22 September 2005: 

CAMPBELL TAKES OUT ANC GIANT SLALOM

New Zealand representative Nicola Campbell (Dunedin), fresh from winning the Volkswagen Alpine National Ski Championships giant slalom title last week, has won the first of the Australia New Zealand Cup (ANC) giant slaloms held at Turoa yesterday.

Campbell was a clear winner three seconds ahead of second placed Kirsten McGarry of Ireland. Campbell clocked 1.42.34 to McGarry's 1.45.34. Switzerland's Nicole Kuster was third in 1.46.52, just heading off New Zealand women's team member Sarah Jarvis (Hamilton) in fourth place.

Campbell's 29.46 point result was her best to date and will assist her in her bid for selection to the 2006 New Zealand Winter Olympic team. She is currently ranked 290 in the world in giant slalom.

The men's race was dominated by internationals with top honours going to Bryce Stevens of Australia. It was a closely fought tussle for the top four placings with Stevens finishing in 1.40.11, Bjoergvin Bjoergvinsson of Iceland was second in 1.40.28, and Australians Bradley Wall in 1.40.33 and Jonathon Brauer in 1.40.79.

The first New Zealander was James Arnott of the national men's team (Queenstown) in eighth place with a combined time of 1.44.11. Last week's winner of the national giant slalom title Mickey Ross (Oamaru) didn't finish the second run putting him out of contention.

The current ANC races at Turoa are the finals for the series but have been interrupted by bad weather. Only one giant slalom has been held so far with another giant slalom and two slaloms scheduled. Racing has been postponed today.

Giant slalom results were:

Men: B.Stevens (Aus) 1.40.11. 1, B.Bjoergvinsson (Iceland) 1.40.28 2, B.Wall (Aus) 1.40.33 3, J.Brauer (Aus) 1.40.79 4, H.Stevens (Aus) 1.41.70 5, L.Deane (Aus) 1.42.78 6, W.Clifford (Aus) 1.43.92 7, J.Arnott (NZE) 1.44.11 8, A. Howden (NZE) 1.44.53 9, B.Griffin (NZE) 1.44.92 10.

Women: N.Campbell (NZE) 1.42.34 1, K.McGarry (Ireland) 1.45.34 2, N.Kuster (Switzerland) 1.46.52 3, S.Jarvis (NZE) 1.46.81 4, I.Busterud (Norway) 1.46.84 5, B.Taylor NZE /CHCH) 1.47.25 6, S.Sauvey (Aus) 1.48.99 7, T.Crewes (Aus) 1.49.01 8, S.Kennedy (Aus) 1.49.08 9, K.Dunleavy (NZE) 1.49.94 10.