May 21st 2008

SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED FOR VOLKSWAGEN NATIONAL TEAMS

Ben Griffin in action at the Volkswagen Nationals 2007.  Photo Copyright Jolyon Ralston 2007

Ski Racing NZ today announced its Volkswagen National Ski Teams for the 2008, led by 20 year old, Ohakune resident Benjaman Griffin.

Griffin is now ranked inside the top 200 in the world in three disciplines and was New Zealand’s best male performer on the Northern Hemisphere circuit this season. Griffin’s highlight was a stand out performance at the prestigious Nor-Am giant slalom event at Sunday River, Maine USA. He clocked a 14 point result and took out sixth place eclipsing his previous 23 point result at the Air New Zealand Southern Cup Series at Coronet Peak in August 2007. He also won a FIS Super G race in Europe scoring a 25 point result.

Griffin leads a strong team of men including Mark Bridgwater, 22, of Christchurch; Tim Café, 20, of Queenstown; Scott Gange, 27, of Christchurch and New Zealand’s second ranked Slalom Skier Angus Howden, 26, of Wellington.

The women’s team is made up of Sarah Jarvis, 21, of Hamilton and Janelle Miller, 22, of Queenstown. Three other younger, new representatives have been selected to the team: Allie McGlinn of Christchurch; Harriet Miller – Brown, of Queenstown and Taylor Rapley, of Queenstown.

Jarvis is currently New Zealand’s top slalom skier, finishing the season ranked just outside the top 300 in the world, while Miller is the highest ranked New Zealander in giant slalom.

Ski Racing New Zealand CEO Simon Mills says McGlinn has put in some excellent results to warrant her selection and she is now ranked in the top 150 for her age in the world in three disciplines. Miller-Brown and Rapley have also performed well on the Northern Hemisphere circuit lowering their rankings and gaining them selection to the National Team.

“We are delighted with the calibre of the Volkswagen National Ski Team this season and we are expecting to see some good results at FIS races in New Zealand this winter”, says Mills. “It is especially encouraging to see some of our younger skiers performing so well internationally.”

Leighton Winsloe from Wanaka also meets the criteria for the team but has chosen to remain with his current programme for personal and educational reasons.

Alice Ralston, Auckland, Charlotte Newbold, Queenstown, and Lucie Tait-Jamieson, Auckland only narrowly missed out on the National Team selection being just outside the current selection criteria.

The Volkswagen National Development Team (under 19-years) include
Sophia Jamieson (Auckland) Charlotte Newbold (Queenstown) Jamie Prebble (Christchurch) Nick Prebble (Christchurch) Scott Chapman (Christchurch) Fraser McGlinn (Christchurch) Ben Jamieson (Auckland), Richard Stevens (Auckland) and Finlay Neeson (Taranaki).

Ski Racing NZ is a member of Snow Sports NZ.

For further information:

Simon Mills
021 766 558