Torino Olympics 2006

PICTURE GALLERY

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February 26 2006

OLYMPIC TRAINING WITH WORLD ELITE SKIERS INVALUABLE

February 26 2006: New Zealand alpine skiing representative Mickey Ross (Oamaru/Wanaka) was looking for a better result in the Olympic men's slalom, but says the experience he has gained skiing alongside the powerful Austrians during pre-Olympic training, has been invaluable.

Ross finished in 31st place after after starting in 60th position in the 97 strong field. But he says a mistake, which saw him fall in the first run, cost him dearly.

"If you  make a mistake you pay for it on a course like this. Because of it I didn't really ski to my potential."

He completed the run in 1.03.30 which put in him in 49th place. A faster more consistent second run, clocked at 54.50, saw him 28th fastest in that run, giving him a combined time of 1.57.8. and an overall placing of 31.

February 25 2006

TOUGH CONDITIONS AT SESTRIERE FOR OLYMPIC

WOMEN'S GIANT SLALOM

February 25 2006:  Snow and foggy conditions contributed to an already challenging race at Sestriere for the womens' Olympic giant slalom and although both New Zealand representatives Nicola Campbell (Dunedin) and Erika McLeod (Auckland/Queenstown) attacked the course well they did not finish the race.

The giant slalom was won by American Julie Mancuso who regularly trains in New Zealand. Only 43 of the 65 strong field completed the two run course.

February 23 2006 CAMPBELL AND MCLEOD FLY THE NEW ZEALAND FLAG AT THE OLYMPICS February 22 2006: New Zealand skiers Nicola Campbell and Erika McLeod say skiing in the Olympic women’s slalom at Torino was an incredible experience and one they will never forget. Campbell finished 35th in the 64 strong field and McLeod was 40th. Campbell was delighted with her performance because slalom is not her best discipline.

February 21 2006

NEW ZEALAND SKIER DRAWS SHORT STRAW AT OLYMPIC GAMES

New Zealand skier Mickey Ross drew the short straw at the Olympic Winter Games. He will be the last member of the 18-strong team to compete, and that’s not until the final day of competition – next Sunday (New Zealand time).

February 20 2006

SKIERS' LONG WAIT NEARLY OVER AT OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES

The long wait is nearly over for New Zealand’s three Winter Olympic skiers, who compete in Turin later this week.

 The skiers – Nicola Campbell, Erika McLeod and Mickey Ross – have watched and waited while New Zealand’s curlers, snowboarders, skeleton and bobsleigh riders have opened their Olympic campaigns.

Feb 12 2006
WINTER OLYMPICS BOUND!

New Zealand will be represented by three alpine skiers at the Winter Olympics in Torino in February. Nicola Campbell: Super G, Giant Slalom & Slalom Erika McLeod: Giant Slalom & Slalom Mickey Ross: Slalom All three have been training and racing in the Northern Hemisphere with the Volkswagen National Men's and Women's teams in the build up to the Olympics. They will head to the Olympic Village with their coaches Eric Rolland (womens) and Nils Coberger (mens) in time to take part in the opening ceremony on February 10.

January 20 2006
NEW ZEALAND ELITE SKI RACERS TO PERFORM ON OLYMPIC STAGE

January 18 2006: Ski Racing New Zealand says the selection of its three elite athletes, Nicola Campbell (Dunedin) , Erika McLeod (Auckland/Queenstown) and Mickey Ross (Oamaru) to the New Zealand Winter Olympic team to compete at Torino in Italy in February represents a culmination of many years of hard work.