Australians Take Part In Ski Championships

Chronicle (Levin), 3 October 1949, Page 6

Australians Take Part In Ski Championships

Press AssociationJ

(Per.

JNE W PL i MU U TJtL, Uet. 2, Brilliantly fine weather, ideal snow conditions and a standard' of skiing that even surpass'ed that set in an Australia-New Zealand inter-Dominion contest, eombined to make Saturday one of the most spectacular and interesting days of championship racing in the history of New Zealand skiing, when the national men's and women 's slalom championships were held on Mt. Ruapehu. The partieipation of the visiting Australian men's and women 's teams added interest and a very large gallery watched the racing. The women 's event was won by the New Zealander, Miss H. Alanson, andthe men's event by the colourful Australian slalom runner, T Aslangul. While fuil credit must be given to Aslangul for his performance which was the outstanding one of the day, the North Island champjon, R. McKenzie, must be regarded as oue of the most unfortunate skiers ever to compete in the event. With 30 yards to complete before he reached the finishing line and win the event, McKenzie fell when rounding the two easiest flags on the course. The win of Miss Alanson was probably the most popular recorded sinee the championships begun. Since she broke a leg after winning the national downhill event at Queenstown last year, Miss Alanson has been performing without her usual dash and confidence but she raced very confidently to regain the title which she first won on Mt. Egmont in 1947. Miss Alanson recorded the fastest single run in the women 's event.