College hosts 500

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 254, 14 September 1988, Page 16

College hosts 500

More than 500 young skiers are to compete in next week's ski races organised by Ruapehu College. Thc North Island Sccondary School's Skiing Competition is an annual event organised by the college and this year draws 104 tcams. Each team has a maximum of five including one junior (under 15) and, if a coeducational school, both sexes must b e represented. Race coordinator John Laurenson said there are teams that will be here to win and many here to just participate. Turoa Skifields, Fischer/M arker/Dy naf it and Ruapehu Computers support the event. A 50 per cent reduction on lift passes is offered by Turoa as well as a runners up team award of $200. The winning team holds the Skilands Tro-

phy and picks up the Nicola Hayes Memorial Award of $300. Marker/Fischer/Dynafit put up prizes for other qualifying teams. Other prizes this year are yet to be decided but Mr Laurenson said last year's included awards for the crash of the day, best supporting group, best newcomers, and a wooden spoon award. Ohakune Plunket cater for the event as part of their fund raising programme. Ruapehu College teacher Lee-Anne Kane is Chief of Race for the competitions. The course is set so that intermediate skiers who have had no previous experience at running gates can finish. Racers in the giant slalom who fall are allowed a second run, but are advised to finish the second time as no points are awarded if no time is recorded.

The races are run in four divisions, junior and senior men's and women's. On the first of the two day's racing a giant slalom is run, with points awarded from 20 down to one for the fastest down to the slowest. On the second day a dual slalom is to be run (weather permitting), with skiers paired within their time order from the previous day's GS event. Host team Ruapehu College have won the competition three time in the past five years, with Wanganui Collegiate taking top place in 1985 and the Diocesan School winning it in 1984. Also being organised for the visitors is a "Dance Explosion" night at Hot Lava on Monday of their trip. The night includes a teams talent contest, with a first prize of $50.