SPORT ON THE SNOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20962, 27 August 1931, Page 13

SPORT ON THE SNOW.

EVENTS AT NATIONAL PARK. CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP HAWERA COMPETITOR'S SUCCESS. Try telegraph.—own correspondent.] THE CHATEAU, Wednesday. The first events of the Ruapehu Ski Club's annual winter sports tournament were held at Tongariro National Park today. The snow conditions were excellent for cross-country racing and the day was fine, with a light westerly breeze. There were about 250 spectators. Principal results were:— Men's Langlauf (or cross-country) Race, about seven miles, Ruapehu Ski Club members.—R. Syme (Hawera), 1; R. C. Murie (Wellington), 2; R. Allan (New Plymouth), 3. Won by 25yds. There were 10 starters. New Zealand Amateur Langlauf Championship, about seven miles.—R. Syme (Ruapehu Ski Club), 1; R. C. Murie (Ruapehi Ski Club), 2; R. Allan (Ruapehu Ski Club), 3. Won by ss. The following also competed, in order of finishing:—F. E. R. Merritt (Auckland University Field and Alpine Club), J. McComrnish (Ruapehu Ski Club), A. J). Priestly (Victoria University Tramping Club), T. R. Marks (Ruapehu Ski , Club), J. A. Wells (Tararua Tramping Club), Ft. E. Whitwell (Ruapehu Ski ('lub), ]{. Hogg (Victoria University College Tramping Club), C. F. Taylor (Ruapehu Ski Club), J. W. Palmer (Ruapehu Ski Club), P. Grant (Victoria University College Tramping Club), W. Groombridge /Ruapehu Ski Club), R. L. Powell (Hutt Valley Tramping Club). Taylor set out at a fast pace and easily led the field for the first- up-hill portion and round the flag for the long run down to Scoria Flat. Syme followed him and (he remainder were well strung out. Syme overtook Taylor arid then Murie passed both Taylor and Svme and was still in the lead at the beginning of the last long uphill portion. Syme, climbing well, passed Murie on the up-hill section and got to the top for the last run down about 15yds. in the lead, with Allan some distance behind, followed bv Merritt and McComrnish. After a hard struggle for first place Syme won by the narrow margin of ss, with the third competitor 10s later. Ladies' Langlauf (or cross-country race), open, about two miles.—Miss M. Knight (Ruapehu Ski Club), 1; Miss E. D. Lovegrove (Ruapehu Ski Club), 2; Miss M. McPherson (Tararua Tramping Club), 3. Won by 4s, with the third competitor Is later. Also competed:— Misses L. Godfrey, P. D. Hill, I. A. Farrellv, G. Ferguson, M. Metcalfe, M. A. Bond and E. S. Fletcher (Ruapehu Ski Club). Miss Knight led for the first portion, with Miss McPherson a close second and Miss Metcalf>a third. At the first turn Miss Bond lost her skiis and Miss Farrellv fell. The order at this stage was Misses Knight,, McPherson and Lovegrove. The last-mentioned passed Miss McPherson shortly afterwards. At the top of the last hill portion Miss McPherson fell and caused Miss Lovegrove to fall. However, the latter recovered and finished a close second to Miss Knight, with Miss McPherson third. Syme gained the title of New Zealand amateur langlauf champion. The position of the Ruapehu Ski Club championship after to-day's event is:—Syme, 4 points; Murie, 2 points; Allan, 1 point. Further results to-morrow and on Friday will decide both the New Zealand championship and the club championship.