Superiority Of N.Z. Ski-ing

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30841, 28 August 1965, Page 11

Superiority Of N.Z. Ski-ing

N’EVER before has a New Zealand ski-ing team established so clear a margin of superiority against Australia as it did at Coronet Peak, Queenstown, last week-end. Not only did the New Zealanders win every one of the four events in the inter-Dominion tournament, but seldom did the Australians provide any real challenge in the New Zealand championships held immediately beforehand. Having beaten Australia by a margin of 26.40 points, the attention of the leading racers will be turned to the prospect of a trip to Chile for the world championships next year. At the recent annual meeting of the New Zealand Ski Association in Dunedin. the president, Mr S. B. Boyd, said that two New Zealand skiers would be sent to Chile “if current standards are maintained.” Current standards were maintained at Queenstown and, in fact, it is doubtful if the men’s standard has ever been higher. The association hinted that it was particularly interested in the form of P. P. Goldstern (Wellington) and R. W. Palmer (Auckland) and as these two were first and second respectively in the men’s combined, their chances of making the trip must have been enhanced. No-one who saw the championships would doubt that Goldstern is now New Zealand’s leading skier. Although his wins in the giant slalom and downhill were by relatively small margins, and his sixth in the slalom came as a sur-

prise to many, he skied well enough to win by a clear points tally and he never looked in the slightest danger of falling except at the bottom of the downhill. Now aged 24, Goldstern is at the peak of his powers. Aged only 18, Palmer appears a great prospect His form at Queenstown was notable for consistency rather than brilliance, but his second in the downhill was a fine effort. If these two were the most consistent they faced severe opposition.

G. Nevell (Canterbury) wag just too good in the slalom and concentrated on finishing rather than winning the downhill. M. Dennis (Canterbury) looked an even better giant slalom exponent than Goldstern while M. Gardner (Canterbury') seemed faster than anyone in the downhill practice. P. Hubrich (Dunedin) disappointed slightly and J. Pike (Wellington) seemed

intent on killing himself, but P. Willis (Canterbury) added to his reputation as a top-line performer. The standard of the women’s events was not a high

one but Misses K. Guy (Canterbury) and A. Reid (Dunedin) added to their reputations. Like Goldstern, Miss Guy concentrated on winning rather than ski-ing fast. Her extreme caution in the downhill was a little unfortunate from the spectator point of view but she still finished fourth. Miss Reid skied well in both giant slalom and downhill and had made her mark on the championships long before her disqualification in the slalom. Miss E. Keane (Waikato) seemed unfit while Miss PShiel (Canterbury) was unlucky to fall in the downhill and giant slalom. Miss J. Shiel (Otago) skied well only in the downhill but Miss R. Arndt (Canterbury) skied attractively. That the New Zealand women defeated Australia was more a reflection on the weakness of the Australians than the strength of the New Zealanders.