Eric Willett and Jamie Anderson Win Billabong Slopestyle Jam At Snow Park Wanaka

Sunday 19th August 2007: AMERICAN snowboarder Eric Willett (Breckenridge Colorado) has defeated a class field of riders to win the 2007 Billabong Slopestyle Jam at Snow Park, Wanaka.

The 19-year-old stomped a huge switch 1080 on the second kicker to set up the winning score of 25.60 out of 30.00, narrowly edging out Kiwi local Mitchell Brown on 24.90 points and countryman Tim Humphreys on 24.30. The winning run consisted of a front 270 to backside boardslide on the box, a Cab 720 on the first kicker, the switch back 1080 on the second kicker followed by a frontside boardslide on the bottom rail.

""It was such a good course, nice and soft, you could really tuck up tight on that second kicker," said Willett. "I didn't really know how things were going to happen, everyone was throwing down but it worked out pretty good for me.

"The talent here this weekend was insane, it's a big win for me, and I'm super stoked on it."

The Americans proved their dominance of the sport with a clean sweep in both the Open Men and Women's divisions courtesy of 16-year-old Jamie Anderson taking the girls blue ribbon title from Japanese rider Izumi Amaike. Yesterday's top finals qualifier Jenny Jones (UK) finished in third.

Kiwi's place strongly in the Junior Men's, Junior Women's and Grommet's divisions, winning all three. Local Wanaka rider Louis Purucker took out the hotly contested junior men's title in fine style, nailing his second run to post a combined total of 25.40. The victory was sweet reward for the stylish boarder after failing to reach the finals of the Open Men's Division.

"I just came to have fun, I did try really hard and it payed off," said Purucker. "Most of us Kiwi boy's travel out of the country to the northern hemisphere and we ride with the internationals and compete against them there,

"We ripped it hard, the level of riding out here was really high."

Purucker defeated fellow Kiwi's James Hamilton (North Shore) and Connor Harding to establish himself as one of the hottest prospects coming out of the South Island highlands.

"It's definitely good to have the home crowd here supporting me, I'm definitely stoked to be winning here on the home turf," he said.

The Grommet Division was won by Harrison Gray while the Junior Women's was taken out by Rebecca Torr.

Following the Slopestyle Jam Finals, the MTV Billabong Snow Jam lit up the mountain with headline act Lupe Fiasco performing for over 2000 people. While the hip hop star rocked the crowd, 30 invited riders hit a huge kicker behind the stage for the Nixon Throwdown.

Tim Humphreys (USA) pocketed a Nixon "Ceramic Player" watch worth $2000 for stomping the best trick.

Following the outdoor gig, Lupe Fiasco came inside and performed another exclusive set for industry crew, pro snowboarders and media at the VIP after party.