With the eyes of the world’s media on the Summer Olympics in China it’s hard to imagine that in less than two years the focus will move from east to west, to Vancouver, Canada and the Winter Olympics.

But move it will and before it reaches Vancouver, it will settle in Otago, New Zealand for the Winter Games NZ from August 28 – September 6. Over 850 of the world’s top winter sports athletes are due to compete in 25 disciplines, using it as a valuable training event for the 2010 Olympics. And with the world’s best come the world’s media.
 
With full coverage of Winter Games NZ already secured on Sky TV, Fox TV (Australia) and ESPN STAR (Asia) the level of media visibility around the world stands to be huge. Add to this the print, internet and radio coverage from at least all participating nations and snow sports will enjoy an audience of millions. In turn, this will raise athlete and sport profiles and the potential for corporate sponsorship, so essential for the continued growth of snow sports.
 
New Zealand and the spectacular arenas of Winter Games NZ will also be shown to the world through the various media streams. The historic city of Dunedin, the high country of the Maniototo and the alpine playground of the Southern Lakes will all host these elite sportsmen and women, their supporters and the media.
 
Winter Games NZ aims to be the best winter sports event in the world and it is proud to provide athletes with the freedom to compete in one of the world’s most beautiful natural settings. It is also honored to be able to showcase the achievements of these athletes through the world’s media channels. The event’s dedicated media team will ensure the world knows just how remarkable these athletes are and how spectacular New Zealand is as a winter sports destination.
 
We look forward to keeping you informed on all the latest news from Winter Games NZ as it develops.
 
Victoria Murray-Orr
Media Manager

NZ takes lead in FIS slopestyle initiative

Snowboarding takes another step up for the 2008/2009 season with introduction of the first LG FIS ANC Continental Cup Slopestyle. Due to take place at Cardrona Alpine Resort on September 3, 2008, the first event of the FIS Series is expected to attract international riders from around the world before moving on to South America, Europe and North America..
 
Unlike other FIS events, athletes can enter the LG Continental Cup Slopestyle as individuals as well as part of a national team so long as they are holders of a FIS license. This opens the competition up to athletes training and competing in New Zealand independently and giving them the opportunity to earn valuable FIS points.  

Snow Sports New Zealand is working closely with Winter Games NZ on this initiative, ahead of next year's Games. "Being chosen to host Australasia’s first-ever FIS slopestyle event is a tremendous coup for New Zealand and for Cardrona Alpine Resort,” said Ross Palmer, CEO of Snow Sports New Zealand. “It’s a great opportunity for up-and-coming New Zealand athletes to gain FIS points and, just as importantly, it positions New Zealand as a leader in snowboarding".   

International success at FIS ANC X-Country

A weekend of closely fought competition in excellent snow conditions saw both sprint and freestyle titles decided in the FIS Cross-Country Continental Cup at Snow Farm NZ on 16/17 August.     
On Saturday, Shohei Honda (JPN) took out the men’s sprint title in a race that was so close a photo finish was required to decide second and third place. Geoffroy Pais (FRA) had qualified for the finals in the fastest time of 1:50:90 for the 1km lap but could not repeat his speed in the finals falling to third place, a hair’s breadth behind Masaaki Kozu (JPN). In the women’s event, Bettina Gruber (SUI) qualified a convincing five seconds ahead of the rest of the field and went on to win the sprint title, ahead of Esther Bottomley (AUS) and Sandra Gredig (SUI).  

Fresh snowfall on Sunday created beautiful but slow conditions for the men’s and women’s freestyle races. Canadian national champion, Robin McKeever, won the men’s 10km title in a time of 26:58:36, just .07 of a second ahead of Japan’s Masaaki Kozu in a closely run race that saw Ben Sim (AUS) take third. Highest placed New Zealand, Nat Anglem, finished in 10th place in a field that included a number of World Cup level competitors.
 
Olympic bronze medalist, Milaine Theriault (CAN) continued her success from Thursday’s Classic event, taking out first place in the women’s 5km Freestyle in a comfortable win over Sumiko Ishigaki (JPN). New Zealand’s Katherine Calder completed the women’s podium in third place.
          
Upcoming Events  

NZ Free Ski Open <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?EveNZConsultancy/e31cb3522a/3ecd6ad77e/4c4cc5476e> , Lake Wanaka: 20-31 August   
 

FIS Super G, Coronet Peak: 28 August  
 
LG FIS Continental Cup Slopestyle, Cardrona: 3 September  
 
LG FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe, Cardrona: 6-7 September <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?EveNZConsultancy/e31cb3522a/3ecd6ad77e/9ce8028242>   
 
Winter Games NZ is delighted to announce the support of Jucy Rentals, NZ's friendliest, freshest, easiest and best value car and campervan rental company.
 

"The Winter Games are a unique event, never done before down under. Winter Games NZ will put New Zealand on the world stage and we at JUCY, along with our mascot, JUCY Lucy, will do what we can to make the games JUCIER! We are proud and honoured to be part of Winter Games NZ - it will have a long lasting positive impact for New Zealand," said Tim Alpe CEO of JUCY Rentals.
 
"JUCY is all about fun, friendliness and  good deals for cars and campas around New Zealand, focusing on value for money and extras for you the client like our Ski for Free deals.  JUCY without the "I", because we are all about U!"