Biggest southern ski race on

Ruapehu Bulletin, 19 September 1995, Page 5

Biggest southern ski race on

Secondary school students from around New Zealand once again take to the slopes of Mt Ruapehu this week in the annual North Island Secondary Schools Ski Competition hosted by Ruapehu College. The competition is now in its 15th year and is being heldon Whakapapa slopes. It was to start yesterday but bad weather put off the opening day. This year there are 123 schools entered — 15 of these being new to the competition. Fifteen schools have dropped out of the

competition this year, partly due to the timing of holidays for schools with a fourtermyear. Over 600 competitors are takingpart this year, divided into four divisions, each of about 150 - junior women, junior men, senior women, and senior men. To be eligible for prizes co-educational schools must have both sexes represented, and each team must include at least one junior. On Day 1 of the threeday event each division's competitors complete a timed giant slalom course

in the Valley T-Bar area. On Day 2 a dual slalom event takes place with skiers paired within their divisions by time order from the previous day's event. Day 3 is a team competition fun day sponsored by the Junction Ski Shop, Ohakune. This includes snow sculpturing and dual slalom racing, with spot prizes from the sponsors. The winning team receives the Skilands Trophy and the Nicola Hayes Memorial Award. A runnersup trophy is also awarded. Cash prizes totalling around

$1000 will be awarded amongst the top five schools, and various items of ski related goods donated by Salomon will be awarded to members of qualifying teams. These include the first five placed teams, first entry recei ved, best dressed team, most supporters, best fall, best new team, wooden spoon team, youngest team, best South Island team. In-

dividual trophies have been donated this year from the Nigel Taylor Memorial Trust for fastest senior man and woman. Ruapehu Sports Festival medals will be awarded in team and individual sections. Winners last year were St Cuthberts College with Ruapehu College placed 2nd and Kings College in 3 rd place.