BLIZZARD AT THE CHATEAU

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 225, 3 September 1936, Page 4

BLIZZARD AT THE CHATEAU

MIST ON MOUNTAIN.

EVENTS POSTPONED, i

Taranaki Party Return To

Homes.

INTER-DOMINION RACE

(Special to The Post)

Chateau Tongariro, * Tuesday, September t. At Salt Hut this morning the bliz-t zard still continued, although at thd Chateau conditions were fair with occasional bursts of sunshine. On thei upper slopes there' was thick mist soi that visibility would not be sufficient for the Down-hill. So the slalom fori the Women's Inter-DominTbn Cham-> £ rionship was considered. ( r

However, the wind was so strong and blew drift-snow so forcefully that competitors and officials felt disinclined to face the journey up, let alone wait about in the storm While the racing was on. Snow Continues. There was no abatement by on© o'clock, so another day was past usefulness. By two o'clock conditions! moderated slightly as soon as the sun was shining and drift stopped blowing. The slopes about Salt Hut werel quickly occupied by people anxious tol snatch a few hours ski-ing after soj much disappointment. i

Ruapehu Club Slalom,

The Ruapehu Ski Club took the opportunity to hold their club slalom) near the Salt Hut on a rather inadei quate course.

By evening the upper slopes of Rua-i pehu were clear; and Tongariro andj Ngaruhoe were completely' clear forj the first time for over a week.

To-night most of the TaranakS party have to leave; but those who) are picked in the New Zealand team! are able to remain. Wednesday and) Thursday remain for the Inter-Domin-, ion contests, as the Australians havei to be on board boat by mid-day 01$ Friday.

Wednesday, Sept. 2.

It was snowing and blowing first thing this morning, and both continued all day. Guides on the way to the| Salt Hut reported from the Prison Camp, about half-way, that they had met with blizzard conditions.

It was decided to abandon again the Downhill, Jump, and Women's Slai lorn, and to attempt to run a Lang* lauf in the vicinity of the Chateau. The course was set round the Golfi' Course, along the track towards Ngauruhoe about half a mile, back to the* Chateau up the road to Salt Hut as] far as the bridge over the Whakapapa and back. This course had toj be run twice.

Won By Gelling.

The race proved a well-won victory; for Gelling (Australia), who overtook; B. Murphy. Murphy started a minute! ahead of Gelling and steadily increased this. B. McMillan, who started; third, caught Murphy during the second lap, and the two stuck fairly close together after that.

Annabell (Australia), who started first, was passed by the other three in the first lap. The forecast is not good for to-mor-row, the last day available, so it is probable that the Downhill and Jump will not be contested.