Wednesday August 31: The competition at the Uni Snow Games might be heating up, but competitors are hopeful the temperatures will cool down, with more snow on the wish list of most.
Today’s (Wednesday August 31) Parallel Slalom offered challenging conditions for competitors, with firm snow making the course tough for many.
But the conditions didn’t stop some familiar names from dominating the Uni Snow Games results table, with several competitors picking up multiple medals throughout the week so far.
The Parallel Slalom saw competitors race two at a time down a steep Treble Cone course, which made for a competitive and enjoyable day on the slopes.
Uni Snow Games snow manager Blair Smith said while conditions were challenging, he was impressed with the front runners.
“It was a steep, tight and fast course with some really firm snow,” he said.
“It was pretty challenging and a few of the competitors had a tough time getting down.”
Otago University’s Charlotte Newbold, however, made light work of the course, to take her third gold of the Uni Snow Games so far. Courtney Tate and Frances Newbold made the female ski race an Otago University treble, taking second and third place. The trio also finished in that order in Sunday’s Giant Slalom and Monday’s Skier Cross.
In the male ski category, Auckland University’s Stefan Calder was the fastest – picking up his second gold of the Games, while Mikael Haysom, also representing Auckland University, was second and Dominic Campbell, of the University of Canterbury, was third.
The snow boarders had an even tougher time with the firm snow today (Wednesday August 31), but the best of the males was Otago University’s Marc Andri Riedi who has been posting some impressive results in the boarding events this week. Evan Smith got a silver medal for Waikato University and Hugo Webb, of Otago University, came in third.
In the female snow boarding Parallel Slalom, Hannah Orchard, of the University of Canterbury, picked up her fourth gold of the Games, finishing ahead of Otago University’s Estelle Baker and Deanne Kelly.
Smith was hopeful snow conditions would improve for tomorrow’s slope style at Treble Cone.
“There were a few flakes starting to fall as we were leaving the mountain, so we’re hoping for some fresh snow,” he said.
University Sport New Zealand National Events Manager Peter McDonald said, with three events to come, the competition was heating up. Standings after four events put Otago University as the leading campus, with the University of Canterbury in second.
Tomorrow’s (Thursday September 1) Uni Snow Games 'Racers Edge' slope style at Treble Cone will be followed by the Skull Candy-sponsored Big Air on Friday and Cross Country at Snow Farm on Saturday.
University Sport New Zealand is a Wellington-based not-for-profit organisation and is the only national sporting organisation for tertiary sport in New Zealand. For more information visit our website at www.universitysport.org.nz.
Uni Snow Games Parallel Slalom results:
Male ski: 1. Stefan Calder (Auckland University); 2. Mikael Haysom (Auckland University); 3. Dominic Campbell (University of Canterbury)
Female ski: 1. Charlotte Newbold (Otago University); 2. Courtney Tate (Otago University); 3. Frances Newbold (Otago University)
Male board: 1. Marc Andri Riedi (Otago University); 2. Evan Smith (Waikato University); 3. Hugo Webb (Otago University)
Female board: 1. Hannah Orchard (University of Canterbury); 2. Estelle Baker (Otago University); 3. Deanne Kelly (Otago University)
