Sun shines on skiers

Press, 18 September 1976, Page 4

Sun shines on skiers

From KEVIN TUTTY Methven After four days of indifferent weather, the sun finally shone for the organisers of the New Zealand ski-ing championships at Mount Hutt yesterday, but they could not complete the scheduled programme. The organisers — to make up for lost time — intended to hold a second run in the slalom yesterday and a giant slalom, but they were able to hold only the second run of the slalom.

The radio telephones that officials used on the field were late in arriving. They had been sent to Christchurch to have their channels changed after interfering with a Timaru company’s equipment the previous day. The leaders after the first run of the slalom continued their good form yesterday and won the national titles. Fiona Johnson (Canterbury) won the women’s event by more than 3sec, having the fastest time in both runs.

Robin Armstrong (Tara-

naki) had the best time in the first men’s run but yesterday his lead was hauled back greatly by his feliowNew Zealand representative, Brett Kendall (Ruapehu). Kendall had the fastest time on the day — his 54.85 sec was almost 2sec ahead of the next best time, by the improved Canterbury team member, Julian Morris, his time was 56.565ec. Armstrong was fortunate in the first rum in that he was able to ski the course with good visibility. He had a comfortable lead, but yesterday took the course a little easier and made two errors in the middle section and finished with the third best time. The giant slalom today will see an interesting duel between Armstrong and Kendall. Kendall is marginally a better giant slalom skier than Armstrong, but the latter is far from a novice, especially when the combined New Zealand title is at stake. Kendall said after the second run of the slalom yesterday he realised that he was several seconds In arrears of Armstrong and sought to make it up. He attacked the course as Armstrong

did on the first day and achieved the desired result.

Morris, with a forceful second run yesterday, kept himself in contention for a major place in the combined championship. He had the second fastest time and finished second over-all in the slalom.

There was less than Isec between the first three men. Armstrong had a combined total of Imin 54.835ec. Morris was o.46sec behind, and Kendall o.9ssec behind.

Miss Johnson, who had the fastest times in both runs of the slalom, finished 3.275ec ahead of the runner-up. Julia Allison, her Canterbury team-mate. The defending national champion, Anna Archibald (Canterbury), was 4.slsec behind Miss Johnson and will have a difficult task making up the lost time in one run of the giant slalom to regain the national title.

It was unfortunate the down, hill had to be cancelled earlier this week because it is one of Miss Archibald’s stronger events and one where she stood to gain ground on Misses Johnson and Allison. Margot Smith, another young Canterbury skier, returned two consistent times and took fourth place in the combined totals. Jonelle Mills (Queenstown) was expected to provide tougher opposition for the Canterbury girls, but it did not materialise.

The organisers will hold a giant slalom today, with one run for the women and two for the men. Tomorrow they will hold another slalm.