Snow sports: Younger Koons on the rise

The New Zealand Cross Country Skiing Association has issued a race licence to United States-based cross-country skier Nils Koons (19), the younger brother of Winter Olympic team nominee Ben Koons (23).

The move follows recent strong performances that could see the younger Koons qualify alongside his brother for the February games in Vancouver.

The Koons brothers were born in New Zealand and grew up in Dunedin until their parents moved to the United States about nine years ago.

Both won cross-country skiing scholarships to Dartmouth College, where many of the country's top skiers are based and where Nils Koons is still studying.

Ben Koons has built up a New Zealand following through working and racing at the Snow Farm and competed at this year's Winter Games.

Ben Koons was the first New Zealand male cross-country skier to have achieved the sub-100 FIS point standard, which he did last month in Finland, and has been nominated for the Olympic team to be announced in late January.

NZCCSA spokesman John Burridge said yesterday, Nils Koons "staked his claim" on his first outing with his Kiwi licence at the recent West Yellowstone races, as part of the US super tour series.

Nils was racing for his college team and was placed 7th in the under-23 classic race (35th overall) and 10th in the under-23 freestyle.

Andrew Pohl, of Dunedin, also raced for his Rocky Mountain race club, finishing 14th in the under-23 freestyle.

"Andrew's FIS points were not good enough to bring down his average on this occasion but Nils' performance in the classic race was well below Olympic qualification level . . . but due to his late licence change, his FIS points are not yet registered," Mr Burridge said.

Nils needed to meet the standard in three more races but Mr Burridge said the skier also had to concentrate on his studies.

Meanwhile, rookie biathlete Olivia Thomson (14), of Wanaka, was "having a ball" in Austria, where she is attending an International Biathlon Union development camp at Hotel Schneeberg as an invited athlete.

Phillip Thomson reported his daughter had a great first race, although she was lacking in experience.

Her shooting statistics were up with the best and Olivia was learning the importance of good shooting to avoid the "killer" skiing penalty rounds, he said.