Canterbury skiers lack preparation for titles

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31754, 10 August 1968, Page 11

Canterbury skiers lack preparation for titles

T3ECAUSE of the cancellation of the individual provincial championships, Canterbury skiers have had little opportunity to gain racing experience this season. This has put them at a considerable disadvantage in the South Island) championships which begin at Coronet Peak today and the New Zealand championships which follow on Monday. The only Canterbury events held so far are the Stamers Smith Memorial giant slalom and the Broken River giant slalom at the North Canterbury field. In the Stamers Smith Memorial giant slalom, the two Canterbury Olympic skiers competing, M. Gardner and C. Womersley, appeared to be trying to ski

too fast too early In the season and both came to grief.

P. Hubrich skied very well to win this race. With his experience of professional and amateur ski-ing, Hubrich will certainly be a big threat to the top racers at Coronet Peak.

The outstanding performance in this race was returned by Miss A. Reid, from Otago. A member of the 1968 Olympic ski-ing team, Miss Reid finished third, only ssec behind Hubrich. The women skied the same course as the men, so Miss Reid’s performance is very highly rated. In the Broken River giant slalom, M. Gardner skied a little slower but good enough to beat the field by 2sec. Miss R. Willis skied very well to beat Miss Reid by 2sec for first place in the women’s section. She is now living in Otago and has a very bright future.

Last week-end the Coronet Cup was held at Coronet Peak. Gardner won the event from a 'field with a display which marked him as a potential winner in the South Island and New Zealand titles. The skier to beat will be R. W. Palmer, who has had plenty of overseas racing experience behind him.

There are 44 entries in the men’s national events and 22 in the women’s section. P. Willis, the national slalom title-holder, is a non-starter. T. Huppert, the combined title-holder last year will also be missing. All members of the 1968 winter Olympic team are entered, with the exception of Huppert. Miss K. Guy, last year’s giant slalom champion is overseas. J. Cloudesley, Willis and J. Shiels will provide strong opposition to the Olympic skiers, Miss Reid and Miss M. Blakeley.