Mahre twins to ski in N.Z.

Press, 2 August 1979, Page 30

Mahre twins to ski in N.Z.

Because of the lack of snow the first part of the Australian F.I.S. series has been cancelled and handed over to New Zealand. The slalom and giant slalom which were to have been raced at Perisher Valley on August 7 and 8 have now been set down for (Mount Hutt on August 9 and 10.

As far as New Zealand is concerned the best news is that the vaunted United Stated slalom-giant slalom team has already been diverted from Australia and will arrive in Christchurch on Saturday. This team, of course, includes the famous Mahre twins, Phil and Steve. Phil Mahre, aged 22, was ranked third over all on the last World Cup circuit and was second in slalom behind the great Swede, Ingemar Stenmark. The news was announced yesterday by Mr Kurt Lance, the International Ski Federation delegate at the Europa

| F.I.S. series now being run! at Mount Hutt. Negotiations have been at fever pitch over the last few days and the major problem of Mr Lance, also president of the Australian Ski Federation/ is getting the Australian contingent across the Tasman. The best that can be done so far is to get the Australians to Christchurch by Wednesday — and this was too late, he said. Strenuous efforts are being made to (get an earlier flight. The top American women in slalom and G.S. are already at Mount Hutt and Mr Lance said that the big Japanese team has agreed to stay on in New Zealand for the extra two races. Meanwhile, the Subaru downhill planned to be raced at Hutt today in the New Zealand series has been postponed until tomorrowafter mist and then snow prevented training runs yesterday. It is now hoped to run a men’s and women’s giant slalom today beginning at 11 a.m.