SKIING MAY BE DELAYED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31168, 19 September 1966, Page 3

SKIING MAY BE DELAYED

IBy Our Ski-ing Reporter I

MOUNT RUAPEHU.

Increasing snow showers and worsening visibility have made prospects gloomy for the New Zealand skiing championships, due to begin at Mount Ruapehu today.

The Nor.h Island championships were held there at the week-end in appalling conditions and with visibility often down to 20 yards. Conditions are not expected to improve for several days and today’s giant slalom may be postponed until later in the week. Although a number of leading skiers are absent, the racing should be of a high standard, particularly in the men's events in which there are more than 40 entries. Not Eligible South Island skiers were not eligible for the North Island titles, but raced in all events and adapted themselves quickly to the conditions. T. G. Huppert (Wellington) and Miss M. Blakely (Auckland) won the combined titles Huppert winning all his races. Mrs E. Agnew (Waikato), who won the giant slalom, in-

jured a leg and is a doubtful starter for the national event. She is the current Australian women's combined champion. Disqualified

Miss J. Matthews (Wellington), who won the Bata Cup in Canterbury two weeks ago, was disqualified in the slalom after she had been announced as runner-up for the combined title. Her disqualification on the gatekeeper’s card had been obliterated by the rain.

Mrs Agnew also missed a gate but on a section where there was no gate-keeper.

The snow is wet and sticky and the North Island courses, set by G. Nevell (Canterbury), found most of the racers lacking confidence.