ONE HIT WONDER – 2011 Photos And What To Expect In 2012
Joe Schuster getting inverted
One Hit Wonder | Words by Luke Kneller, Photos by Andrew Fawcett
As always with the Toyota One Hit Wonder, the bigger the jump, the better the riders. With 2011 bringing with it a decent snow-base Charles Beckinsale had a huge amount of snow to shape. And shape he did, constructing a near perfect 100ft jump, the largest ever in the Southern Hemisphere.
With the draw of a $10,000 winner takes all prize purse and a seven story jump in the Australian alps, the Pros flocked to the scene. Bobby Brown returned to defend his 2010 title, bringing with him fellow Americans; Joss Christensen, Chris Laker and Gus Kenworthy. Canadian Joe Schuster made the trip out as well to better his already top-notch tan, while Jossi Wells made the jump from NZ.
Gus Kenworthy sending it as storm clouds loom
Unfortunately for the Australian side of things the likes of Boen Ferguson, Charlie Timmins and Russ Henshaw were all unable to compete due to Knee injuries. So the fate of Australian skiing relied on two men, brothers in fact; Jordan and Jesse Houghton from Jindabyne. Arguably the two best big-air seekers Australia has to offer.
As the One Hit Wonder is based so heavily on filming, the filmers lay it on the line with the athletes
With the jump casting a long shadow and the athletes all on their way I went up early to dib the best room and settle in for the week. Thredbo hooked us up with one of the more historic buildings in Thredbo, The Seidler lodge. Designed by one of Australia’s most prolific architects Harry Seidler. Think of Austin Powers meets apres in this 80’s porn palace. Complete with matching mahogany red carpet and drapes, circular bar and a glass floor hovering three-stories above the Thredbo River. Suffice to say when the Athletes got there, they were rather impressed.
The concept was much the same as years previous, with the Athletes given one week to session the jump. With over 5 filmers getting every shot and angle imaginable the riders elect their favourite jump where it is put online for the public to decide who takes home the money.
Very efficient transport back to the top!
Within hours of the initial speed checks, Australia saw its first triple cork attempts. A testament to both the incredible talent of these big air skiers as well as Charles as one of the world’s top park builders. The bar was set high, and it remained that way for the course of the week. Jesse Houghton took out the riders choice with his flawless superman double front flips. In my opinion someone who has that much control over themselves in the air, someone who is that comfortable doing a superman over a 100ft jump truly deserves this award. Yeah Jesse!
Throughout the week, while everyone was giving it their all, one man stood above the rest pushing the limits of big air skiing and what is possible on skis. Gus Kenworthy, whom you all would of seen absolutely cleaning up this season in both slopestyle and halfpipe made an impression during the One Hit Wonder and the people agreed. With thousands of votes cast Gus was crowned and awarded a cool $10 000. Not bad for a week in Thredbo.
Jossi Wells was looking ultra comfortable on such a big jump
Now as this 2012 season is quickly ramping up to be a spectacular one, all eyes are on what Event Director Tim Myers will unveil on the 11th to 15th of September with this year’s Toyota One Hit Wonder. One thing I can tell you, is that we will be seeing the first ever AFP ranked event on Australian snow. With this, Tim has once again opened up doors and possibilities for Australian freeskiers.. Other more speculative rumours for this year include the possible involvement of burrito’s, and Tim himself attempting more lazy-boi-cork-3’s during the lunch break.
The Toyota One Hit Wonder is now in its 4th year and leading a master-class on what can be done in the Australian mountains with an oversized pile of snow and a backdrop that only Thredbo can provide.. Thanks to Tim Myers and his team for making this a truly special week in Spring.
One of the world’s best park builders Charles Beckinsale, he put in the hours to produce this jump to international standard
Check out the gallery and keep posted on upcoming news for this years event at www.onehitwonderevent.com .
A huge thankyou to the incredibly talented photographer Freddy Fawcett for the photos. Freddy Can work a camera!
Thredbo forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.
