Warm conditions upset Japanese ski racers

Press, 15 August 1980, Page 20

Warm conditions upset Japanese ski racers

By TIM DUNBAR Recreational skiers were not the only ones disappointed by the nor-west-erly conditions that closed the 1 Mount Hutt field on Tuesday and Wednesday. Also a little frustrated by the weather were the first of three groups of Japanese junior racers who are training at Mount Hutt over a three-week period. The first influx consists of 44 racers; next week there will be 72, and then 30 more the week after that. All these skiers will be staying at Pudding Hill. They are sponsored by one

of Japan’s largest trading companies, Mitsui, which calls the venture a “first world training camp.” Among the coaches with the team are Ichimura, a former Japanese Olympic skier, Naotada Hirasawa who made a ski-ing movie in New Zealand last year. One of the most interesting aspects of the venture is that Air New Zealand (Japan) has donated three trophies for a “big race” and the Mount Hutt ski school has agreed to run a two-run giant slalom event (with 40 gates) this Saturday. All the boys and girls are

aged between 10 and 18 and are looking for some New Zealand opposition of similar ages for the "inte.fnational friendship race.” The. first three place-getters will win the trophies, whatever their nationalities.

Unfortunately, the meeting co-incides with the South Island junior championships at Lake Ohau and the Qantas Cup national circuit race at Whakapapa (Mount Ruapehu). Other New Zealand teenagers are expected to be available, however, and registration will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday.