NEW RACES FOR N.Z. SKIERS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 15

NEW RACES FOR N.Z. SKIERS

A new event has been added to the New Zealand ski-ing calendar of events for the 1966 season, one which can only lift the standard of ski-racing throughout the country.

The Canterbury Ski Association has arranged a slalom and downhill for the top 30 competitors In New Zealand. 20 men and 10 women, at Mount Cheeseman each September. The meeting will be sponsored by the Bata Company (N.Z.), Ltd. The company has donated £l5O towards expenses for the week-end's racing this season. In future years, if it is decided to invite skiers from Australia or other countries their expenses will be met! also. The Bata Cup will be an] event for top racers and will' be closed to competition for those invited. As the national championships are the only occasion New Zealand’s top racers meet each season, it is considered by the Canterbury Ski Association that this event can contribute a great deal to New Zealand ski-ing Remain In Canterbury Although it. is not invisaged as a purely Canterbury

[undertaking. It will probably remain a Canterbury centred event. As Canterbury never [gets the national championships, its fields and accommodation being too small, this is the boost its ski-ing needs. The choice. of skiers considered worthy of invitation will probably be made by the [New Zealand selectors each year. However, as it is now late in the season, the selection this year will be made by the racing committee of the Canterbury Ski Association. Nominations are now being awaited from New Zealand's three ski-racing clubs. Mount Ruapehu. Canterbury and Otago, and the selections should be made by the end of July.