AUSTRALIAN SKIER FASTEST ON MT. RUAPEHU

Grey River Argus, 28 September 1949, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN SKIER FASTEST ON MT. RUAPEHU

Yesterday’s Contests

P.A. NEW PLYMOUTH, Sept. 27. A brilliant performance by the Australian skier, T. Aslungul, who, in returning the fastest time in the men’s slalom, after incurring a sixsecond penalty, revealed himself as one of the finest slalom skiers to compete in New Zealand, was the highlight of th e men’s and women’s slalom events in the New Zealand-Australia inter-Dominion ski contest, which began at Mount Ruapehu.

Australia was successful in the men’s contest. New Zealand won the women’s event.

Despite the unfavourable weather conditions which caused the postponement of the event on Saturday and Sunday, and the strong wind that was blowing yesterday, the snow remained in good condition for racing, and the standard of skiing was high. An improvement in the weather this morning was welcomed by the skiers, and it was decided by the race committee to conduct th e slalom. No sooner had the women’s event begun, however, than the weather deteriorated almost as suddenly as it cleared, and, besides forcing th e many spectators to seek shelter, and sending many of them away, a hovering mist frequently descended over tine course. The officials were obliged to record the times by radio telephone. The race began at a point at an altitude of about 7000 feet, and ran down a course of 700 feet descent in a distance of three-quarters of a mile.

The outstanding performance of the day was that of Aslungul, who ran a thrilling race to record the fastest time. When skiing confidently, Aslungul ran foul of one of the flags, when attempting to negotiate a tricky turn. However, he made a brilliant recovery, and he carried on to complete his two runs in 2min 54 sec, which included a six-second penalty. The Wellington skier, R. McKenzie, who finished third in the men’s event, was the outstanding New Zealand performer, and A. Hayward (Taihape) also put up a'good performance. McKenzie, who recently won the North Island combined slalom and downhill event at Mount Egmont, completed his two runs in 3min 5 1-5 sec.

The Lonsdale brothers, of Queenstown, and the Queenstown emergency, J. Mills, were rather disappointing, and did not ski up to their usual standard. They all displayed signs of staleness. The outstanding competitor in the women’s event was the New Zealand representative, Mrs C. Gilkison, of Dunedin, who returned the fastest time, to beat the Australian, Miss E. McEvoy. Mrs Gilkison skied consistently and made two fin e runs. Miss McEvoy was by far the best of the Australian women.

Miss H. Alanson (National Park) ran well to secure third fastest time, but it was evident that her two accidents during the last 12 months had robbed her of much of her confidence. Another Australian who ran well was Mrs M. James, who displayed much better form than she did at Queenstown. The Taranaki competitor, Miss P. McNab, who returned fifth fastest time, ran steady races, and in such a strong class her performance was a creditable one. Championship points were decided on the five best times out of six in the men’s events, and the best three of four times in the women’s event. The results, with the times for the two runs shown separately, and the total time of eacli competitor in that order, were:— MEN T. Aslungul (Australia): lmin 20 sec; lmin 21sec; 2min 54sec (plus six second penalty)—l. R. Arnott (Auctralia) 1.2'8, 1.35; 3.3 2. R. McKenzie (Wellington) 1.35 1-5, 1.30; 3.5 1-5—3. A. Hayward (New Zealand) 1.35, 1.32 4-s;* 3.7 4-5—4. S. Lonsdale (New Zealand) 1.43 2-5, 1.39 2-5; 3.22 4-5—5. T. Alston (Australia) 1.57 4-5, 1.31 1- 3.29—6. J. Pattinson (Australia) 1.42' 1-5, 1.47 2-5; 3.29 3-5—7. M. Collier (New Zealand) 1.48, 1.43 3-5; 3.31 3-s—B. R. Tilley (Australia) 2.1, 1.34 3-s', 3.53 3-5—9. N. Hamilton (New Zealand) 1.45 2- 1.52 3-5; 3.38—10. Totals: Australia: 16min 31 l-ssec; New Zealand: lGmin 45 2-ssec. WOMEN Mrs C. Gilkison (New Zealand) 1.48, 1 50; 3.38—1. Miss E. McEvoy (Australia) 2.3 1-5, 1.48 3-5; 3.51 4-5—2. Miss H. Alanson (New Zealand) 1.52 2-5, 1.5; 3.57 1-5—3. Mrs M. James (Australia) 3.5 1-5, 1.54 4-5; 4min—4. Miss P. McNab (New Zealand) 2.8 2-5, 1.58 2-5; 4.6 4-5—5. Miss J. McDonald (Australia) 2.30 1-5, 2.24 3-5; 4.37 4-5—6. Totals: New Zealand: llmin 42sec; Australia: 12min 29 3'-ssec. Those who failed to qualify were: Men: G. Lonsdale (New Zealand) 1.39 1-5, 1.53; 3.38 1-5 (plus six second penalty); C. Sloane (Australia) 1.58 1-5, 1.52; 3.50 1-5. Women: Miss T. McMahon (New Zealand) 2.19, 2.10 1-5; 4.29 1-5; Miss O. Lamble (Australia) 2.40 4-5, 2.7; 4.47 4-5. A special weather report received at the Chateau Tongariro forecast unfavourable weather for to-morrow, and in the event of the inter-Domin-ion downhill event not being held, an endeavour will be made to hold a New Zealand championship event.