Press Release
First Ever Aussie Skiing Event Ranked on Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) Tour
In a massive coup for Australian skiing, the Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under has been announced as the first ever Australian event to be ranked on the international AFP tour and returns to the gumtree lined slopes at Thredbo Resort in NSW this September.
A grassroots event that has grown and gained international acclaim, the Toyota One Hit Wonder is a totally unique, big-air event format that is unrivalled worldwide. International and Australian competitors - many of whom are Olympic medal hopefuls - will demonstrate their superhuman tricks off a 100+-foot jump built by world-renowned terrain park builder, Charles Beckinsale.
This year's event runs from September 11 to 15, consisting of three competition days - with day one a judged AFP Big Air event - giving competitors the chance to earn points towards their AFP world tour ranking ( afpworldtour.com ) and over $20,000 in prize money is up for grabs.
Day two will see the top skiers from around the globe invited back to shed their technical ability and throw down their best crowd-pleasing Big Air trick in front of the cameras. Riders will select their best trick to be uploaded online and the public will decide on the People's Choice Champion who will take home $5,000 in cash.
Public voters also go into the draw to win the 'Ultimate Winter Prize' worth over $10,000, including an all-expenses-paid holiday for two to Hakuba Japan, staying at the luxurious Phoenix Hotel and a complete Salomon ski or snowboard package.
Day three of competition will be open to invited skiers and boarders to throw down in a jam session on some of the side show features for cash and prizes in a casual spring-fling atmosphere.
"The Toyota One Hit Wonder will be the first ever AFP sanctioned event in Australia and provides our talented Aussie athletes a great opportunity to compete alongside the world's best freeskiers. With several of our athletes medal hopefuls for the 2014 Sochi Games and others vying for selection, this event is the perfect platform for athletes to hone their skills and make a mark on world rankings," says Ramone Cooper of Ski and Snowboard Australia.
Gus Kenworthy from Telluride, Colorado was crowned 2011 winner against the likes of free-ski superstars, defending champion Bobby Brown, Jossi Wells and Joe Schuster, as well as Salomon Australia teammates and brother combo Jordan & Jesse Houghton.
"The Toyota One Hit Wonder event has made its mark as Australia's best showcase of skiing talent and in 2012, the event will bring together the best skiers in the world, highlighting the incredible talents of our upcoming Olympic athletes with an international standard of cinematography" says Event Director, Tim Myers.
