Firefighters race soon

Ruapehu Bulletin, 8 September 1992, Page 12

Firefighters race soon

Thirty teams from all over the country have entered the 1992 New Zealand Fire-fighters Skirace Championships which are to be held at Turoa Ski Resort on the 24 and 25 September. The Ohakune Fire Brigade who host the event are excited about the number of entries. Fire Brigade Secretary Rob McCallum said it is their fourth annual ski race and they've grown steadily in size each year. "Thirty teams is about as many as we can handle with our resources. Thirty teams of four skiers plus all the 'hangers on' is a pretty large group when they're all together," said Rob. The Racers, who must all be serving members of the New Zealand Fire Service, ski race over two days competing in both a giant slalom and dual slalom event. Ohakune Deputy Chief Ben Goddard believes the events are a recipe for success. "The events are pretty social and everyone has a few laughs although there is some competitive ski-

ing at the top end of the scale," he said. The ski racers will compete against the clock on day one with two runs each through a giant slalom course. On day two the skiers are matched as closely as possible using the times from the giant slalom and then ski through the dual slalom course side by side. "The Duals are almost as exciting for the spectators as they are for the skiers, there's heaps of thrills and spills and everyone has a bit of fun," said Ben. As well as the skiing, several social events are planned at the Ohakune Fire Station. "We'll have about 250 people as our guests and we've got a few ideas on how to keep them amused," said Rob. "Most of the teams from previous years have returned so it looks as if they're hooked. We try to provide good entertainment for them as it really caps off a hard day's racing", he said. Past events have featured a mechanical rodeo bull and horizontal bungy jumping.