Winter Games NZ, the largest snow sport event in the Southern Hemisphere, will "no longer be held in its current format", organisers revealed today, announcing the "end of an era".
In a statement today, organisers said "adverse economic conditions" had impacted the financial viability of the events.
Escalating event delivery costs, challenging New Zealand sponsorship and media markets, and the international federation sanctioning fees and prize money being indexed against strong European currencies had made it "untenable" for Winter Games NZ Charitable Trust to continue its snow sports pathway events.
"While it is with a heavy heart that we share this news, we are immensely proud of what has been achieved over the last 15 years, and we are grateful for each and every person who has contributed to the legacy that Winter Games NZ will leave behind," Winter Games NZ chairman Dr Sam Hazledine said.
Winter Games NZ was established by Sir Eion Edgar in 2009 to provide a pathway for Kiwi athletes to get on the world stage.
Since its inception, 11 editions of the games have been held, with more than 600 athletes from over 40 nations competing.
Winter Games NZ has managed to put on 189 medal events since 2009, including 23 FIS Snowboard World Cups and 20 FIS Freeski World Cups. In 2011, it hosted the world's first FIS-sanctioned Freeski Big Air competition.
In the two years leading up to each Winter Olympics, Winter Games NZ held events where athletes could win qualification points.
Since it was established, 49 out of 54 snowboard big air, halfpipe and slopestyle medals, and 35 of 42 freeski big air, halfpipe and slopestyle medals awarded at the Winter Olympics went to athletes who competed at Winter Games NZ.
"While this decision marks the end of an era, the legacy of Winter Games NZ will live on," chief executive Marty Toomey said.
"Many New Zealand athletes have achieved notable firsts at Winter Games NZ over the years through securing their first FIS or FWT points, a first FIS World Cup start, a FIS Australia New Zealand Cup bib, a FIS Junior World Championship title, a FIS World Cup medal or earning points towards the next Olympic or Paralympic Winter Games or Freeride World Tour."
New Zealand freeskier Jossi Wells said: "It’s sad to see the end of Winter Games NZ as I knew it, as it was a great event for Kiwi athletes to show off their skills in front of a raucous Kiwi crowd, their friends and family."
Hazledine said that while snow sports pathway events would no longer be delivered by the trust, "we are still evaluating options for maximising the benefit from the Sir Eion Edgar Legacy Fund, which may include a non-pathway event in future years".
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