Olympic Ski Squad

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28896, 16 May 1959, Page 5

Olympic Ski Squad

With only nine months until the I’ 1960 winter Olympics are held at Squaw Valley, California, skiers throughout the country are anxiously waiting for some move on the part of the New Zealand Ski Association to implement its decision of last year “to make every effort to send a team.” Eighteen skiers are in the New Zealand Olympic training squad, but it appears that the final selection of skiers will be left to the national championship meeting at Coronet Peak in August. As yet, no annoucement on the number likely to make up the team has been made. The following are those in the Olympic training squad: W. F. I. Hunt (Taumarunui). Three times New Zealand men’s champion, he has captained the New Zealand team twice against Australia and competed at the 1952 Olympics, and the 1958 Commonwealth Winter Games. R. S. A. Chaffey (Blenheim). The present New Zealand champion, Chaffey has represented New Zealand twice, and he gave a good account of himself at the Commonwealth Winter Games last year.

M. Rich (Christchurch). Only 16, Rich is one of Canterbury’s most promising skiers.

John Godfrey (Christchurch). A New Zealand Universities’ representative, he is training hard after breaking a leg last season. John Willis (Christchurch). Willis would benefit greatly from Olympic competition. He’s now ranked among New Zealand’s top three men skiers. Julian Kirk (Dunedin). An outstanding skier who won the South Island title last year, Kirk is a

top university skier and captained the team against Australian Universities’ last year. Garry Collier (Hamilton). He represented New Zealand in 1956 and 1958. M. Goddard (Dunedin). He has twice represented New Zealand Universities. He is a strong slalom runner. O. Clearkin (Chateau). A secondary schoolboy who is rather young for Olympic competitions and lacking in experience. P. Quinn (New Plymouth). An outstanding young skier who sprained an ankle at the national championships last year. Miss W. Rose (Otago). New Zealand women’s champion in 1956. She has been instructing as a professional and may not qualify for inclusion. Miss P. Prain (Christchurch). The best-performed woman in New Zealand last season. She has great courage and would probably have the best chance of any New Zealander at Squaw Valley. Miss Anne Latham (Christchurch). Miss Latham has won titles with great regularity. As the New Zealand women’s captain, she must be highly considered. Miss P. Hall (Christchurch). Another young woman with vitality in her ski-ing. She represented New Zealand well last year. Miss Cleonie Shiel (Christchurch). Represented New Zealand Universities twice and was deprived of selection foibthe national team last year by a broken leg. Miss Cecilia Womersley (Christchurch). One of Canterbury’s top women, although only 16. A New Zealand representative last year. Miss E. Keane (Auckland) Represented New Zealand last year at 13J, becoming the youngest person ever to represent the country at ski-ing.