World Cup application from Turoa

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 13, 25 August 1987, Page 1

World Cup application from Turoa

New Zealand Ski Fields is putting in a bid for Turoa Skifields to be part of the prestigious World Cup for Skiing in 1989. "This would be a first for New Zealand, " said Mr W. J. (Wilson) Whineray, chairman of New Zealand

Ski Fields, who announced the news at the company's first annual general meeting at Ohakune on Friday 21 August. NZ Ski was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange earlier this year. He said the event would put New Zealand on the international ski map. The World Cup is held annually throughout Europe, USA and Japan and involves 35 races for top skiers, both men and women, from throughout the world. Mr A.D.R. (Tony) Wright, managing director of NZ Ski said Turoa is the logical venue for the World Cup races in New Zealand because of its height and wide ski slopes. He said Turoa is expected to fulfil the official homologation (or accreditation) standards. "Over 525 vertical metres is easily achievable at Turoa," he said." A provisional race course has been selected and planning is now underway." Another chairlift would be built at Turoa in time for the start of the 1989 ski season. This year, Turoa opened the Movenpick chairlift, the country's longest quad chairlift. The World Cup ski series is co-ordinated and supervised by the International Ski Federation (FIS) which is based in Switzerland. It meets each May to decide on the venue for the next World Cup. Mr Wright said former

Swiss Olympic racer and coach, Andreas Hefti, has been in Ohakune this week holding discussions with NZ Ski directors on plans for the World Cup. Mr Hefti, now a New Zealand citizen, has close personal contacts with Mr Serge Lang, who is considered to be the father of the World Cup ski event. Mr Wright said NZ Ski expects to put in an official application form on behalf of New Zealand before May next year. He believes Australia is also likely to apply for the first time this year and, if its application is successful, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina would be likely to form a southern hemisphere circuit for the World Cup series. If held in New Zealand, the World Cup would attract over 400 international skiers, officials and journalists. The first World Cup of skiing was held in 1966 and the event commands large international television, radio and media coverage. This bid is in response to the Minister of Tourism's initiative in encouraging the winter sports industry in New Zealand. Mr Wright said that being part of the World Cup would mean a "significant boost to tourism for New Zealand. With NZ Ski's current development plans I am confident that Turoa Skifields will be an outstanding venue for the World Cup event."