Top British skier first confirmed entrant

Press, 17 June 1980, Page 38

Top British skier first confirmed entrant

By

TIM DUNBAR

A British ski racer who bears the rather unlikely name of Konrad Bartelski is the first confirmed entrant for the 1980 Europa F.I.S. series in New Zealand. Bartelski, the 26-year-old son of a Polish pilot (now retired), is Britain’s best-per-formed male ski racer in an Olympic downhill event. He achieved this distinction at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics last February when he came twelfth, a creditable 3.03 s behind the gold medallist, Leonhard Stock (Austria). It was Bartelski’s third Olympics in the British colours though he had been banished. from the team in 1978 after a split with its Austrian trainer. In that year he went alone to the world championships at GarmischPartenkirchen and finished « ; xteenth in the downhill.

Bartelski’s performance at Lake Placid was described as “incredible” by the continentals, according to Chris-.

topher Brasher in the “Observer.” The pleasing news that Bartelski was coming was received at the week-end by the chairman of the organising committee, Mr John Vryenhoek. He was also advised in the phone call from

Britain that a trainer would accompany the racer. Since the inauguration of the New Zealand F.I.S. (International Ski Federation) series in 1977. events have been restricted to Mount Hutt, but this year the series (from July 28 to August 15) has been extended to Turoa and Coronet Peak. "Quantitively, this is going to be the best series we’ve had,” Mr Vryenhoek said. Japan has said it will send

an enlarged team of 25 (“including our 20 best racers”), the Australians .. have just confirmed their participation and the -United' States and. Canada would also' like to send big contingents—if air fares allow. . Even if ' the‘ Canadians

have to limit team numbers Mr Vryenhoek is confident that its top downhill specialists, Steve Podborski (the surprise Olympic bronze medallist) and Ken Read, will come back to race against Bartelski. Rather fainter possibilities are skiers from Switzerland, Yugoslavia, and little Liechtenstein, whose major drawcards would be the famous Hanni Wenzel (two golds and a silver at Lake Placid)

and her brother, Andreas (a silver).. Communications with the Yugoslavs has been difficult; partly-because of language problems. Mr Vryenhoek said that it was almost certain that the Australian F.I.S. series (normally held in conjunction with the New Zealand) would be’ cancelled this year. ‘Still the .Australia-New Zealand Cup circuit has now been given official status by the F.I.S. and four of the events in this country will be. “inflation races” for the New Zealanders. ! The four events selected will have equal status with the Europa and Nor-Am Cups overseas, giving skiers here a better chance of signifiicantly reducing their start points. Over the next few days the organising committee will have to decide which

four acres of the nine planned will receive the higher status. “My own feeling is that three G.S. (giant slalom) races should be included to help guys like Scott Kendall, Dean Stewart and Allan Fraser,” Mr Vryenhoek said. He also announced that the series organisers would be getting “tremendous assistance from the army.” At Mount Hutt, for example, a total of 35 soldiers (20 from Bumham and 15 from the Signal Corps in Auckland) will assist in the running of the races. In return the men will get a “proper” training programme in ski-ing and mountain safety.

Members of the crack! S.A.S. unit will be helping out at Coronet Peak this year with about 20 regular Royal New Zealand Air Force cadets from Waiouru going to the Turoa penue.