Young Japanese visitors don't mind the ice!

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 3, 5 August 1988, Page 7

Young Japanese visitors don't mind the ice!

Ice and rock is not a negative aspect to three Japanese skiers visiting Turoa this month.

Top racers need to ski ice and around rocks and where Gaku, Satomi and Kazumi come from ice and such conditions on ski runs are rare. They see ice as a very positive challenge, as an aspect of skiing that must be mastered. The three are from the Turoa Alpine Ski Club's best friends, from the Shiga Kogen ski area in Central Japan. The oldest, Gaku Hirasawa, 15, is not a stranger to Ruapehu nor is Satomi Hata, who is also 15. They have been here three and two seasons respectively. For 13 year o 1 d Kazumi Hata it is her first visit. The three were to be part of the a n n u a 1 contingent from Shiga Kogen who come in exchange for hosting a team from TASCI. This year, however, there were not enough skiers in the right age group to make up the

exchange programme, said TASCI President Bruce Wilde. He said these three came anyway. Gaku is staying with Dave and Angela Scott and Satomi and Kazumi Hata are staying with Bruce and Nita Wilde. Gaku has the honour of being the o n 1 y Japanese representative to race in the FIS series next week. He is also possibly the youngest. He said he is training very hard for the races. TASCI President Bruce Wilde said it was "good fun" to host the youngsters. He said it was the best thing to happen in the TASCI year.