N.Z. SKI-ING TITLES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 214, 10 September 1935, Page 13

N.Z. SKI-ING TITLES.

OFFICIAL'S COMMENT. STANDARD GREATLY IMPROVED. Success from many points of view was claimed for the New Zealand Skiing championship meeting hold at Mount Cook last week, by Mr. G. G. Lockwood, secretary of the Ski Council of the New Zealand Federated Mountain Clubs, on Saturday. The meeting; he said, had shown a remarkable increase in the standard of the sport. It was favoured by excellent weather, and snow conditions were all that could be desired. As one striking indication of the advanced standard of ski-ing in New Zealand, Mr. Lockwood compared the times for the downhill race two years ago, when the championships were last held at Mount Cook, with the performances this year. In 1933, over the same course as that tised this time, the winner, 11. H. EI worthy, covered the distance in s.r>:> 4-5. This year H. Wigley's time was 3.25 4-5, and half a dozen other competitors had beaten Klworthy's time. Certainly snow conditions were rather bettor than in 1933, but the faster times showed a wonderful improvement. "The downhill was a great race," said Mr. Lockwood. "The course was two miles with a fall of 2000 ft, so you can imagine how fast the winners were travelling to cover the distance in under four minutes. Twenty competitors got away to a great start, and the first three men never fell at any stage. It was undoubtedly tho finest race in the history of the sport in New Zealand." Individual Performances. A. S. Wigley, winner of the combined event, and his brother, H. Wigley, winner of the downhill, had raced well. They had taken full advantage of their opportunities for frequent practice. The North Island party included some strong runners, but they found the snow different from what they were accustomed to. One competitor who impressed greatly was S. M. Watson, of the Aorangi Club, who had not previously raced in New Zealand, although he had had European experience. The Christchurch contingent was obviously suffering from lack of practice, and the strongest of them, AV. B. Myhre, Christchurch Ski Club champion, was definitely off colour. There were some interesting features in the elalom event, which was decided over two rune. For the first run the snow was wet and easy. The second run was over icy surface, which suited the North Islanders better. The conditions were handled well on both runs. In the first run, there were only two seconds between the first four to finish. The long distance race wae run over a shorter but more varied course, than' in 1933, providing a better test. A. S. Wigley was the winner, but B. Murphy (Ruapehu Club) gave him a great run for it and the result was in doubt to the last minute. Jumping Event. Mr. Lockwood was enthusiastic concerning the jumping event. This was expected to be a walk-over for H. Wigley, but the others put up good performances and it was only with his third jump that Wigley established a lead. The jump built wae small and the euccess of the competitors enlisted tho interest of the CO ski-ers who watched the event. "Tliis is a branch of the sport in which, we can expect a great development," Mr. Lockwood added. A disappointment in the women's section was the absence of the Misses Murphy (North leland), who were such strong rivals of Mrs. A. B. Edwardee last year. Miss Joyce Beaie, also a N"orth Islander, was closest to Mrs. Edwardes this year, although Mrs. 11. Richards also ran very well. In the downhill, Miss Boale had the wrong wax on hep ekis. She never got going properly and finished third, over a minute behind Mrs. Edwardes. Mrs. Richards lost v. ski in this race. Miss Beale beat Mrs. Edwardes in the slalom, in which Mrs. Edwardes incurred three penalties, costing her 18 seconds. "Mies Beal'e is improving steadily," Mr. Lockwood added. "She was excellent in the slalom, running steadily, like a man."