Press Releases

2 March 2007

Hall wins prestigious Wells Fargo World Disabled Invitational

Otago Paralympian Adam Hall has finished his season with a win at the Wells Fargo World Disabled Invitational at Winter Park USA today.

Hall, who won this race two years ago, added this win and three slalom medals to his tally this year.

The Invitational is the only race in which disabled skiers compete head-to-head on parallel courses. The start wands open according to a factor determined by each skier's disability, so certain racers are delayed at the start and have to "catch" their competitor on the course.

Hall returns home with silver and bronze medals from the North American Series and bronze from the Far East Cup in Korea.

This has been a record season for the New Zealander, which has seen him climb rapidly up the world rankings. He is currently ranked 15th from 39th in the world for giant slalom and 21st from 36th in slalom.

"He is the most determined athlete in our team. Probably as far as commitment and determination go, he's one of the best in the world," said his coach at Winter Park, Hiro Taniguchi.

"That's why he steps up huge every year even though this is only his third year on skis. He is very proud of being kiwi and represents NZ pretty good."

Hall said his Paralympic experience was important.

"Torino was a huge learning curve for me and it has changed my attitude towards skiing, it's all about how bad you want it, to get results."

His training regime includes a early morning gym session, full day's training and evening gym recovery session.

Up and coming skier Peter Williams (Auckland), a mono-skier who also has Spina Bifida, enjoyed his first full northern winter season and is starting to show some good form, achieving a fifth placing in the slalom at the North American Meridian Cup and 13th in his first international giant slalom at the Korean Far East Cup.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF NZ WINTER SPORTS BY SPORTS MEDIA NZ

For interviews contact: Mark Elliott, Performance Director, NZ Winter Performance Programme Tel 03 4435989 Mob 021 435989
For further information contact: Ian Hepenstall, Sports Media NZ, Tel 0275 613181

Past Articles

Home /News /Press Releases