Northern Hemisphere First Race

New Zealand Ski Team Members Compete in First Race of Northern Hemisphere Season on their Path to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Within days of arriving in Europe, The New Zealand men, led by Ohakune’s Ben Griffin have just completed their first Europa Cup Race of the Northern Hemisphere season, a Super G held on Reiteralm (AUT) on Monday.

Altogether 115 racers started and 89 were ranked. For many racers, including many World Cup athletes, the November Europa Cup competitions provide a great opportunity for an early season fitness check. A second super-G was held on Tuesday morning.
Top podium placing in the first Men’s Super G went to Patrick Küng (SUI) with a time of 1:15.58.  Tuesday’s race saw Petr Zahrobsky (CZE) in first place with a time of 1:15.84.

Under the direction of coach, Nils Coberger, Griffin was joined by Angus Howden, of Wellington, and Tim Café, of Queenstown.
Howden placed 76th in Monday’s race followed by Griffin in 78th place and Cafe in 85th.  Griffin was the only member to compete in Tuesday’s race and placed 86th.

Snow Sports NZ Alpine Director, James R. Lazor commented “This was a great opportunity for the NZ men to get their first race underway for the Northern Hemisphere season. The event was used as a SG training session and they are in good spirits and now looking forward to some GS training.”

Snow Sports New Zealand is the official governing body and National Sports Organisation representing all snow sports in New Zealand. Ski Racing New Zealand is a member of Snow Sports New Zealand.

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