Winter Classic Rocks over the Line

Queenstown business house ski teams completed the 35th Winter Classic at Coronet Peak this season with outstanding performances from individuals and 16 teams over the six race season.

The longest local race series of its type, the Winter Classic attracts top class and recreational skiers of all ages for fun, competition and lively prize-givings downtown at Searle Lane & Social.

There was keen competition with local masters’ skiing identities Paddy Strain and Digs Hargreaves competing in their respective divisions, while members of the New Zealand’s National Team members Tim Cafe and Ben Griffin battled it out in the Serious Division under the Queenstown Alpine Ski Team banner.

International flair spiced up the race series with Masters and Coronet Peak employee Martial Bonvin of Switzerland skiing for the SBS Bank and France’s Michael Sauvage competing for the Red Rock team.

Drawing even in the Masters Team division was Ray White Arrowtown and Two Paddocks after a very close battle all season. The winning Recreational Team was SBS Bank closely followed by Browns Rental Workshop. In the Serious Division, Searle Lane & Social and Red Rock were neck and neck throughout until the Red Rock team nudged into first place on the last race under the guidance of team Captain Perry Coulter.

Head of Race Richard Murphy said the Winter Classic was a great way to meet new skiing partners and to just have a go at ski racing.

“It’s fun, it’s generally recreational, but there’s awesome competition as well. Local businesses put their names out there by sponsoring teams and contributing prizes and we were treated to great prize givings at Searle Lane & Social on Tuesday nights where we’d watch videos of the day’s events and enjoy the great hospitality and food.

I really want to thank those businesses and people who helped out. It was an awesome season of racing and we look forward to seeing you and many more local teams back for 2012.”