SUMMIT CLEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 207, 2 September 1936, Page 18

SUMMIT CLEAR.

RUAPEHU SPORT.

SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS. PROPOSALS FOR FUTURE. > (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THE CHATEAU, Tuesday. Although the weather was much better to-day than for more than a week and the summit of R'unpehu was clear for the first time during the winter sports meeting, an exceedingly strong and bitterly cold wind made it impossible to continue the inter-Dominion ski contest. The Ruapchu Ski Club men's and women's slalom championships were held, however, on a comparatively short slope sheltered from the wind near the Salt Hut.

Indications were for a spell of fine weather and, after the recent snowfall, some splendid ski-ing should be seen. ]t is possible to ski right from the Salt Hut to the -Chateau, and visitors to-day were even ski-ing on the golf links in front of the Chateau. There is still time to complete the interDominion contest, as the Australian tetun will not leave until Thursday. It is possible that some of the visitors will stay longer, but it is stated definitely that they will not race at Mount Cook. None of the New Zealand team has yet been obliged to leave, although some are staying on at personal inconvenience. The Ruapehu Ski Club men's slalom championship resulted in a very close contest between B McMillan and B. Murphy, the former just winning through a very fast and daring second run in which he staked all on not falling. Miss P. Murphy won the women's event, her time being better than that of many of the men. ills. T. W. Mitchell, of Victoria, who is a club member, was second, beating Miss J. Murphy, runnerup in the New Zealand women's slalom championship. Details are: —

Men's Slalom. —B. McMillan (Stratford), 1.6 1-5 for two descents, 1; B. Murphy (Wellington), 1.8. 2: J. D. Murphy (Kaponga), 1.25. 3. The next best were: H. Tihlurv (Wellington), 1.44 4-5; H. Snowden (Inaha), 1.50 1-5. Women's Slalom. — Miss P. Murphy (Kaponga), 1.32 2-5 for two descents, 1; Mrs. T. W. Mitchell (Victoria), 1.59 4-5. 2; Miss .T. Murphy (Kaponga), 2.2 2-5, 3. The next best was Miss M. Goodwin (Auckland), 3.18 2-5. The scheme to hold a Pan-Pacific slci meeting in New Zealand in 1938 was advanced a further stage, when the proposal was discussed by its originator, Mr. 'J'. W. Mitchell, the Australian skier, with the general manager of the Tourist Department, Mr. L. J. Schmitt, who visited the Chateau. Mr. Mitchell said Mr. Schmitt was of the opinion that ski-ing was a sport worth encouraging, and that a Pan-Pacific meeting would be an excellent way of doing it. Mr. Schmitt made an offer to find the accommodation expenses of an American team visiting New Zealand to participate in such a meeting. "This is a good step forward," said Mr. Mitchell, "as we now have something definite to offer the Americans. The Australians and the New Zealand controlling bodies can take the matter up with them with this indication of support."