Top New Zealand cross-country skier Katie Calder has won the
Australia New Zealand Continental Cup, after winning the
Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek, Australia, on Saturday.
The ANC Cup win means Calder, who has already qualified for
the Winter Olympics in Vancouver next year, has automatic
entry and some funding for World Cup races during the
northern hemisphere winter.
The Kangaroo Hoppet was the last of eight Continental Cup
series around the world endorsed by the International Ski
Federation.
It was held over a 25km course rather than the usual 42km,
because of wind and rain.
Australian Ben Sim, who performed well at the Winter Games
races, finishing fourth in the 15km classic and 10km skate
races, won the men's Kangaroo Hoppet, but it was not enough
to secure the ANC series win, which went to rival Thomas
Diezig (Switzerland).
Meanwhile, heavy snow and strong winds forced Treble Cone to
close yesterday, but members of an elite alpine ski team
based in Wanaka have their fingers crossed for a break in the
storm cycle so they can race this week.
Treble Cone Race Academy director Guenther Birgmann said
plans to host the academy's annual elite FIS races tomorrow
and Wednesday had not changed, but Thursday has been made a
"contingency day".
Among the international competitors are Christian Hogan
(Norway), Jon Olsson (Sweden), Kilian Albrecht (Bulgaria),
who all have top 30 world rankings.
British development team members are also expected to race.
At least one third of the field are members of the Treble
Cone Race Academy based in Wanaka.
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