Kiwis post strong results at the World University Winter Games

Harbin, China (March 9, 2009) The World University Winter Games (WUWGs) in Harbin, China have now concluded with the University Sport New Zealand (USNZ) team gaining strong results while competing in Alpine Skiing, Skiercross, Snowboarding and Short Track.

Up against world class competitors from World Championships and European Cup events, alpine ski racer Lucie Tait Jamieson, 20, Auckland, finished on a high placing 20th in giant slalom (GS), gaining 40 FIS points. Jamieson also placed 21st in slalom.

“All winter sports countries attend this event and Lucie competed really well against some of the world’s best.” said USNZ Team Manager Michael Forrestal. “The slalom course was extremely technical -28 competitors did not finish.”

USNZ teammate Monique Oosterbaan, 18, Auckland, finished 27th in slalom, and 49th in GS, while Emile Tait Jamieson, 22, Auckland, placed 40th in GS.
 
In snowboarding Georgina Allen, 20, Christchurch, placed eighth in boardercross, while Claire Nash, 24, Whangarei, posted ninth in halfpipe where she was up against a strong field world cup medalists.  Sarah Gillispe, 22, Wanaka, placed eight in skiercross.

Also known as the Winter Universiade, WUWG is held every two years under the auspices of FISU, the International University Sports Federation.  WUWG is second in size only to the Winter Olympics (2,300 at Innsbruck in 2005 and 2,500 at Torino in 2007) and comprises competition in 12 snow and ice sports/disciplines.

The next WUWG will take place in Ezarum, Turkey, in February 2011. Each person must be studying at least 2 papers in any one semester the year before the event or having just finished their degree.

More Information www.harbin2009.org or www.fisu.net

Snow Sports New Zealand (SSNZ) is the official governing body and National sports organisation representing all snow sports in New Zealand. University Sport New Zealand is an affiliate member of SSNZ.

University Sport New Zealand contact:
Michael Forrestal
+64 4 8023640
+ 64 21 2927933
Mforres@gmail.com

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