SKI CHAMPIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 203, 28 August 1934, Page 12

SKI CHAMPIONS.

AUSTRALIAN IN GOOD FORM.

MOUNT RUAPEHU RACES.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

THE CHATEAU, this day

The men's and the women's downhill races in the New Zealand amateur ski championships, were held at Mount Ruapehu yesterday. Very large entries were received for each event, practically every sk,i club in the Dominion, being represented.

The course of the men's race began at an altitude of about 7000 feet, near the bottom of the WtiaUapapa Glacier. There was a total drop of 1400 feet. The course was in better condition than on the previous day and was a fine test of the ski-er's skill. The women's course was over the lower part of the men's. The Australian champion, T. W. Mitchell, was in fine form r.nd completed the entire course without a fall. All the other competitors had falls, but their improvement in ski-ing since Mitchell's last visit to New Zealand, was evident in the greater opposition he encountered.

Mrs. A. B. Edwardes, last year's winner of the women's downhill race, ran a very steady race and retained her title by a small margin from Miss P. Murphy. Results are:—

Men's Downhill Race.—T. W. Mitchell (Australian champion), 2.8 4-5, 1; H. H. Elworthy (Taeman Ski Club), 2.54 2-5, 2; Brian McMillan (Stratford Mountain Club), 2.55 2-5, 3. Next to finish were: — B. E. Murphy (Mount Egmont Alpine Club), A, Wigley (Tasman Ski Club), O. H. Frankel (Christchurch Ski Club), W. Myhre (Christchurch Ski Club), H. Wteley (Tasmau Ski Club). R. C. Murie (Ruapehii Ski Club), and J. Swan (Otago Ski Club). Twenty-five started at one minute intervals.

Women's Downhill Race.—Mrs. A. B. Edwardes (Christchurch Ski Club), 2.1S 4-5, 1; Miss P. Murphy (Mount Egmont Alpine Club), 2.22, 2; Miss J. Beale (Stratford Mountain Club), 2.50 2-5, S. Next to finish were:—Miss J. Murphy (Mount Egmont Alpine Club), Mrs. H. Richards (Windwhistle Winter Sports Club), Miss B. Blunden (Tasman Ski Club), Miss P. Bond (Ruapehu Ski Club). Fifteen started.

The Taranaki competitors raced for their home club, although several -also were members of the Ruapehu Ski Club. The slalom and long-distance events will be decided to-day.