Stunning SI snow runs for Christ’s College
21 Aug 2024
Star snowboarders Oscar Kobayashi and Ed Bodie-Healy have landed the quinella at the South Island Secondary School Ski and Snowboarding Championships at Cardrona while Seb Gray, Tomas Coberger, and Josh Brown have claimed the ski racing team title.
In a completive giant slalom field, Seb has also taken the individual title honours, while Tomas has finished 3rd and Josh 4th to seal the team victory. Now in Year 11, Seb also won the individual title in 2022. However, the 2023 event was cancelled.
In the individual race, five College skiers – JJ Wada 5th, Tim Tolerton 6th, Zeb Jarvis 7th, Sam Nicholl 8th, and Gabe Botherway 11th – have also lined up.
For Oscar, it is a winning double after also claiming the Canterbury snowboarding title, with Ed finishing 3rd at the Mount Hutt contest. Having started in Year 11 at College this term, Oscar is loving his time on the mountains and around the school, particularly enjoying the company of his fellow Flower’s House boarders.
“I was confident but nervous at Cardrona as it was my first time competing as a snowboarder in alpine giant slalom and very different to my snowboarding experiences at home in Japan,” Oscar says. “However, I believed in myself. It was a lot of fun, with blue skies and perfect snow.”
From Tokyo, Oscar has won age-group titles in Japan but in a very different environment.
He hopes to one day represent Japan in international competitions and has appreciated being able to try out his skills in new terrain, enjoying his time in Wanaka. In summer, Oscar plans to tackle a new sport, hoping to take to the waves to learn how to surf.
Meanwhile, Seb recalls “feeling confident” going into his two giant slalom runs, and that both “felt easy, which is a good sign” for a competitor. Having already representing New Zealand in France last year, the Rolleston House skier will continue to train at Mount Hutt as he chases more international races. He is also looking forward to a change of scene with the upcoming rowing season.
Both Seb and Oscar have appreciated the help of Flower’s Housemaster Monique Ellis-Martin and her husband in getting the 10-strong College team to Wanaka and supporting the boys on their runs.
