Skiing: Telemark series launched

Bob Meyer, of Colorado, takes on a telemark ski race slalom course at a first of its kind race...
Bob Meyer, of Colorado, takes on a telemark ski race slalom course at a first of its kind race meet at Treble Cone on Sunday. Photo supplied.
A first of its kind telemark ski race series launched itself from the starting gates at Treble Cone, near Wanaka, during the weekend.

The series is the idea of Treble Cone snow school director Tim Williams who wanted to organise a race to cater for the growing numbers of telemark skiers.

No other skifield in the area offered telemark skiers the chance to race against each another, he said.

Telemark skiers use different bindings, equipment and techniques to standard downhill skiers.

Telemark bindings are connected only at the toe of a boot and leave the heel free to pivot, which means a crouching style is used to make turns when skiing downhill.

Williams said the three-race telemark series would run alongside other events at Treble Cone, such as the snowboarding banked slalom (August 15) and the off-piste challenge (August 29).

The first telemark race attracted a moderately-sized field and was won by Treble Cone groomer driver Griffin Judy.

Second was Bob Meyer, of Colorado, and third Craig McDowell, of Newcastle, Australia.

 

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