Turkey ski trip for Turoa man

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 244, 31 May 1988, Page 1

Turkey ski trip for Turoa man

Turoa Ski Academy director John Ball left for Istanbul, Turkey last week to attend the biannual conference of the International Ski Federation. Top priority will be to continue to lobby for Turoa to hold a World Cup event next year, said Mr Ball. But also on his agenda will be to meet coaches and race programme directors from various national ski federations to let them know about Turoa's winter race programme. Tm twisting arms," said Mr Ball. He said he had a verbal commitment from the US ski team to come to New Zealand and Turoa and that during his trip he will be firming up a number of other deals. Another item on the agenda for him will be to observe and learn about the political process in the ski federation. "I don't think I'd get involved politically, I'm trying to learn the process to see how things work," said Mr Ball. The New Zealand Ski Association is bidding for the 1992 conference to be held in Christchurch. John Ball will be helping to lobby for support on this issue. Although the conference covers all kinds of skiing from grass to cross country he will be just attended the committee meetings covering alpine skiing. He said at these meetings all aspects of the ski industry are discussed, including new equipment, course setting, new rules and television coverage. There are discussion held among ski course setters to improve courses for television viewing, for example said Mr Ball. Course layout was discussed with camera angles and spectator viewing in i mind. Mr Ball said he has spent time preparing himself for the conference but has not had time to learn any Turkish Language for the trip. "I can't even say hello," he said. While there are ski fields in Turkey Mr Ball said all seven days of the conference will be held in Istanbul so there won't be time to see the country's snow. He does plan to take time out to look around the city though.