Schools race on skis

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 454, 22 September 1992, Page 1

Schools race on skis

Hundreds of secondary school students are swapping books and pens this week for boots and skis as the 13th Annual Secondary Schools Skiing Competition, hosted by Ruapehu College, takes place. This year there are 121 schools participating in the competition, which consists of a timed Giant Slalom on the first day for each of the five members in each team and a dual slalom event on day two. Day three sees a 'Top Town' type competition with lots of short activities and the emphasis on fun. The racing on days one and two takes place in 'The Valley' on Whakapapa Skifield. The competition has been known as the 'New Zealand Secondary Schools Skiing

Competition' for the last two years and this year sees a team from Nayland College in Nelson competing. Last year's winners, King's College of Auckland, are looking strong contenders again this year. Ruapehu College coordinator John Laurenson, Chief-of-Race Rick Knight, and their team of staff helpers have been working hard to ensure the smooth running of the event. The weather is the only unpredictable element, but they are hopeful for at least two clear days. Ruapehu College's own team this year is C'raig Buckingham, Nathan Swain, Carl Triggell, Darren Triggell and Rachel Hays, with reserve Scott Wise.