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World University Winter Games - Update 1
Thursday, January 13th, 2005
The Opening Ceremony of the 22nd World University Winter Games took place earlier today in front of a 25,000 capacity crowd at the Tivoly Stadium in Innsbruck. The famous Austrian alpine city has been working for 5 years to deliver what promises to be the best ever Games:
- The Games were officially opened by Dr Heinz Fischer, the President of Austria, during a spectacular Ceremony entitled Frozen Heaven (photo of the lighting of the Games flame attached);
- Over 1600 competitors and officials from over 40 nations have already been accredited - making this the largest Winter Games to date - almost 2000 are expected in total from almost 50 countries;
- New Zealand has its largest ever delegation (16) attending the Games - see attached information;
- Elke Braun Elwert (Otago University - Skiing) was selected by her team-mates to be the NZ flag bearer at today’s Opening Ceremony;
- A sell-out crowd of 12,000 (see photo) saw Austria beat the USA 8-1 in their opening Ice Hockey pool game, Japan had earlier drawn 4-4 with the Czech Republic.
- If you wish to follow the action online click on the FISU website - or on the Organising Committee website
- Louise Corcoran (Otago University), New Zealand’s leading skeleton racer, is in great form for her Games competition having recently won the Austrian National Champs. Corcoran is currently ranked 16th in the latest World Cup standings.
