Disabled Snowsports NZ Newsletter - September 2007
Index
Editor's NotePodium finishes for Kiwis at the Australian Nationals.
2007 Disabled Snowsports National Championship Awards
Notices & News
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Editor's Note
Earlier in the month I had the opportunity to see what the North island snow was like …a visit to Whakapapa and a brief catch up with the Back Up crew skiing at Whakapapa….Yesterday I met Luke – skiing at Cardrona with his family with an on-snow volunteer assisting him in the bi-ski, all enjoying the great snow and sunshine. It is great to meet some of the names I see when issuing DSNZ memberships, out there skiing – that’s what it is all about. As an organisation we have changes ahead, with some exciting possibilities to shape our future. The board of DSNZ is working on these changes and will communicate with all members over the next weeks. The snow is melting fast down here with the spring weather … so get out and make the most of the last bit of snow and warm sunny days. Thanks Libby
Podium finishes for Kiwis at the Australian Nationals.
Kiwis dominated at the Australian Nationals at Thredbo, Australia in August. Adam Hall (LW1) won Gold and Silver medals in his Slalom races with a Gold and Bronze in the Giant Slalom. Peter Williams (LW11) had a first and second place in his two Slalom races, with these placings repeated in the Giant Slalom races.
This was an IPC Continental Cup series, with points contributing to world rankings. Due to the quality of the Kiwi’s races, both athletes have improved their world rankings. With total focus on training and racing, Adam’s performance continues to step up. Now with an IPC Apline ranking of 7th in the world in Giant Slalom and 14th in Slalom, his focus is a medal in 2010 Paralympics.
Eligible to race in the World Cup series, Pete is now placed 23rd in Slalom, 35th in Giant Slalom and 45th in Super. This caps off a great season for Peter, recently announced as a member of the NZ Disabled Ski Team A squad for 2008. Both athletes will be based at Winter Park, USA over our summer, training and competing in NorAm races and on the World Cup circuit.
2007 Disabled Snowsports National Championship Awards
A huge thank you to all participants, friends of DSNZ, volunteers, instructors, coaches, board members, branch members, Patrons, funders and sponsors who helped make this such a fun Festival. We all had an awesome time. We look forward to seeing you there in 2008.
The 2007 Race Winners were: National Elite Mens Champion: Adam Hall National Elite Female Skier: Storm Blacklock National Elite Snowboarder: Carl Murphy National Social Male Skier: Travis Moffat National Social Female Skier: Tara Hurley National Social Snowboarder: Blair Neven The 2007 Award Winners were: NZ Disabled Skier of the Year: Adam Hall Elliot Cup: Adam Hall Viv Martin Trophy: Storm Blacklock The ACE BDR Award: Carl Murphy Army Trophy for improvement: Nicholas Jose Boyd Orr Trophy: Matt Wilson Branch Service: Al Wyeth Hall Trophy for National Service: Claire Lawson Photo: 2007 Trophy Winners – Adam Hall, Claire Lawson, Storm Blacklock and Carl Murphy.
Notices & News
In memoriam Sir Roy McKenzie 1922-2007 DSNZ Patron Sir Roy McKenzie, one of New Zealand’s leading philanthropists, and died at his Lowry Bay home on Saturday 1 September. Sir Roy McKenzie was the Patron and a long term benefactor of Disabled Snowsports New Zealand. He found out about our organisation nearly thirty years ago at Mt Hutt when he was watching a group of ski instructors teaching a blind boy to ski. Sir Roy’s ongoing financial support and Patron role has played a major part in the achievements of Disabled Snowsports over his many years involvement.
Farewell to Claire – CEO DSNZ Claire Lawson started her involvement with DSNZ as an on-snow volunteer, before joining the team as Administration Manager and then CEO. We thank her for her passion and professional dedication over the last five years, and wish her well in future endeavours.
Janine Elliot – Thank You Janine has been involved with Disabled Snowsports and Snowsports NZ over many years. She has contributed a huge amount to DSNZ including as a long standing board member, NZDST Manager and IPC representative. As Janine has resigned from the DSNZ Board, we wish to acknowledge her contribution and thank her.
Branch News
Canterbury branch has had a busy season with heaps of skiing days, weekends and trips away including a trip to Mt Dobson. Congratulations to Canterbury for winning the Trophy for Branch attendance at the 2007 Festival.
Wellington Branch members have been up to visit Whakapapa.
Auckland Branch has also had a great time on the slopes this season at Whakapapa.
Otago Branch members have been carving up the Cardrona slopes over the winter with organised trips from Dunedin. Members from all over the country have been enjoying the great snow….in the North Island great snow with some sunny days in amongst the grey. Down in the South, sun galore with the snow coming at intervals only when we thought it was almost gone.
On Mountain Adaptive Programmes A huge thank you and well done to all the staff at the five mountains around New Zealand that run adaptive snowsports programmes. Not only are these facilities, trained staff and volunteers utilised by DSNZ members but also many families and school groups with a disabled person. Through these programmes any person with a disability can come up to the mountain and experience snowsports. Visitors from overseas give fantastic feedback about these programmes, which allow them to come over and experience skiing in NZ. @ Cardrona, Mt Dobson, Mt Hutt, The Remarkables, Snow farm and Whakapapa.
Nordic Skiing - New Zealand has one of the best training facilities in the world for Nordic (cross country) skiing. Over the past months members of the US and Canadian Nordic disabled ski teams have been training at the Snow Farm. An experienced instructor and two Nordic sit skis await any Kiwi skier that wishes to give this a try – if you want a new experience why not have a go.
DSNZ AGM Disabled Snowsports AGM was scheduled for July 26th 2007. This was postponed and will be rescheduled for the end of October. All branches will be informed of the new date and 30 days notice given. Branches will be invited to appoint a representative to participate in a special meeting via teleconference. In the interim the existing Board will remain as the governing body of Disabled Snowsports NZ Ltd.
DSNZ wins Southern Lakes ACC Safety Awareness Award. The Southern Lakes ski fields in conjunction with ACC chose DSNZ’s safety awareness application, written by one of our members Tara Hurley, as the winner. Our prize is over $5000 worth of ski gear which will be used at one of the adaptive programmes or prizes at next years Festival.
KIA Drop Floor Minivan. The KIA Independence is a drop floor minivan conversion offering you a complete solution to your transport requirements, whether it is to drive your own vehicle or travel up front as a passenger. See their website for more details Kia Minivan
Craig Hobbs leaves Paralympics New Zealand Thanks to Craig for all his support and professionalism in his role as CEO of Paralympics NZ. PNZ AGM will be held on 29th September. Fiona Allen is Acting CEO at the moment.
DSNZ Members selected for Junior Games Paralympics
New Zealand will send a squad of 15 athletes 'with potential' to the Day of Difference Junior Games (& the 2007 National Junior Games for Athletes with a Disability). Over 300 junior athletes will attend the Games, which will be based at the Academy of Sport in Narrabeen, Sydney. The event runs from September 20 to October 7. DSNZ members selected include Connor Endrodi (Athletics) Otago and Jack Woods (Athletics) Canterbury.
For Sale – Adaptive Equipment
Mono Ski - Green Grove innovation, very light, great for racing and recreational skiing. Boot binding system, just attach a ski and away you go. Offers of interest e-mail. mpjwilliams@gmail.com
Mono Ski – Unique in North Island for sale – for details contact Andrew Wragge e-mail mwheels01@wave.co.nza
Mono Ski and Bi Ski Disabled Snowsports Wellington has one mono and one bi-ski for sale. Both are in good working. Anyone interested can contact DSNZ