka, New Zealand (Monday, July 29, 2002) - The 2002 "Heli Bash" goes ballistic, redefining the term cutting edge in one of the world's most spectacular sporting events.

A new format incorporating the world's first helicopter accessed Terrain Park will test the sheer acrobatic and "new school" excellence of world class level athletes, consisting of over 50 skiers and snowboarders from all round the globe.

The "Hel Jib", as it is affectionately known among the athletes and media, will see huge aerial jumps on natural terrain, whilst specially designed "Pro Rails", "fun boxes" and vertical ramps add a new dimension to the event, all being helicoptered up to the mountain peak of Mt. Roy, over looking the stunning beauty of the Lake Wanaka township and the Southern Alps of New Zealand's South Island.

The staging area is from the heart of the Wanaka township, were the general public will be able to witness first hand the enormous logistics involved of staging what is globally renowned as the "Apocalypse of snow sports competition". Spectators are invited to fly up and join in on the excitement, fun and music. Free coaching by elite athletes of the renowned New Zealand Free Riding Company will be on hand to give pointers and tips for all to try, right next to the goings on of the action of the world's best.

Arguably one of the worlds most adrenaline driven snow races, the legendary Chinese Downhill, also comes into the public viewing for the first time. 3,000 people will gather on the Queenstown Return run of Cardrona's Alpine Resort to witness the fast and furious pace of this amazing event, being held in the back bowls off the top of Mount Cardrona. The speeds reached by the competitors of this race is phenomenal, with all competitors jockeying for the "hole shot" and glory of victory and qualification into the ESPN Winter X Games in North America this upcoming northern winter.

World Champion freeskier and former World Heli Challenge Champion, Guerlian Cecherit from Tigne in France, is back and focusing on taking line honors. But kiwi legend, three-time North American Champion and former two-time Chinese Downhill winner Geoff Small from Queenstown intends on putting a stop to Cecherit's chances.

The global TV coverage confirmed for the next two years on North America's FOX Sports USA, across Pan Europe, Asia and Latin America testifies to the enormous respect this event has. The 2001 event was the second most global televised sporting event held in New Zealand, coming just short of only the Car Rally of New Zealand and outstripping that of the America's Cup sailing yacht race which was also recently staged in New Zealand.

The event is a windfall for tourism related benefits to the New Zealand economy, with event partners such as Qantas, Infinity Investment Group, Pipeline Bungy and Dominion Breweries Export Gold taking the event to the next level by formulating an intricate network strategies which will undoubtedly take the event to the level.

The World Heli Challenge is also a launching pad for the events creator and executive director, Tony Harrington's "HarroArt" photographic work. "Harro" is a respected and globally acclaimed sports and lifestyle photographer.

The HarroArt Exhibition will take place for the duration of the event at Gallery 33 in Wanaka and includes spectacular images from places as far away as Greenland, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, dramatic landscape and wildlife photography from the jungles of Sumatra, Australia and of course New Zealand.

The alpine ski resorts of Treble Cone, Cardrona and the brand new international training and event facility of Snow Park will host the Export Gold Super Sessions. These three events will display some of the finest "New School" techniques currently leading the sport and compliments perfectly the helicopter-accessed competitions. The Grande Finale to the 10 day period is the Snow Park Invitational, where $10,000 in cold cash is up for grabs on Saturday 17th August.

The Wanaka Snowfest is held in conjunction with the "Heli Bash 2002" with a myriad of events and activities for all to be part of. The official prize awards of the helicopter accessed events will be held at the start of the Snowfest Parade in down town Wanaka on Friday evening August 16th around 6 p.m. in front of many thousands of spectators.

For helicopter bookings to witness the "Hel Jib", contact the Back Country Heli Skiing office on 03-443 5385 located at 14 Dunmore St Wanaka, right next to the Cardrona Alpine Resort town office.