Attractive N.Z. ski series

Press, 15 December 1979, Page 64

Attractive N.Z. ski series

By

TIM DUNBAR

Next winter’s Europa F.I.S. series in New Zealand should be a most attractive proposition for overseas ski-ing nations because of the setting up of a vastly extended circuit of international races. Three F.I.S. (International Ski Federation) series have now been held in New Zealand and in each case Mount Hutt has been the sole venue. However, the New Zealand Ski Association and the series sponsor. Europa Oil, jointly announced in Wellington yesterday that the 1980 series would take place at three venues—Mount Hutt Coronet Peak and Turoa. The enlarged series will last from July 28 to August 15 and will take in both a down hill circuit and a

slalom-giant slalom circuit. A little doubling up will thus be involved with a slalom, for example, being run at one venue while a country’s downhill team is competing elsewhere. Downhill races — three altogether—will be contested only at Mount Hutt and Turoa (near Ohakune) with the slalom events at all three venues. The overlapping has been included to cater especially for overseas teams such as the United States, which brought a big contingent to Mount Hutt during the winter. As requested, the circuit set-up will mean neither of the teams (downhill or slalom-g.s.) will be involved’ for more than a fortnight—■ and, snow and weather per-

mitring, the variety of venues should stave off boredom. One of the top American women racers, Heidi Preuss, told "The Press” after the 1979 series finished: “It was beautiful here, but we just got. stuck in one place.” I Expansion of the circuit has been made possible by a considerable increase of sponsorship. In 1979 Europa’s sponsorship was 86000; next year it will be something like three times that figure. “We’re starting to look like a European country,” said a delighted Mr lan Borrin. the president of the N.Z.S.A. Ten years ago, he said, people predicting international races here by the end of the 1970 s—let alone at three venues—would have

5 been regarded as “boozy dreamers.” i “We’re still a long way , away from the gold medals ; of the European snow couns tries —but this is the only t way to make progress. International races here will prot vide a stimulus for New i Zealanders to enter the f sport of ski-ing—both re--5 creational and competitive,” t said Mr Borrin. ’ The full programme for the New Zealand series is:— c July 28 to August 3, two ’ downhills, Mount Hutt; i August 1 to August. 3, slalom- ? giant slalom. Coronet Peak; August 5 to August 9. slalom- , giant slalom. Mount Hutt; - August 5 to August 9. downJ hill, Turoa: August 11 to !j August 14, slalom-giant | i 1 slalom, Turoa. I