Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand (Friday, July 26, 2002) - The New Zealand Youth Cup series continues this weekend at Whakapapa with a field of about 40 young athletes from around the country expected to compete.

The series is designed to allow J3 (13 and 14-year-olds) to experience racing on a longer course and prepare them for the step up into FIS racing.

The first two races on the calendar were scheduled for Mt. Hutt earlier in the season but were abandoned due to bad weather. Last weekend, two slaloms were held at Coronet Peak amongst intense competition from the Youth Cup field.

At Whakapapa this weekend a field of around 40 racers have entered the two day race series. A giant slalom will be held both days, and the races will also double as national points events.

While North Island racers will be turning out to the first national points races for the season several young South Island skiers are also registered to compete. They include skiers from Wanaka, Queenstown and Mt. Hutt aiming to add to their points tally for the Youth Cup titles.

Points at each race are awarded on the World Cup ranking system and after the first two races only a few points separate the lead girls. Ella Spittle of the Queenstown Alpine Ski Team (QAST) has 140 points ahead of Turoa’s Nicola Eves 125 and Michelle Greig 120.

Both Ella Spittle and Nicola Eves are competing at Whakapapa this weekend.

Christopher Till of Mt. Hutt is at the top of the boy’s leaderboard on 200 points, Rory Hill of QAST 160 and Tom Johnson QAST 110.

The series culminates at the R.S.Duncan Trust Youth Nationals at Whakapapa on September 21 and 22 when the winners of the 2002 titles will be decided.