USING CRASH HELMETS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29525, 29 May 1961, Page 8

USING CRASH HELMETS

Competitors To Be Encouraged Competitors in the major ski racing events in New Zealand will be encouraged to wear crash helmets, particularly in downhill events. In his report to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Ski Association in Christchurch on Saturday, the president (Mr W. S. Long) said the council had decided to import a small number of approved crash helmets and to make them available to racers at a reduced Drice. “This will bring New Zealand into line with overseas racing practice. It is purely an introductory measure, but in future, racers will be left to make their own choice from local sports dealers of various types approved by the council.” said Mr Long. McKenzie Scholarship Reports from participants in the McKenzie scholarship scheme and from the instructors of the groups in 1960 were the best to date, said Mr Long. Selections had been well made and instruction raised to a high standard. “It must be gratifying for Mr Roy McKenzie, who founded the scholarship, to note that most of New Zealand's top skiers now have had at least one season as a trainee.

“In this tenth year of operation of the scholarship. Mr McKenzie is particularly keen to see an event held between the best four skiers in each island.”

Progress in the sport continued at a great rate and new facilities were being made available. This season a new Poma lift would be installed at Mount Ruapehu and plans were being made to provide a chair-lift at Co’-onet Peak, said Mr Long. “The treasurer’s report shows that we have sufficient funds in hand to meet all our commitments, but the completion of the Australian inter-Dominion tour, after the financing of the Olympic trio last year, will leave us rather short of travel funds. The members of this year’s team to Australia are being called upon to contribute a share of the cost themselves,” said Mr Long.