Ski-ing Canterbury Titles Held In Fine Weather

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29893, 6 August 1962, Page 3

Ski-ing Canterbury Titles Held In Fine Weather

In spite of snow which fell on Saturday night and yesterday morning both the Canterbury slalom and downhill championships were decided at the Broken River ski field of the North Canterbury Ski Club during the week-end. The weather did not clear until midday yesterday, although it had been fine all Saturday, and the downhill course which had been packed after the slalom race, had to be re-packed before the downhill could be run Because of the difficulties the downhill was shortened to about 800 vertical feet and each competitor made two runs. It was a fairly straightforward course, but one in which there were two or three deceptive corners which had to be taken wider than the terrain Indicated. It was a good test for the younger skiers and they showed well, and the second run enabled practically all competitors to improve on their earlier times. By the time the second runs were made the sun had gone off the snow and it had hardened considerably

The men’s downhill title was won by J Willis (Canterbury Winter Sports Club), who also recorded the fastest time of 99.55ec Willis made a polished showing and showed no signs of slackening his pace. G. Nevell of the same club was second, and although sligbtlj’ slower, put up a fine performance. P. Baudlnet (Craigieburn Valley Ski Club) was third with two very even runs. In the womens’ downhill, which was run over the same course as the men. K. Guy (Canterbury University Ski Club) had a clear lead over the other three competitors. She skied fast and well. H. Wills (North Canterbury Ski Club) was second and M. Wilson (Cralgieburn Valley Ski Club) was third. Miss Guy's fastest time was 134.95ec Under good snow conditions and a clear, sunny sky. the slalom championship was won on Saturday by M. WynnWilliains (Christchurch Ski Club) The course consisted of onlj’ about 30 gates but they were set strategically to give a testing and tricky run. The snow was fresh, but packed well. Wynn-Williams, a member of the New Zealand team which toured Australia last year, skied confidently and expertly and was followed in second place by P. Baudlnet, w’ho was also a member of the 1961 national team. Baudinet’s time was very close to the winners, a particularly good effort, as he has been ski-ing with an injured shoulder for the last fortnight There were several upsets. G Nevell (Canterbury Winter Sports Club', a strong contender for the title, missed a gate on one of his runs which disqualified him, and his club mate. J. Willis, did the same. He lost time in retracing his steps and was well down tn the list.

It was a grand day for junior skiers, and four of this year's McKenzie Scholars, R. Womersley (North Canterbury Ski Club). P. Thornton, and J. Thornton, and D Lvttle (all of Cralgieburn Valley "Ski Club), took third, fourth, fifth, and sixth places respectively. The standard of junior skiing In the last two years has shown a remarkable improvement. and they followed the seniors closely.

In the w omen’s slalom chamoi»*ship. A. Powell (Craigiebum Valley) took the title, although her first run Included a tirc-cor,sumln? fall. Her clubmate. M. Wilson, was second. tn suite of several falls, and H. Wills (North Canterbury) was third. K. Gay. the most accomplished skier in the women's event, missed a gate

and was disqualified. The women's event was run over the same course as the men’s. Fastest times were recorded by J. Thornton In the men’s race with 41.7 sec, and A. Powell in women's race with Baudlnet won the men's combined championship title. R. Womersley was second, and Wynn-Williams was third. J Thornton was fourth, and his brother, P. Thornton, fifth. In the women’s combined title H. Wills was first, M. Wilson second, and A. Powell third. There were 19 competitors in the men’s events and five tn the women’s. Results were:— Canterbury Men's Slalom.—M Wynn-Williams, 0 points. 1: P Baudlnet, 0.07. 2; R. Womersley, 0.72, 3: P. Thornton. 2.17. 4: J. Thornton, 2.39, 5. Canterbury Women’s Slalom. —A. Powell, 0 points, 1; M. Wilson. 3.2. i-, H. Wills. 20.45 . 3. Men’s Downhill.—J Willis. 0 points. 1; G. Nevell, 2 32 . 2: P Baudlnet, 6.36. 3: R. Womersley. 6.66. 4; M. Wyrm-WiUlsms 798 5 Women’s Downhill.—K. Guy. 0 points. 1; H Wills. 14.76. 2: M. Wilson. 49.03. 3: A Powell. ® 7 4. Men’s Combined Title.—P Baudinet. 6.43 points, I: R Womersley. 7 38. 2: M. WynnWilliams. 7.98. 3: J. Thornton. 12.99. 4 : P. Thornton. 16 01. 5 Women’s Combined Title.—H Wills. 35.21 points, 1; M. Wilson, 52 28. 2: A. Powell. 69.7. 3