Lake Wanaka, New Zealand – Tuesday’s weather with blue skies and no wind across New Zealand’s Southern Alps may have been perfect for the first day of the World Heli Challenge, but snow surfaces after two days of warm storms certainly weren’t.nAs a result, event organizers consulted with the athletes and all agreed it was
best to move from a competition day to an expression session.

“The success of the
day was due to quality decision making from the safety crew and a positive and
professional response from the athletes,” said Nick Mills, head judge and technical director of the event. “It was obviously less than ideal and
potentially hazardous conditions for everyone, yet we managed to responsibly move
around the mountain and have an epic day together in the hills.”

“The World Heli Challenge is all about adapting to the environment and whatever
nature provides,” added event founder, Tony Harrington.

Fly the world’s best skiers and snowboarders up a mountain in one of the alpine skiing and snowboarding’s most
beautiful spots, and they’re going to have a great time regardless of the
conditions.