Perisher, NSW (Australian News Sources) - - It was widely described as the greatest day of Snowboarding ever on Australian snow as a world class international field fought out the Super Pipe finals of the Garnier Fructis Pro Challenge at Perisher Blue today.

18 year-old American snowboarding sensation Louis Vito (USA) threw down a flawless final run which included back to back 900 rotations and a backside 1080 - the first ever on Australian snow - to claim victory and his second successive Garnier Fructis Pro Challenge.

Fellow American Danny Kass (Olympic Silver Medalist '02 & '06) finished runner-up in an epic battle - the lead see-sawing with Vito throughout the final as they pushed their performances to amazing levels. Kass looked set to out-do Vito's run with a series of high 900 rotations but came unstuck on a backside 1080 spin during the final stages. Australian Andrew Burton put on a great snowboarding display and finished 3rd place.

"This has been an amazing event." Vito said while holding the $21,000 winners check.

"The Perisher crew did an incredible job building the Pipe which made us go for the big moves. We (Vito and Kass) pushed each other today and that's what it's all about - going harder and higher for the win - I've had a great time here and full credit to Garnier and the Australian's for putting on such an incredible event."

Just a day earlier, Vito won additional prize money by placing third in the professional Slope Style contest.

The Garnier Fructis Pro Challenge offered $100 000 in prize money over two days across Open Men and Open Women in the disciplines of Slope Style and Super Pipe and was the biggest Snowboarding Event ever in Australia.

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand — Pro snowboarder Louie Vito kicked off the first event in this season’s Burton Global Open Series, The New Zealand Open with a bang. The snow stopped and the wind subsided long enough to showcase some of the world’s best halfpipe talent including seven 2006 Olympians, and over 100 competitors. The three day event culminated with Vito winning his semi finals qualifier and entered the Finals with a great deal of momentum. His first run in the finals included two 1080’s and two 900’s and was good enough for him to win the silver medal. The Global Open Series consists of five events and the athlete that accumulates the most points in those five events will take home a cash prize of $100,000.

Vito also announced his signing with the new critically acclaimed snowboard company, O-Matic Snowboards which will make its industry debut this winter. The company is owned by snowboard legends Todd Richards, Andreas Wiig and Tara Dakides.

Vito will continue to train, film and compete in both New Zealand and Australia for the rest of the month.