SKI-ING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 25 August 1939, Page 9

SKI-ING CHAMPIONSHIPS

CHATEAU CONTESTS Dli. FRANK'S SUCCESS (Per Press Association.) THE CHATEAU, this day. A new figure entered New Zealand ski-ing this week with the success of Dr. W. Frank, of Cambridge. In the men’s straight race, the first event of the national ski-ing championships, which opened at Ruapehu yesterday, Dr. Frank, formerly of Austria and who has been in New Zealand only nine months, in spite of only two days' practice in that time, beat Bryan Murphy, of Wellington, by 10 seconds, his time being a little more than that of Franz Skardara.sy, the Austrian professional at The Chateau, who set the course. Dr. Frank has a grand style of ski-ing and, over the last few hundred feet clapped on the pace.

The women’s straight race was won by Joan Murphy, of Taranaki. Al-

though she had been in bed for several days with severe influenza, she and her sister, Pat, who was second, and Mrs. Ely were of higher standard

than the other women competitors There was a fair representation of Dominion skiers, but fewer South Island runner.", than usual. Results were.

Men’s Straight Race.— Dr. Frank (Ruapehu Ski Club), lmin. 57.35ec.5., 1; Bryan Murphy (Ruapehu Club), 2mins. 7.B2secs., 2: C. Ambury (Stratford Mountain Club), 2min. 33.8 secs., 3: T. Keogh (Ruapehu Club), 2min. 47 secs., 4: A. M. Collier (Tasman Ski Club). 3min. 16.255ec5., 5; J. Swan (Otago Ski Club) 3min. 35.86 secs.

Women's Straight Race. Joan Murphy (Ruapehu Club) 2min. tKUsacs, 1: Pat Murphy (Ruapehu Club), 2min. 33.‘:ees.. 2; Mrs. Ely (Ruapehu Club), 2min. 44.4sces„ 3.

Following a frost and a fill the previous night, the snow was in perfect condition after the sun on it yesterday. The weather was brilliantly sunny. Bryan. Murphy, who has represented New Zealand, skied excellently and was little below Dr. .Frank’s class. Bo'h had no falls but Ambury had bad luck, a heavy fall

robbing him of prceioifs seconds. T. Keogh, a younger skier, did well to be fourth. The men’s ski-ing was generally of a high standard and equal to that of former years. The course was thorough, but not a difficult test of more than 2000 feet, and all competitors ran well. The men’s and women’s slalomt will be held to-dav and the langlaul on Saturday.