YOUNG SKIERS RETURN FROM MOUNTAIN

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 69, 2 September 1965, Page 10

YOUNG SKIERS RETURN FROM

MOUNTAIN

A group of young Taupo skiers retnrned to town from Mt Ruapehu on Saturday with feelings of enthusiasm for the sport and a desire to join the elite racers group as soon as possible. Rangiiig in ages from 10 to 15 years, members of the group spent a week on the mountain learning to ski or improving their techniques. Each day was spent gaining experience with the hickories under the guidance of the instructor, Mr Frank Reid. The weather was good except for oue day when the group was eonfined to an area around the hut because of a snow blizzard. Training for the youngsters kept them husy for most ©f the week. although time was taken off on Thursday for a wholesale snowball fight against a similar group from Matamata. There were two fancy dress parties, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. The week was finished with a slalom race in which eight girls and eight boys took part. Some of the youngsters who are all children of Taupo Ski Club members had never heen ski-ing hefore and others had had limited experience.

Now that they are classed as beginners, each member of the group intends to practice hard to qualify for entry into the racers group. This is a group of young skiers, from about 16 to 20 years of age, who must reach a high standard of ski-ing ability before joining the racers. Results of the slalom race were: — Boys: Chris Pardon 1, Patrick Cox 2, Derek Ireton 3. Girls: Sara Dinsdale 1, Alison Patchett 2, Helen Frost 3.