This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 79 No. 9, October 2007
Interclub Ski Sports
7-9th September 2007
I was contacted by WTMC early in the year to see if we would be interested in fielding a team for the Interclub Ski Sports which had not been run for 8 years. Remembering the fun we used to have at the Club ski sports and the fierce competition to be selected for the Interclub team, I offered to lead the trip and promised I would get a team together.
The ski races had traditionally been held near the end of the ski season between the Wellington Ski Clubs: Tararua, Hutt Valley, Aorangi, WTMC, Catholic Tramping Club, Victoria University, Alpine Club, Levin Waiopehu, and at times Serac and Tawera. The races were started before the Second World War between the Hutt Valleys and Tararuas and based alternately at Kime and Powell. Over the years the number of competitors grew and the venue moved to Whakapapa.
After much arm twisting and phoning around a team was formed; most of the keen secondary students either had exams or were skiing for their schools at Turoa the same weekend. The weather forecast was so good that in the end we had an over-supply of keen participants. The oldest was Ian Baine at the tender age of 76 - who first participated in 1952 after winning the club downhill cup that year - and the youngest Anita Radcliffe and James Melville, both 16. Up until the Thursday it was going to be Tararua against WTMC, but at the last minute the Aorangis and Hutt Valleys confirmed a team.
Everyone had a great time in the race and at the after-party and our team did us proud. The course was a very short slalom and we all agreed had it been a GS course the results may have been different.
Men's team - the fastest 7 participants, Geoffroy Lamarche 20.16 sec 5th, Alan Knowles 21.43 sec 12th, Ian Baine 22.26 sec 18th, Rainer Huber 22.34 sec 19th, Murray Fitzgerald 22.99 sec 21st, David Olsen 24.23 sec 24th, James Melville 27.37 sec.
women's team - the fastest 3 participants Cherie Marshall 21.39 sec 3rd, Jenny Olsen 25.37 sec 7th, Anita Radcliffe 27.28 sec.
It was agreed by all clubs that the resurrection of the races was a great thing and that the race would be held next year - Aorangi has offered to host it. Sharpen up those edges, wax those boards, and who knows, we may even be able to polish up our own cups and compete again. Thanks to everyone who raced and helped and also to Simon Lillico from WTMC for his persistence and organisation.
- Party members
- Alan Knowles, Helen Hanify (supporter), Murray Fitzgerald, Rainer Huber, Cherie Marshall, Ken Drayton (course marshal), Jenny Olsen, David Olsen, Ian Baine, James Melville, Anita Radcliffe, Vivienne Radcliffe (leader and scribe) and our very own flying Frenchman, Geoffroy Lamarche.