SOUTH ISLAND SKIERS SET HIGH STANDARD

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31161, 10 September 1966, Page 11

SOUTH ISLAND SKIERS SET HIGH STANDARD

'J'HE high standard of the racing and the evident enthusiasm of the racers at the Bata Cup ski race meeting at Mount Cheeseman field last week-end should provide sufficient assurance that the race has established itself in the New Zealand ski racing calendar.

The meeting proved just how high the men’s racing standard is at the moment, and also the high level of competence attained by the administrators of ski-ing in Canterbury. It gained an added importance because a number of those who featured prominently in the races, notably J. Willis (Canterbury), A. Chance (Otago) and P. Willis (Canterbury), will not be attending the New Zealand championships at Mount Ruapehu later this month.

In the men’s events, the South Island’s skiers had a real field-day. Not only did South Island skiers win every male event, but they also took the first five places in the combined event.

This was not just a case of the South Islanders scooping the cream. Of the 22 entrants, 16 were from the South Island and not one of these was out of his depth. Eleven of these were Canterbury and, while a little local preference would have been understandable, not one racer

competed who did not, In the two days, justify his selection.

The reason for the depth and successes of South Island men’s ski-ing is not immediately apparent as the Islands are of about equal strength in the women’s section. Indeed, the North Island women are probably slightly stronger than their South Island counterparts.

However, the South Island was a little unlucky not to have more women selected. Misses H. Preston (Canterbury) and B. J. Findlay (Otago) must have been within an ace of selection and would by no means have lessened the over-all standard.

T. G. Huppert (Wellington), D. John (Taranaki) and G. Sommervaille (Auckland) worthily represented North Island ski-ing in the

men's events. Huppert must be considered the best racer in the North Island, now that P. P. Goldstern has gone ovearseas and R. W. Palmer has temporarily given up racing, and will be a strong contender at the nationals.

John is only 15 years old but raced with the skill of a veteran, while Sommervaille showed his true class in the giant slalom after a disappointing slalom. W. F. Hunt (Waikato) was the acme of consistency but M. Saxon (Taranaki) and B. Mitchell (Auckland) were disappointing.

The women’s combined title was won by Miss J. Matthews (Wellington), who has done nearly all her skiing in Canterbury. However, the slalom and giant slalom were won by Miss K. Guy (Canterbury) and Miss R. Willis (Canterbury), respectively. The principal reason for these strings of South Island successes may have

been the snow conditions. The snow was considerably harder than that generally experienced in the North Island, where it is inclined to be mushy and icy in places.

These are normal conditions for the South Island and require the racer to lean well forward. The occasional softer patch will put a racer completely offbalance in these conditions and this was what happened to M. Gardner (Canterbury) and A. Chance (Otago) in the slalom where both fell.

However, the skier who masters this aspect of technique will do well. This goes a long way towards explaining the successes of J. Willis (Canterbury), R. Womersley (Canterbury), P. Willis (Canterbury), G. Nevell (Canterbury) and T. Dunlop (Otago), who are all experienced racers in these conditions with a good basic technique as well. P. Hubrich (Otago) would almost certainly have joined this group had he not been disqualified.

The four racers who, this season, have shown themselves slightly faster than their opponents, raced less consistently as their balance was less sure. These were Chance, Gardner, M. Dennis (Canterbury) and C. Wornersley (Canterbury). They ski to the limit of their ability and so are more prone to error.

One final point emerged from the race. J. Willis made a mockery of the old racing adage that “you must race often to race well.” Willis fully deserved the Bata Cup, racing both superbly and consistently. Yet he has not entered a major race since the Broken River Trophy race in midJuly.

It only goes to prove that if a skier has a good technique and is fit, he must always be a threat to those who devote more time to the sport. Willis seems to be gradually fading out of ski-racing and taking over more administrative tasks, but he is still one of the best racers in the country.