Goldstern Unbeatable For Combined Title

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30831, 17 August 1965, Page 17

Goldstern Unbeatable For Combined Title

(From Our Own Reporter) QUEENSTOWN, August 16.

P. Goldstern (Wellington) gained an almost unbeatable lead for the New Zealand combined ski-ing title when he won the men’s downhill in the national championships at Coronet Peak, Queenstown, today.

It was again New Zealand’s day. Only two Australians gained the first 20 in the men’s downhill and although an Australian, Miss D. Duff, won the women’s event, New Zealand gained nine of the next 10 places.

The visiting French team left Queenstown this afternoon and did not compete in the day’s races. Goldstern tore down the 1400 vertical feet of the men’s course but lost ground at the finish to R. Palmer (Auckland) and P. Willis (Canterbury), who were second and third respectively, because of a slight loss of control. Palmer. G. Chance (Otago) and A. Buist (Taranaki) all skied aggressively but only Palmer managed to beat Willis, who shower a superior judgment in following the fallline.

R. Chaffey completed a Queenstown downhill for the first time and, although he consciously restrained himself, he recorded one of the fastest times. Six Canterbury skiers finished among the top 12 men and a seventh, M. Gardner,

would certainly have joined this group if he had not sprained an ankle in practice. Gardner appeared even faster than Goldstern in practice. <

J. Pike (Wellington) crashed spectacularly at the “hurdle” and, with W. Hunt (Auckland) and three of the Australians was disqualified. Miss Duff, a stro-s and tall skier, was more than four seconds faster than any New Zealander until Miss J. Shiel (Otago), racing last, soared through the course to finish less than a second behind her. Miss A. Reid (Otago) deserved her third position as she showed good control but Miss P. Shiel (Canterbury) still managed to finish less than four seconds behind her, although she lost about seven seconds when she’ fell during the race.

Misses K. Guy and R. Arndt, both from Canterbury, skied well for their fourth and fifth places, respectively. As in the men’s event, Canterbury showed its depth of talent by gaining five of the top 11 places. DownhUl Results were: — Man P. Goldstern (Wellington), 70.3, 1: R. Palmer (Auckland), 71.4, 2: P. Willis (Canterbury), 73.1, 3; G. Chance (Otago), 74.3. 4; S. Brown (Australia), 75.8. 5; A. Buist (Taranaki), 77.3, 6; R. Womersley (Canterbury),

78.6, 7; B. Chaffey (Canterbury), 78.9, 8: M. Dennis (Canterbury), 79.8, 9: C. Start (Australia), 80.2, 10; G. Nevell (Canterbury), 80.3, 11; J. Williis (Canterbury), 80.4, 12; A. Dunlop (Otago), 82.5, 13; O. Clearkin (Auckland). 82.7, 14; P. Hubrich (Otago), 8312, 15.

Women D. McDutt (Australia), 64.05, 1: J. Shiel (Otago), 64.95. 2: A. Reid (Otago), 68.45, 3; K. Guy (Canterbury), 68.80 , 4; R. Arndt (Canterbury), 69.80, 5; P. Shlel (Canterbury), 72.05 , 6; E. Keane (Waikato), 73.05, 7; J. Foras (Australia), 74.15, 8 : J. Flower (Canterbury), 77.40, 9; B. Findlay (Otago), 77.70, 10; J. Matthews (Canterbury), 80.00, 11. WIDE OPEN

Goldstem has taken a clear lead in the combined with only the slalom to be run, but the women’s combined title is wide open at present. Although Miss Guy is leading by about six points, Misses J. Shiel and Reid are within 10 ooints of her. However. Miss Guy’s strongest event is the slalom which will be held on Tuesday. P. Willis, M. Dennis, and J. Willis are all high on the men’s list, with P. Willis just holding off Palmer for second place. Combined positions are:— Men.—Goldstern 0 points , P. Wffite 64.85, Palmer 70.88, Dennis 108.12, J. WBMo 118.78, Hubrich 129.32, Chance 136.64, Clearkin 164.85, Dunlop 169.10.

Women. —Guy 44.95, J. Shiel 50.54, Reid 54.82. Arndt 88.19, ;Keane 113.34, P. Shiel 122.93.