Queenstown, New Zealand (Sunday, July 14, 2002) - The cream of world downhill endurance skiers will compete in the HP 50K of Coronet on July 29-30 at Coronet Peak spearheaded by the internationally renowned Austrian specialist and Olympic gold medalist Patrick Ortlieb.

The 35-year-old shot into prominence when he won the 1992 Olympic downhill at Albertville. Six World Cup downhill victories are among the many other titles achieved during his career.

Event Director Wayne Cafe says Ortlieb was specifically targeted for the HP 50K and his appearance is a coup.

"While he has constant requests to compete in professional and charity events he has agreed to enter the HP 50K because of the Cure Kids charity and the unique team format of the Queenstown race."

It is the first appearance by Austria at the HP 50K and defending champion Germany can expect a tough challenge. Ortlieb will ski with Hubert Barbist (36) and Johannes Nenning (20), both well known on the international circuit.

Germany has won the HP 50K for two successive years, and fresh from the Coronet Peak race last year went on to win the 24 Hours of Aspen. A formidable team, Germany returns this year without its stalwart captain Martin Fiala. Michael Brunner (28) leads the side along with last year's team mate Christian Deisenbock (28). The pair made up the team, which won at Aspen and they are joined by newcomer 25-year-old downhill expert Christian Prassberger.

Switzerland is a two times winner of the 24 Hours of Aspen but a newcomer to the HP 50K.

"This team has blatantly declared it wants to compete at Coronet Peak to get its revenge on the Germans after the 2001 Aspen race," says Cafe.

Team members Robert Moze (27) and Arno Hoenicke (23) have both been on Aspen winning teams and their third team mate Markus Blum (27) has competed at the World Powder 8 contest and the Synchro World Cup.

The U.K. team brings an exciting element to the HP 50K. Brothers Martin and Graham Bell have a high profile in world skiing and Graham was the main commentator during the New Zealand television coverage of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

The Bell brothers set the record in 1998 for the fastest lap in the 24 Hours of Aspen. The time of 2m 10 seconds still stands unbeaten.
Twenty-eight-year-old student Andrew Freshwater who has had downhill success both in the British and world championships makes up the team.

The New Zealand team returns to the HP 50K with an all time speed record clocked at the 2001 24 Hours of Aspen of 99mph. Richard Hanson (28) and Nigel Gardiner (24) are veterans of the Coronet Peak race and their Aspen performance put them clearly in the spotlight. They are joined this year by rookie racer 19-year-old student James Arnott, a former member of the Milo National Ski Racing Academy and currently ranked as New Zealand's number one Super G skier.

The Japanese team was fifth in last years 50K race and returns with two of its original team members Yukiyo Kobayashi (23) and Azumi Tajima (28). Their third team member is 22-year-old Daisuke Yoshioka, a World Cup competitor and highly ranked in all disciplines.

The US team is new to endurance racing although 31-year-old Ian McLendon was a last minute ring-in at the 2001 24 Hours of Aspen. He competed with no training and along with pro free-skiers Brett Deuter (34) and Billy O'Donnell (27) will help fly the flag for America at the HP 50K.

Three women's teams from Australia, United States and Canada will compete in the open section as well as in a women's specific event.

The first team wins the Janey Blair Memorial Trophy, established in memory of the young Queenstown international ski racer and helicopter pilot who died in a helicopter accident two years ago.