SKI-ING

Evening Star, Issue 23354, 25 August 1939, Page 14

SKI-ING

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DR FRANK WINS MEN'S STRAIGHT RACE [Per United Press Association.] THE CHATEAU, August 24. A new figure entered l New Zealand ski-ing this week with the success of Dr W. Frank, of Cambridge, in the men’s straight race, the first event of the national ski-ing championships, which were opened at Ruapehu to-day. Dr Frank was formerly in Austria, and has been in New Zealand only nine months. In spite of only two days’ practice in that time, he beat Bryan Murphy, of Wellington, by lOsec, his time being little more than that of Franz Skhrdarasy, the Austrian professional at The Chateau, who set the course. Dr Prank has a grand style of ski-ing, and over the last few hundredl feet clapped on the pace. The women’s straight race was won by Miss Joan Murphy, of Taranaki. Although she had been in bed for several days -with severe influenza, she and her sister Pat, who was second, and Mrs Ely were of a higher standard than the other women competitors. There was a fair representation of Dominion ski-ers, but there were fewer South Island runners than usual. Results;— Men’s Straight Race.—Dr Frank (Ruapehu Ski Club), Imin 57.35ec, 1; Brvan Murphy (Ruapehu Club), 2min 7 Bsec. 2; C. Amburv (Stratford Mountain Club). 2min 33.8 sec, 3; T. Keogh (Ruapehu Club), 2min 47sec. 4; A. M. Collier (Tasman Ski Club), 3min 16.2sce. 5; J. Swan (Otago Ski Club), 3min 35.8 sec 6. Women’s Straight Race.—Joan Murphv (Ruapehu Club), 2min 20see, 1; Pat Murphv (Ruapelm Club), 2min 33,25ec, 2; Mrs Ely (Ruapehu Club), 2min 44,45 cc. 3. Following frost and a fall of snow last night the snow was in perfect condition after the sun had been on it to-dav. The weather was brilliantly sunny. Bryan Murphy, who has represented New Zealand, skied excellently and was little below Dr Frank’s class. Neither had a fall, but Ambury had had luck, a heavy fall robbing him of precious seconds. T. Keogh, a young ski-er, did well to be fourth. The men’s ski-ing generally was of a high standard aik 1 was equal to that of former years. The course was a thorough but not difficult test of more than 2.000 ft, and all the competitors ran well.