NZSnowboard.com - The home of New Zealand Snowboarding

3rd September 2010

 After an impressive six consecutive stints competing at the NZ Uni Snow Games, Otago Universitys Estelle Baker decided an even bigger challenge was needed for her seventh.

Estelle Baker relaxes at the Snow Park, near Wanaka.
Photo: Georg Kukuvec

So, instead of her traditional snowboard, she also packed skis this year and effectively doubled her competitive schedule her tally of nine events the most of any of the 150 students gathered in Wanaka for the annual event.

Its the first time Ive done both ski and board events I thought it would be a bit of fun, Baker, who is studying a PhD in Microbiology, said.

Its been a while since I was on skis but luckily Ive remembered how to do it.

Slalom ski and board, GS ski and board, skier-cross, boarder-cross, half-pipe, slopestyle, Big Air and even cross-country feature on Bakers racing itinerary this week and shes even adopted the role of team manager for the 42-strong Otago contingent.

Its just good fun having some chilled competition, Baker said. Snow Games is a great opportunity to catch up with people from other universities as well.

And its great having the event split over four resorts and three mountains theyre completely different terrains.

Winning the gold medal in the GS board event on Tuesday, a fifth placing in the boarder-cross and top 10 finishes in every other event, Baker has contributed valuable points as Otago strives to defend the coveted Mike Forrestal Memorial Shield, which it has dominated for the past few years.

For the Otago University Alpine Sports Club, this is the big one everyone builds up to it each year, she said.

And theres another annual custom Bakers birthday.

Ive celebrated my last seven birthdays at Snow Games its a bit of a tradition.







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021 292 1660