N.Z. STANDARD LOW ‘Need More Ski-ing And Less Drinking’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30528, 25 August 1964, Page 17

N.Z. STANDARD LOW ‘Need More Ski-ing And Less Drinking’

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 24. The lack of discipline and the casual approach to the sport had resulted in New Zealand ski-ing being of a fairly low standard, members of the touring Swiss team indicated in Dunedin today.

The Dominion's best skiers would be about two levels below Switzerland's best, the team members said after their week at Coronet Peak. Comments from the men about New Zealand ski-ers included:

“They are just not fit enough.” “More training and more discipline is needed.” “They should do more skiing and less drinking.” Andreas Hefti, the team’s manager, said: “Skiers here

are just not fit enough and this can be a dangerous thing when one is on the snow." Serious Training

In Europe, skiers took themsleves very seriously and were regarded as “important people," Mr Hefti said. There was no drinking during training months and little time for entertainment. A member of the Swiss national team trained from November until March. Most of them worked in the summer months and spent the winter on ski fields in Switzerland, Austria, Italy or France. Mr Hefti realised that the sport was regarded in a much more casual way in New Zealand—“here you ski mainly for pleasure: we are really very earnest most of the time.”