New Zealand athletes are in action at the Sochi Winter Olympics for the first time tonight in qualification for the women's snowboard.
Blue skies and still conditions are forecast in the Caucasus Mountains for slopestylers Christy Prior, Shelley Gotlieb, Stefi Luxton and Rebecca Torr.
The event is new to the Olympics and Torr says she's surprised by the extra large size of the jumps.
All competitors will advance beyond tonight's first round with the top four in each heat awarded direct entry to the finals.
