Telemark skiing demonstrated

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 11, 11 August 1987, Page 10

Telemark skiing demonstrated

A 'ski telemark van', carrying demonstration skis and boots is travelling the North and South Island skifields this winter to provide equipment and instruction to anyone interested in this new and exciting winter sport - free of charge. At nine venues along the tour dual formal telemark slalom races will be held. These races will be competitive but mostly fun oriented and open to Telemark skiers of any ability. "New Zealand already has many very proficient Telemark skiers able to give Whitney Thurlow a strong contest," said Jef Desbecker. Whitney, who attends many of the races, directs

the ski patrol at Cardrona Skifield, is an examiner for the N.Z.S.I.A. /Telemark Division and reigns as four-time North American Telemark Champion. The tour, piloted by Jef Desbecker and Robina Bodle, is at Whakapapa until Friday and will be at Turoa from August 16 to 21. The tour will return to Turoa and Whakapapa in late September. Telemark skiing originated in Norway over one hundred years ago and combines the disciplines of alpine and cross-country styles, skiing downhill on modified cross-country equipment with an effect both graceful and fluidly aggressive. Telemark skis are narrower than Alpine skis and the sturdy leather boots attach

to the skis only at the toe. Although the drop-knee Telemark technique originated in Norway, American skiers are credited with developing the present day form which can be seen not only on the skifields, but also high in the backcountry snowfields and glaciers or off in the solitude of the snow covered rolling hills like the Pisa Range and Tekapo area in the South Island. Sanctioned by the N.Z.S.I.A./Telemark Division, schedules of the tour and races can be seen at all skifields and ski shops in New Zealand. The tour is sponsored by Nevada Sports - the importers of Karhu telemark equipment and Dominion Breweries the makers of Kuhtze lager.