Skiing: US skier will defend NZ title

Bobby Brown of the USA during last year's Freeski Big Air final in Queenstown. Photo / Getty Images

Two-time Winter X Games gold medallist and the world's No 10-ranked slopestyle rider, American Bobby Brown, will defend his New Zealand freeski open title in Wanaka this week.

It is a strong field, and qualifying starts at Cardrona tomorrow with the finals to be held on Friday.

The halfpipe finals are on Saturday, with the defending champion Taylor Seaton of the US the main attraction.

New Zealand's world No 1 Jossi Wells is unable to compete due to injury, but national team members Byron Wells, Lyndon Sheehan and AJ Kemppainen will line up.