Wanaka, New Zealand (Tuesday, August 1, 2006) - Treble Cone made New Zealand ski history this past weekend by hosting the first ever Entry League FIS event to be held in that country. More than 49 participants from across the globe took part in the Slalom and Giant Slalom events at the Wanaka ski field, run in conjunction with the Wanaka Ski Club. Competitors had two runs each over the Slalom and GS courses, which were based on Treble Cone’s new, super-wide Big Skite trail.
Chief of race Peter Duff said last night that he was delighted with the event. “Treble Cone put on an excellent event with a well-groomed, near-perfect piste for this type of race,” he said.

Sue Bridgewater, CEO of Ski Racing NZ and overseer of the event, yesterday highlighted the importance of having a mountain such as Treble Cone that is available and capable to run such high-profile international events as the FIS race.

Treble Cone Area Manager Jackie van der Voort said yesterday, “We are thrilled to welcome the FIS event to Treble Cone. We put a lot of work into the Big Skite trail over the summer months, and the success of events like this weekend’s races show it is really paying off – both for us at Treble Cone, and New Zealand ski racing as a whole.”

Saturday’s Giant Slalom race had a strong international flavor, with athletes from the USA, Italy, Korea and Australia all competing for FIS points to assist their international rankings. The international athletes made their presence felt, with American Dan Loman and Italian Giorgia Baudone setting the pace in the GS race. New Zealander Jesse Teat was 4th in the men’s GS race and his countrywoman Nicola Eves took 5th in the women’s GS event.

Sunday’s Slalom race attracted similar interest despite inclement weather conditions. The women’s Slalom event was won by Katherine Dunleavy of the US, while Queenstown’s Alpine Ski Team and Ski Racing NZ talent development athlete Taylor Rapley came a close second – an impressive feat for her first ever FIS event. Unfortunately, strong winds prevented the completion of the men’s Slalom event, as racers were unable to complete their second run as the weather closed in.

Duff added, “The race was lucky to have the expert guidance of International FIS Technical Director Ian McLean (NZE). It was great to see junior ski racers from New Zealand competing in this race; it will be great to see them in action again in the next FIS race early September.”


Results (results are total time from two runs)

Giant Slalom Men
1st Dan Loman (USA) 1’20.52, 2nd Andrea Avondetto (ITA) 1’20.96, 3rd Leo Menard (USA) 1’21.15, 4th Jesse Teat (NZE) 1’23.29, 5th Rupert Ralston (NZE) 1’23.68, 6th Tom Johnson (NZE) 1’24.66, 7th Andrew Wylie (NZE) 1’25.82, 8th Peter Chew, (AUS) 1’26.90, 9th Sam Weenink (NZE) 1’28.39, 10th Benjamin Skinner (AUS) 1’28.43

Giant Slalom Women
1st Giorgia Baudone (ITA) 1’28.75, 2nd Alexandra Robb (AUS) 1’28.76, 3rd Eleanor Dalton (GBR) 1’30.69, 4th Stephanie Ovenen (GBR) 1’31.17, 5th Nicola Eves (NZE) 1’31.24, 6th Charlotte Newbold (NZE) 1’31.63, 7th Melissa Jones (USA) 1’32.45, 8th Taylor Rapley (NZE) 1’35.07, 9th Monique Oosterbaan (NZE) 1’36.22, 10th Harriet Miller-Brown (NZE) 1’36.53

Slalom Men
Race incomplete due to poor weather conditions.

Slalom Women
1st Katherine Dunleavy (USA) 1’30.93, 2nd Taylor Rapley (NZE) 1’31.23, 3rd Melissa Jones (USA) 1’32.89, 4th Charlotte Newbold (NZE) 1’34.08, 5th Harriet Miller-Brown (NZE) 1’34.50, 6th Caitlin Robb (AUS) 1’36.74, 7th Elisabeth Riordan-Taylor (NZE) 1’41.31, 8th Courtney Tate (NZE) 1’53.29, 9th Monique Ooterbaan (NZE) 1’57.02, Bailey Dunleavy (USA) 2’13.53.