Mt Hutt suggested as academy site

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33944, 10 September 1975, Page 32

Mt Hutt suggested as academy site

(New Zealand Press Association; ASHBURTON. An Australian ski-ing coach, Mr Martin Kerscher, will be “very strongly” recommending Mount Hutt as the site for the proposed South Pacific Ski Academy.

Mr Kerscher was recently appointed as advisor to Mr Jim Collins, who controls the ski academy in America and intends forming one in the South Pacific.

The Australian ski-ing team is at present in New Zealand for the New Zealand national championships at Mt Hutt, where they have been training in preparation for the Winter Olympics at Innsbruck next year.

Mr Kerscher said Mt Hutt was an obvious choice, because of the facilities available and the long downhill slope. “I hope this is going to happen. It is definitely the ski-field to have the academy on,” said Mr Kerscher, "If Mt Hutt was developed a bit more it would be as good as anywhere else in the world.” The academy would attract skiers from all over the Southern Hemisphere, as Mt Hutt has the facilities, and also the city of Christchurch with its international air links nearby. Mr Kerscher also said that in the interest of New Zealand ski-ing, there should be more co-operation between New Zealand and Australian skiers. There should be more coaching sessions and travel to ski-fields between the two countries. ‘NO CO-OPERATION’ "There has been no cooperation in the past,” he said. “New Zealand ski-ing was not big enough. “It would be better for New Zealand skiers to come to Australia and learn a bit more,” he said. The five members of the Australian Olympic team should dominate the first three events at the New Zealand championships, reports Kevin Tutty, from Methven.

The Australians have impressed in training, and in time-trials for the downhill

race last week they were the fastest. Barring accidents only the top three or four New Zealanders would have a chance of extending them. The downhill today, the men’s slalom tomorrow, and the women’s slalom on Friday are the only events the Australians will compete in. They return home on Saturday. Dave Griff and Kim Clifford. (both Australia) have been the fastest in training over the downhill course in the last three days and will be favourites for the men’s title. N.Z. CHALLENGERS New Zealand has four skiers who will be strong challengers. Brett Kendall (Auckland), Stuart Blakely (Auckland), Shane Herbert (Otago) and Jon Jarvis (Hamilton), have all been performing well on the mile and a quarter downhill course. Kendall is the leading New Zealand skier this season and has the best chance of upsetting the expected Australian domination.

Hanlin Johnstone, the fastest of all New Zealanders, who injured a knee bone on Monday and is in hospital, will not race again this season.

The women’s downhill title should be a battle between Joanne Henke, an Australian, and Janet Wells (Otago). In time-trials Miss Henke was only o.3sec ahead of Miss Wells and in training over the last three days there has been little between them. The defending women’s national champion. Sue Gibson, and the youthful Canterbury girl, Julia Allison, recorded consistently good times in training. Fiona Johnson (Canterbury) and Jonelle Mills (Queenstown), who finished first and second respectively in the Coronet Cup at Coronet Peak last month, should have good chances of being placed. But they are more likely to show their ability in the slalom and the giant slalom later in the week. The same men expected to dominate the downhill race appear to have the best chances in the slalom and giant slalom, too. The giant slalom, though, will be an allNew Zealand affair with the Australians not competing. An interesting entry in the men’s downhill race is a former Canterbury champion, Bill Gardiner. He* has not

raced for several seasons, and his come-back will only be for the national championships. There are 76 entries in the downhill race today, and if there is no snow over-night the international-size course will be in excellent condition.