June 9th 2008 Newsletter

Issue 8/ 9th June 2008
Welcome to the first newsletter of the 2008 New Zealand winter and what a fantastic and exciting winter it promises to be. The Volkswagen National Championships at Coronet Peak looks to be the most enjoyable yet for both spectators and athletes, see the article below. The Volkswagen National Teams have been announced and their programme is just days away from starting, Coronet Peak is about to open its doors for the first time this year with lots of natural snow and Team members are gathering in Queenstown ready to begin their year. Don't forget to keep watch on the SRNZ website over the coming months to keep up to date with all the news. If you would like to get information out to our members SRNZ is only too happy to include your articles and information in its newsletters.
In this newsletter: Feature Team News From the office SSNZ News Athlete News
	FEATURE VOLKSWAGEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS This year Coronet Peak is going to host the Volkswagen National Championships and for the first time ever will include a Super G event and a night slalom. The provisional programme is: Thursday 28th August: Super Giant Slalom Friday 29th August: Giant Slalom Saturday 30th August: Night Slalom Sunday 31st August: Contingency Day Once again we are indebted to Volkswagen, Coronet Peak and the Queenstown Alpine Ski Team for supporting and hosting this event and to Wayne Cafe and his team for providing additional event assistance, without all of their help the event would not be what it is. We are also aiming to incorporate a Cocktail evening with the second run of the slalom providing an opportunity for the local community to come and see ski racing at its best. Watch this space for updates and further information.	Photo Copyright: Jolyon Ralston
	TEAM NEWS VOLKSWAGEN SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED Ski Racing NZ announced its Volkswagen National Ski Teams for the 2008, led by 20 year old, Ohakune resident Benjamin 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. SKI RACING NEW ZEALAND’S TOP ATHLETE INJURED Ski Racing New Zealand is sad to announce that current Volkswagen National Team Member and highest world ranked New Zealander, Ben Griffin was injured whilst training in Christchurch yesterday.	Ben Griffin in action before his accident.
	FROM THE OFFICE 2008 HANDBOOK The 2008 is being written as we speak if you would like to include anything from your club or organization in the 2008 Handbook, please contact Simon@skiracing.org.nz as soon as possible. BOARD VACANCY & DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS The AGM date has been set for Saturday 30th August at 9am (subject to Volkswagen Nationals Programme) and therefore following the SRNZ Constitution the deadline for nominations is 40 days prior on Monday 21st July and nominations for the vacancy must be received by SRNZ at 5pm on this day. Please send all to Simon@skiracing.org.nz. So far two expressions of interest have been received and forwarded to the clubs, other expressions are welcome but please note only official nominations from member clubs are acceptable. LATEST CALENDAR UPDATE Click the link below to view the latest General Manager’s Diary. ON LINE REGISTRATION This is progressing well and to date well over 100 people have utilized on line registration, for those of you yet to do it, click the link from our home page and remember the sooner you register the cheaper it is. Multi year registrations are also being processed and several families have used this securing the best rates, if you want to take up a multi year registration there is no charge for the off line processing of payment. Click the link to find out more.
	SSNZ NEWS SNOWSPORTS AWARDS DINNER Several of our athletes have been nominated for Alpine Skier of the Year 2007, nominations include Ben Griffin, Angus Howden, Tim Cafe, Janelle Miller, Sarah Jarvis with Nick Prebble nominated for up and coming Snow Sports Athlete of the Year and Mike Gould for Coach of the year. Tickets are still available to come and see who wins, contact Kristy@snowsports.co.nz for more information.
	ATHLETE NEWS GETTING READY FOR 2008 The winter is fast approaching and our athletes are getting ready for another round of training and racing, Coronet Peak is open and other fields will not be far behind. Please let us know how you and your team are getting on this year with updates and photos.


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