First International teams arrive in Methven ahead of world class ski racing season

Posted on 03 August 2010 at 12:58 PM

Mt Hutt Ski Area will welcome its first alpine stars this weekend (7 August) as the Southern Hemisphere race training season gets underway.

Confirmed to arrive on Saturday are several teams including the Slovenian Mens’, Norwegian Womens’ and Swedish Womens’ with the US Mens’ booked to arrive next Sunday (August 15). The teams will train at the Ski Area’s Red Bull International Race Training Arena over the next 6 to 8 weeks.  

Head of Race and Events, Paul Marks, said the ski area is set to attract more than 120 athletes, coaches and crew in coming weeks for training and that several international racers are likely to take part in local F.I.S. races including the major race of the season, the Australia New Zealand Continental Cup (ANC) Grand Finale.

“The ANC with its Super G, Super Combined, Giant Slalom and Slalom races is the most exciting and important race event of the Australasian winter season. International entries can massively improve the level of competition for the Australian and New Zealand athletes as well as lifting the profile of the races world wide,” he said.

“For the international teams the ANC races offer an opportunity to get back into competition ahead of the World Cup circuit in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s an exciting battle to finish as the overall champion is given the ‘Golden Bib’ which earns them a certain starting position in the World Cup.”

The ANC Grand Finale is considered just one level behind the World Cup and is to be held at Mt Hutt from September 7-11.

Renowned as New Zealand’s ‘Capital of Speed’  Mt Hutt is looking forward to hosting  the final leg of the ANC in a five-day spectacular with slope-side celebrations taking place next to the on-piste action.  Expect Methven and Mt Hutt to come alive with hot air balloons, an after-party and downtown video replays.

“New Zealand is a fantastic place to see these athletes race.  There is nowhere else in the world that you can get so close to the action.”

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Nicola Grigg
Communications Coordinator, NZSki
Ph: 03 450 1976
E: nicola@nzski.com
Web: www.nzski.com

Or

Alexa Forbes
Media Liaison, NZSki
Ph: 03 441 1117
E: alexa@southernpr.co.nz