Griffin, Cafe Show Well in FIS GS, but Swedes Dominate at Coronet Peak
Saturday 22 August 2009, 12:15PM
By Snow Sports New Zealand
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Ohakune’s Ben Griffin, Queenstown’s Tim Cafe and Wellington’s Angus Howden all had strong performances, including a sub-12-point finish by Griffin in the second day of GS racing at the Air New Zealand FIS Southern Cup Race Series at Coronet Peak on Thursday.
Swedes Andre Myhrer (1:38.67), Hans Olsson (1:38.80) and Jon Olsson (1:38.87) finished on the podium, but Griffin’s performance (1:40.01) was the best by any New Zealander this season, as he finished seventh overall. Cafe was 10th in 1:40.90 and Howden was 14th in 1:41.57.
In Wednesday’s GS, Cafe flew the flag for New Zealand, and was in good form after a brief layoff due to injury. Skiing with a cast on his arm, Cafe “had a good run,” said Snow Sports New Zealand Alpine Director James Lazor. “He was pleased with his race.”
Next top Kiwi on Wednesday was Jamie Prebble in 32nd (1:48.48). Griffin and Howden did not finish Wednesday’s GS.
The Canadian Women’s team continued its dominance Thursday, taking the top seven positions, led by Genevieve Simard (1:42.10), Britt Janyk (1:42.86) and Shona Rubens (1:43.13).
Top Kiwi women in the GS were Taylor Rapley (1:48.72) and Harriet Miller Brown (1:49.20).
With firm conditions and on a crisp, crystal clear day at Coronet Peak, the racing was some of the best this season on Wednesday, and excellent conditions prevailed again on Thursday.
One of New Zealand’s largest and most competitive races of the year, the Air New Zealand FIS Southern Cup Race Series regularly attracts some of the strongest ski racing fields of the Southern Hemisphere season, even more so this year with the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games now on the near-term horizon and the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games next week.
For complete results, go to www.fis-ski.com.
Following the racing on Saturday: the 2009 Black On Track Party, an annual celebration of ski racing in New Zealand that also serves as an important fundraising event for the ski racing community and is organised by the Snowvision Foundation.
At Saturday evening’s event, Ski Racing New Zealand is planning to announce a new partnership with NatureZone and the Aotea Group. Aotea Group is New Zealand’s largest tourism retail group with eight stores in New Zealand.
Aotea Group produces a 100% New Zealand-made Merino adventure wear that is a “must item” for those with an active sporting and social life.
Snow Sports New Zealand is the official governing body and National Sports Organisation representing all snow sports in New Zealand. Ski Racing New Zealand is a member of Snow Sports New Zealand.