Words: Angela Hampton

In an “Idol-esque” conclusion to the most watched skiing and snowboarding event in Australia, Salomon International Team freeskier Bobby Brown and South Coast local snowboarder Clint Allan have emerged as the people’s choice winners of the 2010 Toyota One Hit Wonder Down Under. 

Bobby Brown. Photo: Redbull Photofiles

Clint Allan. Photo: Dan Himbrechtsg

Three weeks after 16 of some of the worlds most talented skiers and snowboarders were invited to showcase their best ‘one hit’ for the cameras, over 3,000 public votes from around the world were counted to crown two of the most progressive big air tricks seen in the Southern Hemisphere.

Clint Allan. Photo: Joseph Purdam

Allan, 23, won the public vote with a backside double corked 1080 on the first day of jumping the 90 foot step-over feature, right before landing short a few jumps later. The impact was so severe he broke both his ankles, ending his season. “It almost makes breaking both my legs worthwhile…almost”, Allan quipped from his wheelchair. “I’ll probably spend the money on a bit of rehab so I can get back on a board as soon as possible. I can’t wait to start jumping again.”

Bobby Brown. Sequence: Joseph Purdam

Brown, 19 from Breckenridge, Colorado, unleashed his Winter X-Games gold medal winning switch double misty 1260 to convincingly claim the skiers title. “I’m so stoked to have won The Toyota One Hit Wonder. Coming out to Australia and competing in this event was an amazing experience. I loved the competition format and the jump was mind blowing”, said Brown, who also hinted he’d love to return to Thredbo in 2011 to defend his title. 

Bobby Brown. Photo: Darren Teasdale

Everyone who voted in the Toyota One Hit Wonder event was in the running to win the ‘Ultimate Winter Package’ prize. Congratulations goes out to Simon Sellers from Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, who has won an all-expenses-paid holiday to Niseko, Japan for two thanks to Deep Powder Tours Ski Holidays, an all-inclusive weekend for two at Thredbo in 2011, staying at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, plus a Salomon ski and snowboard equipment package. Total package prize is valued at $10,000.

Photo: Andrew Fawcett

With the Toyota One Hit Wonder now wrapped up in 2010, the event organizers are already looking towards 2011. “We held our breath numerous times this year as the athletes threw caution to the wind, literally, as strong gusts throughout the week threatened the possibility of anyone hitting such a huge jump”, said Event Director Tim Myers, “but these guys are truly calculating when flying through 100+ foot of air space. The strength of the athletes, along with the open-minds at Toyota made it hugely successful.”

The Champions from One Hit Wonder Event on Vimeo.

To check out more photos and video from the Toyota One Hit Wonder visit http://www.onehitwonderevent.com.