Film puts N.Z. 'on the map’

Press, 2 September 1977, Page 21

Film puts N.Z. 'on the map’

VIEWS From the top

Jeff Campbell, an American, and Blair Trenholme. a Canadian, had ‘ the time of their lives” as they skied and flew their hang-gliders in the Mount Cook National Park during the filming of ‘‘Off the Edge.” That is what the credits said at the end of the New Zealand-made film, which won an Academy Award nomination earlier this year. It did seem that the pair had the proverbial ‘•ball.” although not all the frustrations and mishaps of nine months of filming in the area were shown. It took a long time for "Off the Edge" to reach Christchurch. When this week’s special preview finished, there was some spontaneous applause from enthusiasts who appreciated the beautiful photography and scenery m Mike Firth’s film. But. according to John Armstrong, head of the Mount Hutt ski school, “Off the Edge” received a better reception when it was shown in Colorado several months ago. It is perhaps a truism of New Zealanders that we do not appreciate or even recognise places, people, and things at our own back door. One possible criticism of the film was the narration. which often tended to the melodramatic, but the production was fraught with danger — notably when the pair, previously soaring on •heir hang-gliders, were caught by a down-draft in a canyon and got too close to an avalanche. For those who have not seen the film. Campbell looks a little like the controversial fonder national champion. Jon Jarvis, only

with a little less hair on top. Trenholme, who wears glasses, is neater in appearance but skis just as aggressively. Ski-ing takes up the greater portion of the 80min film and there were some great sequences. But for me the hang-gliding segment was by far the most enlightening and inspiring as the pair attempt to go off the edge of human endeavour. "Seeing the land just as the birds see it” made for some exciting photography as Campbell and Trenholme chased thar, flew boldly, or “drifted like Icarus.” John Hanlon’s song. “Higher Trails.” helped to put across the feeling of freedom the pair said they experienced by overcoming their fears. It was quite an education for a non-hang-glider pilot to observe what was involved in putting a thing with 240 sq ft of sail together. There are some nice humorous touches during the ski-ing section, notably’ the problems of Campbell and Trenholme with what they describe as "the highest outhouse in New Zealand” — after a severe storm at one stage everything ices up and the door will not open. All types of snow — powder, breakable crust, glacial ice — are sometimes experienced m rapid succession. For the two visitors gliding on snow that feels like silk provides tremendous skiing but moving on shifting ice is a more challenging experience. The first sequence of this film literally puts New Zealand on the map and “Off the Edge” is good enough to do this figuratively as well.

The world professional ski tour has attracted a lot of brilliant racers in the past but it is not for Ingemar Stenmark, the world cup holder.

Stenmark, who is at Mount Hutt this week for the international series, says he has no intention of ever joining the tour because of the racing system that is peculiar to it.

“They have only dual slalom (and giant slalom) and the course is not the same — it is set too straight,” said the 21-year-old Swede.

“You only ski straignt — there are no turns.”

Some Australian university jkiers who are langlauf experts may be competing in the annual skm Snowline Sport crosscountry race from Craigieburn Valley to Broken River on Sunday. The few skiers who have contested the race on langlauf skis in the past have found trouble keeping up on the downhill stretches but the Australians do not expect undue problems if they take part.

Last year, the race had a record entry of 92 and the organisers are expecting at least a comparable entry this time, providing there is good weather and snow conditions.

The event is open to skiers of all abilities as long as they are over 13, complete the entire course on skis, and do not use any type of climbing skins.

Mike Fidork, the Canadian ski instructor at Broken River who won the open men’s section last year, is again competing and will be out to beat the record of 17min 15sec after missing out by Msec last year.

Also taking part will be Alison Powell (Craigieburn Valley), winner of the women’s section for the last three years, and the junior title-holder, David Sampson (Craigieburn Valley).

Trophies are awarded to the first place-getter in each of the four sections — open, junior, veteran, and women — and there are also trophies for clubs and families — the first three members to finish are points-scorers. The winner of the men’s open grade receives the Snowline Sport gold cup and the best woman gets the Snowline Sport rose bowl. Juniors must be under 18 on September 30 and veterans over 40 on June

Cross-country pins will be awarded to all who complete the physically demanding course. A feature of the race will be

the mass start, uphill. Entries will be accepted up to an hour before the start of the race at 12 noon.

The organisers want to get skiers going in the event for the experience of the tour — not just the “racers.”

Scott Kendall, Warwick Brown, and Julian Morris all improved their F.I.S. start points when the New Zealand team competed in the recent international ski-ing races at Thredbo. Kendall lowered his points in the slalom, while Brown and Morris both improved theirs in the giant slalom.

Compulsory military training might have been abolished in New Zealand five years ago but it remains very much part of life for Swedish youths — even world ski-ing champions.

Ingemar Stenmark finished four months of military service shortly before he came to New Zealand for the races at Mount Hutt. He had three months in service training last year as well.

He is now 21 — military service starts at 18 — and has finished most of his training, with perhaps only four or five three-week periods left in the Swedish Army.