Sid switch to giant slaloms

Press, 3 August 1983, Page 40

Sid switch to giant slaloms

By

TIM DUNBAR

Plans by officials to run the first of the international downhills at Mount Hutt today have now been put aside and the actual racing in the 1983 Europa F.I.S. ski-ing series may now begin with men’s and women’s giant slaloms. Teams were hoping to have a timed run through the full downhill course, with a vertical drop of 650 m, yesterday but the condition of the snow was unsuitable.

One full training day is still required before a downhill race can be held and it was decided to delay that part of the programme and, if weather permits, run a giant slalom for men and women today. The women’s runs are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and the men’s at 10.45 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.

During the break between the first and second runs the seventh F.I.S. series will be officially opened by the Minister of Tourism, Mr Talbot, in a brief ceremony at 12.45 p.m. If the mountain is closed proceedings will take place in Methven. A huge start list of 100 men and 34 women has been drawn up for today’s giant slaloms.

The first seeding group for the men’s event is made up of nine Australians and six West Germans with the 1980 Olympic downhill champion, Leonhard Stock, the first through the gates. In the women’s event the United States women’s team dominates and the present World Cup champion, Tamara McKinney, has drawn No. 1. Kate Rattray, who will start No. 11, will be the first New Zealander in action.