Two U.S. ski teams for Hutt

Press, 2 July 1979, Page 3

Two U.S. ski teams for Hutt

The United States has obviously heard positive things about Mount Hutt as a summer training venue judging by its confirmation of a second women’s team for the Europa F.I.S. (International Ski Federation) series at Mount Hutt this month. A total United States contingent of 29 including 16 racers, is now expected by the organising committee which received the entries of Holly Flanders, Jamie, Kurlander, Cindy Oak and Roxanne Toly during the weekend. Little is known of Ms Oak’s ability but the other three all finished in the top 25 on the 1978-79 World Cup downhill circuit. The best-placed was Ms Flanders who was fifteenth in downhill, twenty-eighth in giant slalom and was ranked equal twenty-eighth over-all in the World Cup standings. Ms Kurlander, aged 21, was twenty-second in downhill, highly placed in giant slalom, and a high thirteenth in the four World Cup events set aside for combined points.

This team will be accompanied by a coach, Mr Michel Rudigoz, a team doctor and his wife, and a United States ski administrator, Mr Bill Moral!, who will look after the whole group.

The women’s “B” team is coming to New Zealand only and will return home on August 7 soon after the end of the series, scheduled from July 24 to August 2. Members of the “A” team leave on August 4 for the Australian F.I.S. series. It is believed that the Mount Cook Company might invite some “B” team members down to Coronet Peak after the Mount Hutt series and they might race in the Coronet Cup there on August 4 and 5. Previously confirmed entries from the United States were a strong men’s downhill team of six and a team of six women, headed by the world’s fourth-ranked downhiller, Cindy Nelson.

Ski racers from Canada, Japan and Australia will also contest the series with New Zealanders.