PREPARATION ADVANCED FOR NATIONAL SKI TITLES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30200, 3 August 1963, Page 9

PREPARATION ADVANCED FOR NATIONAL SKI TITLES

AFORE than 2000 competi- •* 1 tors and spectators are expected to attend the national ski-ing championships at Coronet Peak, Queenstown, from August 17 to August 20. The downhill and slalom courses will be much the same as in other years, and should be among the most interesting events in New Zealand this year, said Mr Otto Van Allman (chief instructor at Coronet Peak) who will set the courses. The downhill will drop 1600 vertical feet, and will have eight gates, while the slalom will have 70 gates in a 600 feet drop. The giant slalom event will be as long as the downhill, but will have 75 gates, the maximum allowed.

“All events will be fast and difficult, and some fine racing should be seen.” said Mr Van Allman. "With a little more snow, the skiing conditions should be excellent.” Strong competition is expected from a large field of entries.

Among likely entries will be A. D. Coberger, of Canterbury, a former New Zealand title-holder, and T. Huppert, of Wellington, the present New Zealand downhill champion.

Organised by the Southern District Ski-ing Association, the championships will also include a ski jumping event, and a langlauf, a cross-country ski race. Entries for these

events are small, but more are expected before they close today.

Electronic timing devices, the most accurate available, have been borrowed from the Canterbury association. Ski-ing and accommodation facilities at Coronet Peak have been improved this year, for the national championships, with the installation of a new tow, and new buildings. Five tows operating on the field have a total lift of about 1500 vertical feet, and make about 200 acres of ground available for ski-ing. Hotels and boarding houses in Queenstown have heavy bookings for the week-end of the championships.