‘Tomorrow's skiers’ depart

Press, 5 December 1978, Page 34

‘Tomorrow ' s skiers ’ depart

Fourteen members of a “junior development” skiing group left New Zealand yesterday for nearly two months training at Keystone, Colorado. Pictured at Christchurch Airport are four Canterbury members of the squad, from left: Roland Kuhn (aged 17), Bill Brownlee, Allen Fraser and Dean Stewart (all 15). They are all receiving financial support from the New Zealand Ski Association, which regards them as the most promising of the group.

Only two North Islanders have been included and the three girls — Mandy Vryenhoek, Virginia Bush and Claire Acton-Adams — are all from Canterbury. The team will all be living in the same house and food, lift passes and coaching have been arranged. As well, daily gymnastic training and swimming have been organised. Coaching the skiers will be Dave Ingram, the American who taught racing at Mount Hutt last winter and acted as the

Canterbury Ski Association’s coach. Dr Joe Brownlee is the manager. The group,regarded as the “up-and-coming skiers of tomorrow,” should all benefit from the lengthy period at an area which is ideal for training. According to Dr Brownlee, it is possible to make about 520 m (1700 ft of man-made snow “as hard as they like” at Keystone and there is a short dual slalom area which can be operated under floodlights. “Last year they bought the famous Arapaho (“A”)

basin which runs up to 12,500 ft (about 3800 m) and always catches all the light snow.” In an average storm more than 60cm of snow is dropped on the “A” basin while Keystone gets 15cm. Keystone has eight chairlifts, with four serving the man-made area. In eight years November 20 has been the latest date for opening and there has never been a lift closed by wind or weather. “This is why we go there,” said Dr Brownlee.