Winter Games: Let the Games begin

The Winter Games open today and, with a galaxy of stars competing, spectators are in for a treat. Earlier this week, Bobby Brown (above), of the US, showed his excellent form by winning the Volkl NZ Freeski Open at Cardrona. Brown was captured spinning through the air in this composite multiple-exposure photograph by Camilla Stoddart.

Late this afternoon, Queenstown will take centre stage as the long-awaited inaugural Winter Games NZ officially open.

It will be the resort's closest thing to an Olympic opening - with its own Queenstown flavour.

Winter Games NZ chairman Sir Eion Edgar said the anticipation was tangible.

"You have a dream and now it's a reality and you can see it.

"I'm very happy, I'm very excited . . . I think we are pretty organised. It's looking very good, I have to say."

Sir Eion said while, logistically, the Winter Games had the potential to be difficult, WGNZ chief executive Arthur Klap had done a fine job.

"I think Arthur and his team have done an excellent job and the wonderful thing is we go in every day and there seems to be more people [helping].

"He's very successfully just built up the team as demand has increased.

"The secret is to get a good board with a good cross-section of skills . . . and an outstanding chief executive.

"That's the amazing thing - until about three weeks ago, we had a staff of three full-time and two part-timers; that was it.

"It's amazing to achieve this on a budget of $3 million."

The action begins at 1pm at Earnslaw Park, in central Queenstown, with local bands the Cartel and the Mutz Nutz entertaining the crowd from an elevated stage.

At 4pm, the official opening ceremony will begin with "a very Queenstown flavour", expected to attract as many as 5000 people, Sir Eion said.

Skydivers will drop to the shore of Lake Wakatipu accompanied by a specially composed fanfare, which will also announce the arrival of the flag bearers - children from the area being transported by jet-boats.

Sir Eion said the opening would not feature a parade of nations as it was "a bit impractical".

"We are featuring the 30-something countries that will be there but we're not parading the teams. A lot of them are training but we are hoping a lot of them will be there, so we're quite excited about that.

"We want to make sure all the countries are represented.

"It will be a great atmosphere and we're expecting a large crowd - we've got athletes, sponsors, patrons, officials and the public."

Included on the guest list is Korean Olympic Committee director Ki-Young Jung and Dr Robin Mitchell, a member of the International Olympic Committee, who arrived in Queenstown yesterday.

Sir Eion said Dr Mitchell had flown from Switzerland to make the official opening and would leave on Sunday.

"It's lovely that they've made the effort to be here."

With everyone in position, a traditional powhiri [welcome] by members of Kai Tahu will take place, with one of the athletes representing the visitors accepting the challenge laid down by the wero ki nga manuhiri [warriors].

The Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand, will then formally declare the Games open before a fire show leads the procession of VIPs inside for an official reception.

The end of the official opening will be just the beginning of the party in Queenstown, with the Steamer Wharf set to be the centre stage for the family-friendly after-party.

Live music by the GCs and The Lynch Mob would keep the crowds entertained, with a range of food and drink stalls offering everything from fish 'n' chips to pizza breads and garlic prawns.

Steamer Wharf marketing manager Jo Smith said the entertainment and different dining options would create a fun night out for all the family.

"With the Winter Games set to be the biggest event in the southern hemisphere this winter, we're looking forward to welcoming the crowds and helping them have a good time."

Sir Eion said the Winter Games would be broadcast to a television audience of about 500 million over its duration.

"There are more channels that are taking it - for some of them, it will be 30-second clips, but that's a good thing.

"We've got snowsports and winter sports programmes [picking it up] and the ESPNs and [major players] who will be doing little clips.

"The bigger viewing audiences will be watching the sports and showing Coronet Peak, the Remarkables, Cardrona and Snow Farm in the background . . . the half pipe, or Big Air, those ones where the people are doing somersaults, will attract the greatest audience."

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Winter Games entertainment

While there will be action galore on the Queenstown and Wanaka skifields over the next nine days, there will also be plenty of entertainment on the ground in the resort.

TODAY
1pm-5pm: Winter Games opening ceremony, Earnslaw Park.

5pm-late: Opening ceremony party, Steamer Wharf.

8pm: Millen Baird Wedding Speeches, Memorial Hall; tickets $25.

8pm: Little Bushmen, Revolver; tickets $20.

9.30pm: Tiki Taane, Subculture; tickets $25.

TOMORROW
1pm: Kids slice of ice day, Queenstown Fun Centre; skate hire $10.

10pm: Joint Forces, Subculture; tickets $5 (pre-sale).

SUNDAY
1pm: BNZ winter family carnival, Earnslaw Park.

9pm: Wii snowboarding competition, Altitude.

Live music with Dulcet, Winnies.

MONDAY, AUGUST 24
Aussie Monday with DJ Jay, Winnies.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
9pm: Aftersnow, featuring The Blackspots, Skybar.