SKI-ING No Races On Third Day Of Titles

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30214, 20 August 1963, Page 16

SKI-ING No Races On Third Day Of Titles

(From Our Own Reporter) QUEENSTOWN, August 19. There was no racing on the third day of the New Zealand ski championships at Coronet Peak today. Low cloud and falling snow brought visibility down to about 30ft late in the morning and a decision was made by the race committee at 2 p.m. to postpone all scheduled events.

The men’s and women’s giant slalom races will now be held tomorrow probably in conjunction with the men’s jump. The final of the inter-club sponsored giant slalom teams’ championship between Canterbury University Ruapehu, Wanganui, and Otago will also be held tomorrow. Prospects of the weather clearing by tomorrow are reasonable. Canterbury’s big hope in the men’s slalom championship, R. H. Womersley (North Canterbury), the present South Island slalom, downhill and c mbined champion, is not expected to start tomorrow, although he has not yet officially withdrawn. One of his legs was badly bruised when he crashed in the first section of the downhill at speed on Sunday It swelled considerably overnight and he was unable to be present at he ground today. Now all Canterbury’s chances of gaining the giant slalom title rest with A. Coberger (Christchurch), a former holder of the title, G Nevell (Canterbury Winter Sports), the Canterbury combined champion, and R. S. A Chaffey (Canterbury Winter Sports), a former Olympic representative. Coberger is seeded second behind P Quinn 'Stratford), who won the combined title earlier in the championships Other Canterbury competitors who could finish well up include J. Willis, P. Willis. M. Comer, (Canterbury Winter Sports), S. Stamers Smith, R. Lewis (University), C. Womersley, J. Lumsden (North Canterbury), C. R. Halstead (Tasman), W. Latham and J. Bristed (Christchurch) Forty-three entries have been received. Miss P. Prain (Southland), who won the combined

championship, is expected to dominate the women’s giant slalom. Miss K. Guy (North Canterbury), who is seeded fourth, could spring a surprise given the right conditions but so far she has not struck form. Three Canterbury competitors havg entered for the men’s lump. They are Nevell. J. Willis and P. Willis. Nevell, who is se :ded third behind A. Flower (Otago) and P. Crocker (Ski Club of "reat Britain), could win. He has had experience in New Zealand and on the Continent.