SNOWBOARD: The 2013 Winter Games NZ has been off to tough start with trying weather conditions hampering the running of events. This hasn't stopped Australian athletes from posting solid results.

Snowboard Halfpipe

Australian Olympic snowboarders Holly Crawford and Nate Johnstone have cruised into the World Cup halfpipe final at the annual Winter Games in New Zealand.

Johnstone, like Crawford a former World Champion, placed third in his heat and moves straight into the finals. Johnstone scored 83.66 behind Japan's Ayumu Hirano (94.66) and Frenchman Arthur Longo (89.33).

Olympian Scott James and Kent Callister both finished sixth in their heats and progress to the semis.

In the women's event Crawford, 29, was fourth in her heat, scoring 77.33 behind leading Americans Kelly Clark (92.00), Gretchen Bleiler (87.66) and Arielle Gold (76.66) and automatically advances to Saturday's final while 10 others contest semi-finals.

"I'm really happy, it saves a bit of time on the day so I can keep my energy up," Crawford told AAP.

"It's been a bit rough, we didn't get much training.

"I just kind of took it a bit easy and got a run down."

"It's always a bit of a ramp up going into the Olympics.

"The top girls are definitely out there, so there's a bit of competition."

Heat two was claimed by China's six-time World Cup winner Jiayu Liu with a score of 91.00.

Crawford's countrywomen Hannah Trigger, Amber Arazny, Alex Fitch, Stephanie Magiros and Emily Arthur all missed out on a semi-final run.

Australia's reigning Olympic Champion in this event, Torah Bright, pulled out of the event on Thursday despite competing in the snowboard slopestyle event at Cardona on Monday.

AAP with Olympics.com.au

Snowboard Slopestyle

US snowboard star Jamie Anderson has won the 2014 season's first FIS Snowboard World Cup which was staged today as part of the Winter Games NZ 2013 at Cardrona Alpine Ski Resort. The 22-year-old rewarded the patience of a passionate crowd with a stunning display of slopestyle riding after weather had again disrupted the day's schedule leading to a late afternoon finish for the women and the cancellation of the men's comp.

Michaela Davis-Meehan was the best of the Aussies by finishing 11th, followed by Torah Bright in 16th and Biba Turnbull 23rd.

Upcoming events

Friday 23rd August
Ski Slopestyle Qualifying

Saturday 24th August
Snowboard Halfpipe
Finals

Sunday 25th August
Ski Slopestyle Finals