Revised ski-ing programme

Press, 16 September 1976, Page 36

Revised ski-ing programme

From Kevin Tutty Methven

A revised programme will : now be held to decide the 1976 New Zealand ski-ing champions, after the first ■ event, the downhill, was cancelled at Mount Hutt yesterday. For the third successive day, racers were unable to train for the downhill and because of the shortage of time — two days training is required for the downhill — the event was cancelled, and an alternative programme agreed to. While the Mount Hutt field was open on Monday and Tuesday, it was closed completely yesterday. Visibility was limited because of heavy cloud, and high winds and snow made conditions very trying. It is the first time since 1969 that a New Zealand championship event has had to be cancelled. The alternative programme will now consist of a slalom today — provided the weather clears — a giant slalom tomorrow, another slalom on Saturday, and a giant slalom on Sunday. The first two events will count for the New Zealand combined title. All four events plus the combined title will carry points for the Reizenstein Cups. Stuart Blakely, who represented New Zealand at the winter Olympic Games at Innsbruck last February, and was one of the favourites to win the men’s title, will not ski in the championships. He injured ligaments in a foot earlier this week and decided to rest it rather than risk further injury.