OHAKUNE WELCOMES NZ'S FIREFIGHTERS TO THE SECOND ANNUAL NZ FIRE BRIGADE SKI CHAMPS, 26-28 SEPTEMBER

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 355, 25 September 1990, Page 7

OHAKUNE WELCOMES NZ'S FIREFIGHTERS TO THE SECOND ANNUAL NZ FIRE BRIGADE SKI CHAMPS, 26-28 SEPTEMBER

Fun will be the number one priority in this year's New Zealand Fire Fighters Ski Championships hosted by the Ohakune Volunteer Fire Brigade this week, which runs

from Wednesday through to the weekend depending on the weather. Last year the brigade ran the first ever such event and judging by the number of entries word

has spread as to its success. About 25 teams are expected from around New Zealand including volunteer brigades and professionals. This year's event

will include a giant slalom race, probably on Raceline near the Jumbo T Bar on Turoa Skifields, a dual slalom near the top of the Giant Chairlift and a skiing obstacle race. Evening activities

will include horizontal bungy jumping at the fire station and schooner races. Turoa Skifields are to help with race organisation and Ruapehu College pupils will help out with timing. Main sponsors of the event are Dominion Breweries and Green Bottle at the Ohakune Hotel, plus ski shops, retailers and garages. Official opening of the event is Wednesday Night at the fire station and the brigade extends a warm welcome to sponsors, helpers and ex- and visiting firefighters. Trophies up for grabs in the event include the Waimarino Trophy donated by Waimarino businesses, the Dixon Engineering Trophy for the fastest male skier and the Tractor and Machinery Trophy for the fastest female skier. Also available is the F.U. Trophy for the last team on the points board. This trophy is an exquisitely carved copy of a special coupling used by firemen when things go wrong while laying out hoses. The full, common name of the device is unprintable. The Ohakune

Growers Association provide orangecoloured root vegetables (have a guess) for spot prizes and Turners and Growers are providing fruit and vegetables for the evenfc Experienced skiers through to total novices can take

part in the competition, as can be seen by some of the results. Last year's fastest time was 25.33 seconds and the slowest was nearly four minutes. The four minute man won a prize for wiping out and recovering his skis the most times and actually finishing.