New Zealand's women's snowboarders missed out on direct passage to Sunday's finals of the women's slopestyle event as the Winter Olympics got underway in Sochi overnight (NZT).
Rebecca Torr was the best of the Kiwis, finishing sixth in her 12-strong heat with a best score of 70.75 (she recorded 33.75 in her other run).
Christy Prior was seventh in her heat with 70.50 Stefi Luxton was eighth with 59.75 while Shelly Gotlieb fell in both of her runs (she recorded scores of 18.00 and 30.75) to place 11th in her heat.
All four will have another chance to qualify for the final when they contest Sunday's second-chance semifinals. Austria's Anna Gasser was the top qualifier for the final with a best score of 95.50.
The opening ceremony for the Sochi Winter Olympics is due to take place tomorrow morning (NZT). New Zealand's flagbearer, speed skater Shane Dobbin, will compete in the men's 5000m on Sunday morning (NZT).
