New Zealand

After the success of New Zealand's first ski mountaineering race series last winter, the 2008 series has been announced. The series will again be made up for 5 races, with the Ohau, Craigieburn and Turoa events all returning and new races added that will be held at Porters and Rainbow ski area's

The inaugural New Zealand ski mountaineering race series of 2007 was nothing less than a huge success. With over 90 competitors, over 4 races, the future of ski mountaineering races and more importantly the future of recreational backcountry skiers and boarders is looking very good in NZ.

Clear skies, strong winds, slick skin tracks and steep skiing all made for an excellent final race of the SCARPA ski mountaineering race series, the Marmot CraigieBurner on the 15th of September.
As most are aware the CraigieBurner, a race between Craigieburn and Broken River ski areas that uses the tows to gain vertical is a regular fixture in mid September. This year seen the return of the “Classic Burner” as well as a new “Race” division that used no tows to gain the vert.

Looks like finally we might get some good weather for a race, Saturdays weather is looking good at this stage.
A few changes from what was earlier posted on the CraigieBurner page a few months ago.

Temple BasinAnother shocking day of strong wind and heavy rain was not enough to keep away 13 hard core ski mountaineering racer's this past Saturday at the Deuter Temple Basin Randonnee Rally.
The course was again reduced to a shorter 300m version because of the weather. The Rec class did this once , with the Race class doing 2 laps. There were lots of transitions in the short race, that included 2 boot pack sections, a short uphill tussock climb, a creek crossing and a run along the trail from Temple lodge to Temple tow. The high light of the course was the steep boot pack up "Upper Leap In".
The race was wide open after last years Rando Rally winner, Gary, opted out of the race at the last minute. Gena, Jane and Duncan charged out at the start and all arrived at the bottom of the first boot pack together. Gena's speedy transition seen him break away from the lead group at this point. Duncan managed to hold off Noel for 2nd, while Noel made it in the top 3 for the second time in the series.
Jane had an easy win and defended her title after Kath pulled out, but only after Kath lost her skin, found her skin (and Reese's!) and then stopped to assist fellow racer Tristan.

ski mountaineering nz